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Release Date: Feb. 23, 2022
Media Hot Line: 713.739.4040  |  Email: Media@ridemetro.org

Sanjay Ramabhadran Takes the Helm as New Chair of METRO Board of Directors

METRO Board of Directors welcome new Board Chair Sanjay Ramabhadran.

Another historic leadership transition has come to the METRO Board. Today, METRO's Board of Directors unanimously approved Mayor Sylvester Turner's board chair nomination and welcomed Sanjay Ramabhadran (pronounced Rahm-bud-run) to lead the agency's nine-member Board. Ramabhadran has been on the board since May 2015. Still, his appointment is notable as he is the first Indian-American to serve in this role.

"It's an honor of a lifetime to be able to serve the city of Houston and the rest of the greater Houston region," said Ramabhadran. "I truly appreciate the confidence and trust [the mayor has] placed in me to be able to build upon the last several years under Chair Carrin Patman's leadership."

Ramabhadran has served in senior executive / board roles at global and regional engineering firms and has 25 years of experience in public infrastructure consulting. He has been on the Board of METRO for many of its bold transformations. This includes the launch of the New Bus Network in 2015, the passage of the METRONext Moving Forward Plan, $3.5 billion bond referendum in 2019, and opening of the region's first bus rapid transit, METRORapid Silver Line.

Ramabhadran also served as chair of the Capital & Strategic Planning Committee and a member of the Finance & Audit Committee.

"The continued economic growth of our region is going to be inextricably tied to the investments we will make in improving our quality of life," said Ramabhadran. "And public transportation is a huge part of improving that quality of life."

The outgoing chair, Carrin Patman, also made history as the first woman to lead the METRO board. She received a proclamation from the METRO Board of Directors for her leadership and many accomplishments. That extensive list includes leading the effort to adopt the METRONext Moving Forward Plan and getting the bond referendum approved by nearly 70% of voters.

"It's been a profound honor to serve with you all and to lead an agency of such quality and dedicated people," said Patman. "My heart is very full. Thank you."

The Metropolitan Transit Authority of Harris County (METRO) is the region’s largest public transit provider, offering safe, clean, reliable, accessible and friendly transportation services. METRO’s transit network includes local bus, METRORail, which includes the Red Line (Main Street and Northline), the Green Line (East End) and the Purple Line (Southeast), Park & Ride commuter buses, METROLift paratransit service, HOV/HOT Express Lanes, Community Connector shuttle service and METRO Star Vanpool. In 2020, the Authority introduced the METRORapid Silver Line, the region’s first bus rapid transit service. Bike & Ride programs and road improvement projects are also part of METRO’s commitment to the Houston region. Focused on investing in the region’s future mobility needs, the Authority developed the METRONext Moving Forward Plan. METRO is also the first transit provider in the region to pilot autonomous vehicle shuttle technology. Learn more about METRO services at RideMETRO.org, where you will also find useful tools like the RideMETRO app where you can plan your trip and even pay your fare from your phone.