WASHINGTON — Amit Bose has been named deputy administrator for the Federal Railroad Adminstration and Nuria Fernandez the deputy administrator of the Federal Transit Administration, part of a group of more than three dozen appointments to the U.S. Department of Transportation announced today by the Biden Administration.
“This experienced team looks forward to getting right to work on behalf of the American people to deliver on policies and projects that will create jobs, equitably serve all Americans, and meet the climate crisis,” Carlos Monje Jr., senior advisor to the Secretary of Transportation and acting Chief of Staff, said in a press release, which includes the complete list of appointments. “President Biden has been clear: stronger infrastructure is a key to building our country back better than it was before.”
Bose has previously served as the FRA’s deputy administrator and chief council, with involvement in the Northeast Corridor’s Gateway project and California high speed rail. He has worked at NJ Transit and the New Jersey Department of Transportation, and most recently was at infrastructure design firm HNTB Corp.
Amtrak board chairman Tony Coscia said in a statement that Bose “will be a great addition to the Federal Railroad Administration. His extensive experience in transportation policy, law, and management will be an asset to the Biden Administration. Mr. Bose understands the importance of investing in infrastructure to support economic recovery and keeping America’s railroad system reliable and safe.”
Fernandez, who resigned Tuesday as CEO of California’s Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority to accept the DOT position, has a lengthy transit resume, including executive positions at New York’s Metropolitan Transportation Authority, the Chicago Transit Authority, and the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority.
Other rail-related appoints include Diana Lopez, senior advisor to the administrator, FRA, and Subash Iyer, chief counsel, FTA.
Lana Hurdle, deputy assistant secretary for budget and programs, is serving as acting Secretary of Transportation until nominee Pete Buttigieg is confirmed.
— Updated at 12:10 p.m. CST with Amtrak statement.
