Fernandez Confirmed as FTA Administrator

Nuria Fernandez has been confirmed by the U.S. Senate to serve as administrator of the Federal Transit Administration.

She had been serving as acting administrator since she was appointed deputy secretary on Jan. 20.

Fernandez previously served as general manager and CEO of the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority in California; as chief operating officer of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority in New York; and senior vice president of design and construction for the Chicago Transit Authority and the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority.

She has also served as chair of the American Public Transportation Association.

FTA Issues Red Tape Cutting Rule

Final rules were issued this week by the Federal Transit Administration that seeks to prompt private sector funding of transit projects.

The Private Investment Project Procedures seeks to identify FTA regulations, practices, procedures or guidance that may impede a public-private partnership or private investment in a project.

The FTA administrator now has the discretion to grant a modification or waiver of a requirement if certain criteria are met.

However, this will not include requirements mandated by the National Environmental Policy Act or any other provision of other federal statutes.

Drake Gets Committee OK to Head FTA

Thelma Drake has won Senate committee approval to be administrator of the Federal Transit Administration.

Only one member of the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing and Urban affairs voted against her.

That was Senator Bob Menendez (D-New Jersey) who said Drake had changed her position on the importance of Amtrak’s Gateway project in New York and New Jersey. The project includes replacing aging rail tunnels beneath the Hudson River.

During a hearing, Drake said in response to a question from Menendez whether she considered Gateway to be a project of national significance that she viewed it as “a very significant project” but wanted to review it.

“This is a different answer than you gave me in my office,” Menendez replied. “In my office, you told me, ‘Yes, this is a nationally important project,’ ”

Drake was nominated last February by President Donald Trump to head the FTA. Her nomination must now be approved by the full Senate.

Drake Named to Head FTA

A former member of Congress from Virginia has been nominated to head the Federal Transit Administration.

Drake

The Trump administration has named Thelma Drake to serve as FTA administrator. She is currently an assistant director of public works for Norfolk, Virginia.

In addition to having represented the Second District from Virginia in the House from 2005 to 2009, Drake is a former director of the Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation.

During her time at DRPT, Drake helped implement new processes and performance metrics that streamlined the department’s operations and enhanced accountability for its projects, said a news release issued by the White House.

A Republican, while in Congress Drake served on the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee.

Drake also worked at the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority and Virginia Railway Express. She is a former member of the Virginia Commonwealth Transportation Board.

Before taking over the FTA, Drake must be confirmed by the U.S. Senate.

In a statement, the American Public Transportation Association lauded Drake’s transportation experience.

“Drake has hands-on experience with public transportation issues at the city, state and national levels. We hope for a swift confirmation of this critical position.” said APTA President and Chief Executive Officer Paul Skoutelas.