Eng named MBTA's new GM

Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey has appointed Phillip Eng general manager of the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority, effective April 10.

A 40-year veteran of the transportation industry, Eng is the former president of the MTA Long Island Rail Road, where he served from 2018 to 2022, and interim president of MTA New York City Transit.

Eng began his career in the 1980s at the New York State Department of Transportation, where he worked his way through the ranks, ultimately serving as executive deputy commissioner and chief engineer. Later, he served as chief operating officer for the Metropolitan Transportation Agency.

Since June 2022, Eng has been executive vice president of The LiRo Group, where he advises public- and private-sector clients on engineering, transportation and infrastructure projects, and has worked with multiple Northeast public transportation clients, including the MBTA.

"Phil Eng is the proven leader the MBTA needs to improve safety and reliability across the system and restore the public’s trust,” said Healey in a press release. "He understands that a functioning transportation system is essential to a functioning economy, and he has a track record of taking the reins of struggling public transit systems and dramatically improving service.”

Interim MBTA GM Jeff Gonneville will assist with the transition to new management. As GM, Eng succeeds Steve Poftak, who resigned Jan. 3.

"It’s time for a new way of doing business at the MBTA," said Eng. "As an engineer, a transportation professional for 40 years, and a commuter myself, I’m laser focused on finding innovative solutions to complex problems and approaching them with a sense of urgency that always puts the customer first."