TriMet General Manager Neil McFarlane will retire after more than seven years at the helm of Oregon’s largest public transit provider. McFarlane, age 65, announced on Wednesday, Oct. 18, 2017, that he would retire in early 2018. McFarlane has been with TriMet since February 1991, serving as general manager since July 1, 2010. The agency and TriMet’s Board of Directors will now launch an international search for the next general manager, including holding listening sessions with community stakeholders and soliciting public feedback.
Under McFarlane’s leadership, TriMet has become an important partner in the efforts to create livable communities and keep the Portland region moving, garnering the respect of national transportation leaders. Through his years of service, he led the expansion of TriMet’s light rail system, which has become a national model for integrating land use and transportation planning, policy and development.
As general manager, McFarlane began a 10-year expansion of bus service and laid the groundwork for future service enhancements to meet the needs of our growing communities. He led the agency’s recovery from the great recession and put TriMet on a strategic financial path. He championed a culture of safety and continuous improvement inside TriMet. McFarlane fostered a commitment to diversity, equity and cultural competence. And, he pushed the agency forward on investments and innovations to improve service and the overall customer experience, while reinvesting in the existing system.
“It has been an honor to serve as general manager these past seven years,” said McFarlane. “I want to thank all the employees past and present, the TriMet Board of Directors and the community partners who’ve contributed to our successes, helped us overcome challenges and understood how vital transit is to keeping the region moving. My work is not yet done. TriMet has a bright and busy road ahead and I pledge to continue in high gear until my last day.”
“On behalf of the Board of Directors, I want to thank Neil for his hard work and dedication to this agency,” said President of the TriMet Board of Directors, Bruce Warner. “Neil’s leadership guided the agency out of the Great Recession, improved financial stability and built the foundation to successfully expand service and modernize the system.”
Growing transit for growing communities
During his years at TriMet, McFarlane helped lead the expansion of the MAX Light Rail System from a single line, 15-mile system to the five-line, 60-mile system that serves communities from Hillsboro to Gresham and north Portland to Clackamas County. He also brought the first commuter rail line to Oregon and made a lasting mark on TriMet’s bus system.
