Robert (Bob) Babbitt, president of McDonald Transit, has officially announced his retirement, effective October 31, 2016. Babbitt will continue to stay involved in McDonald Transit, working as a consultant and helping ensure a smooth transition to new leadership.
Babbitt started with McDonald Transit in 1977 in the position of management intern and worked his way up the organization in both operating and administrative positions serving in such roles as general manager of Abilene Transit System, manager of administration for Fort Worth Transportation Authority and for a decade as executive director of Nashville MTA. He was appointed chief financial officer of McDonald Transit in 1981 and, in 2002, was named president of McDonald Transit.
Under Babbitt’s leadership, the McDonald Transit team has expanded operations to 17 states serving a total of 32 fixed route, para transit and shuttle clients, generating over $100 million in annual revenues. McDonald Transit’s largest operation is in Austin, Texas, for Capital Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Capital Metro) carries over 21 million customers each year.
In 2009, McDonald Transit entered into agreement with RATP Dev America, a subsidiary of RATP Group, a global transportation company. Babbitt led the recapitalization of McDonald Transit and the modernization of the company’s technology. With RATP Dev America, he formed a streetcar operating subdivision known as RDMT which operates streetcars in Washington DC and Tucson, Arizona, a new market for McDonald Transit.
Babbitt has also represented McDonald Transit in industry associations, he served as a long time member of the Financial Management and Policy and Planning Committees of the American Public Transit Association, and as an active member in the South West Transit Association.
“Bob Babbitt is a transportation expert with a rare mix of customer and business skills.” said Francois-Xavier Perin, chief executive officer of RATP Dev. “I want to thank Bob for his long and successful career at McDonald Transit, and for the service he provided to our clients and customers. I wish Bob all the best in his retirement.”
Catherine Chardon, chief executive officer of RATP Dev America added, “Bob was an integral part of the transition when RATP Dev acquired 51% of McDonald Transit. His knowledge of the industry and dedication to customer service is outstanding.”
“It has been a privilege to have served as President of McDonald Transit”, Babbitt said. “My focus has been on providing both quality and cost-effective customer service. Throughout my career, I have been able to work with exceptional employees. My goal was to exceed client and customer expectations, and I accomplished that with the help of the dedicated people at McDonald Transit. I look forward to this next phase in my career and to continuing to work with McDonald Transit as a consultant.”
Ken Fischer, senior vice president of business development will serve as Interim President while the company carries out a search for a successor. Ken has 37 years of transit experience and has managed the system named “Best Managed Transit System in North America” by the American Public Transport Association.
