'I love OC Transpo': Transit Services boss says she has no intention of leaving city of Ottawa
OC Transpo general manager Renée Amilcar says she has no intention of leaving the city of Ottawa, releasing a statement hours after a U.S. media report named her as a candidate to take over as head of the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority.
"I love my job and I love OC Transpo," Amilcar said Friday evening.
WBZ-TV in Boston reported Amilcar is a "top-tier candidate" for the job with the transit service in the Greater Boston area, which has been vacant since January.
In a memo to members of council and transit employees Friday night, Amilcar said she has not been contacted by any American public transit agencies for potential job opportunities.
"I remain fully committed to continuously improving OC Transpo services for the residents of Ottawa; I have no intention of leaving my current role as the General Manager of Transit Services at the City of Ottawa," Amilcar said.
"The OC Transpo team is remarkable, and I’m very proud of the work we do. I love my job and I love OC Transpo."
Amilcar arrived at OC Transpo in October 2021, succeeding John Manconi as head of Ottawa's transportation system. Amilcar was previously the executive director of bus services for the Société de Transports Montréal.
A spokesperson for Mayor Mark Sutcliffe said the mayor was not able to comment on the reports about Amilcar Friday afternoon. Interim City Manager Wendy Stephanson told CTV News Ottawa the city was not able to comment on unconfirmed reports.
"Renée Amilcar is an important transit leader and strong member of the City’s senior management team," Stephanson said in a statement late Friday afternoon.
Amilcar said she returned from a conference for the International Association of Public Transport in Europe Friday evening as reports circulated about her future at OC Transpo.
The Governor of Massachusetts appoints the general manager of the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority. Former MBTA general manager Steve Poftak stepped down in January.
The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority is one of the oldest public transit systems in the U.S. and the largest transit system in Massachusetts. It provides subway, bus, Commuter Rail, ferry and paratransit service to eastern Massachusetts and parts of Rhode Island.
WBZ-TV says MBTA serves around 160 million riders annually on four subway lines and 171 bus routes.
OC Transpo reported 50.3 million passenger trips on the O-Train and buses in 2022.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Canada Post cracks down on Nunavut loophole to get free Amazon Prime shipping
Amazon's paid subscription service provides free delivery for online shopping across Canada except for remote locations, the company said in an email. While customers in Iqaluit qualify for the offer, all other communities in Nunavut are excluded.
'My family doctor just fired me': Ontario patients frustrated with de-rostering
Dozens of Ontarians are expressing frustration in the province’s health-care system after their family doctors either dropped them as patients or threatened to after they sought urgent care elsewhere.
Potentially toxic chemicals hide in our drinking water and countless household objects, and they're not going anywhere
For decades, North Bay, Ontario's water supply has harboured chemicals associated with liver and developmental issues, cancer and complications with pregnancy. It's far from the only city with that problem.
'It was violent': Police tear down U of A pro-Palestinian encampment Saturday morning
Multiple people at the protest camp torn down at the University of Alberta campus Saturday say police's actions against protesters were "violent" and "disproportionate."
'I am angry': Alberta farmers will continue fight over world class motorsport resort
The rolling hills leading to the hamlet of Rosebud are dotted with sprawling farms and cattle pastures -- and a sign sporting a simple message: No Race Track.
Election deniers: West Virginia voters must pick from GOP candidates who still dispute 2020 election
When West Virginia Republicans vote in Tuesday's primary, they will have a hard time finding a major candidate on the ballot in any statewide race who openly acknowledges that U.S. President Joe Biden won the 2020 election.
Adopted daughter in the Netherlands reunited with sister in Montreal and mother in Colombia, 40 years later
Two daughters and a mother were reunited online 40 years later thanks to a DNA kit and a Zoom connection despite living on three separate continents and speaking different languages.
Man ticketed after allegedly trespassing again at Drake's Bridle Path mansion to get his bike
A man who tried to access Drake’s Bridle Path mansion earlier this week returned to the property Saturday and was apprehended again for allegedly trespassing, Toronto police say.
'Reimagining Mother's Day': Toronto woman creates Motherless Day event after losing mom
Mother's Day can be a difficult occasion for those who have lost or are estranged from their mom.