USA: Darren Kettle has been selected as the next Chief Executive Officer of Los Angeles commuter rail operator Metrolink, the Southern California Regional Rail Authority announced on July 23.
Joining with effect from September 7, he succeeds Arnold Hackett, who has been acting as Metrolink’s interim CEO since Stephanie Wiggins was appointed CEO of the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority in May.
Operating a 866 km commuter rail network serving 62 stations across six counties, Metrolink has embarked on a $10bn capital programme to improve rail services in the region ahead of the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games. The agency says it has so far received $2·8bn in funding towards the Southern California Optimized Rail Expansion project.
Since 2007, Kettle has served as Executive Director of the Ventura County Transportation Commission, one of the five regional transport agencies that form the Metrolink joint powers authority. He was previously Director of Freeway Construction for the San Bernardino Associated Governments, and Director of Intergovernmental & Legislative Affairs for both SANBAG and the Riverside County Transportation Commission.
‘I am excited to join Metrolink as the new CEO and want to thank the board for their vote of confidence’, said Kettle. ‘Over the years I’ve had the chance to work with Metrolink as a regional partner. Now, I look forward to leading the executive team and the entire staff to continue its customer-first approach and rebuild ridership lost during the pandemic. We will showcase the agency’s value and essential role in connecting people seven days a week to their places of work and recreation. Metrolink is an integral part to the lives of Southern Californians. I am also enthusiastic to be part of Metrolink as we prepare to welcome local and global fans to the Games in 2028.’
