Mike Weil has been named interim chief safety officer of Southwest Ohio Regional Transit Authority (SORTA/Cincinnati Metro), where he is tasked with overseeing the safety and security of Cincinnati Metro’s fixed-route and Access transit operations, its facilities, employees and customers. He also serves as liaison to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, the regional Emergency Management Agency and local law enforcement.
Weil most recently served as Cincinnati Metro’s director of security, where he led the development, implementation and evaluation of Metro’s comprehensive system security, including emergency preparedness and continuity of operations planning for bus and paratransit services.
Weil is also responsible for the authority’s Cincinnati Police detail program and the agency’s Transit Security Grant Program initiatives. Under his direction, Cincinnati Metro earned the national Gold Award for Security Excellence, the top honor among mid-size transit systems, from the American Public Transportation Association (APTA) in 2014, 2015, 2018 and 2020. The APTA Bus Safety & Security Excellence Awards recognize innovative and proactive safety and security programs conducted by public transport providers.
“In his more than 26 years at Metro, Mike has demonstrated a record of success in developing innovative solutions that improve the safety and security of Metro’s passengers, our employees and our entire community,” said Cincinnati Metro CEO and General Manager Darryl Haley. “The safety and security of our passengers is our top priority, and we work hard to ensure that all riders have a safe and secure experience every trip. We look forward to the contributions that Mike will make in this role.”
Weil began his career with the transit authority in 1994 as a transit operator and has been promoted to positions that include transit traffic controller, facilities foreman and facilities manager.
He is a member of the Ohio Public Transit Association security subcommittee, where he shares best practices and assists other transit agencies in developing their organizational security programs.
Weil is Public Transportation Safety Training Program (PTSCTP) certified, which includes Transit Safety and Security Program (TSSP) certifications in both bus and rail. He holds a Bachelor of Applied Science degree in Business Administration and Management from Kennedy Western University.
