The Comet announced July 24 that Bob Schneider will leave his position as general manager for Veolia Transportation to work directly for the transit authority as its executive director.
Schneider has led the transit agency in dual roles as executive director and general manager for Veolia since 2011.
“Dr. Schneider has served us well with his unbridled energy and passion, not just for transit, but for the Midlands as a whole,” said Brian DeQuincey Newman, chairman of The Comet’s board. “By reporting directly to the board, he will do even more great things for our community.”
The board is currently considering a new contract with a private company to operate the system, a role Veolia Transportation has played since 2011. Because of his association with the company, Schneider has played no role in the RFP process for choosing an operating company, and Newman stressed that Schneider would continue to exempt himself from that process going forward.
“This really is a once-in-a-career opportunity to build a world class transit system this community deserves from the ground up,” Schneider said. “I don’t want to do anything else for anyone else anywhere else.”
“We are excited about the transit expertise that Bob brings to our uniquely urban, uniquely rural county,” said Kelvin Washington, The Comet board vice chair and chairman of Richland County Council. “His excitement is contagious, and we look forward to expanding the system under his leadership.”
