TransLink appears to have found its new CEO, Global News has learned.
An announcement is scheduled Wednesday to name Kevin Desmond as the new head of TransLink. Desmond previously served as general manager of King County Metro Transit in Washington state.
Desmond made the equivalent of about $200,000 a year with King County Metro back in 2012. He has also served as the chief of operations planning for New York City Transit, which includes bus and subway operations.
Desmond will have no shortage of challenges to face in his new role.
The controversial Compass Card system generated complaints in January as many riders experienced problems loading money onto their cards. All this after the card system came in nearly two-and-a-half years behind schedule and over budget.
TransLink has also experienced a string of SkyTrain shutdowns. In some cases, riders forced their way off trains and walked the rails.
TransLink removed CEO Ian Jarvis following last year’s failed transit plebiscite, but then paid him to stay on as an advisor.