Cooney is new chair of California Transit Association

San Diego Metropolitan Transit System (MTS) chief executive officer Sharon Cooney was recently named chair of the executive committee for the California Transit Association.

Cooney was already a dedicated member of the committee, having previously served as vice chair during the 2021-2023 term. She also led the association’s finance and management committee and transit operations funding subcommittee. The subcommittee steered the association’s recent statewide advocacy efforts that successfully secured funding in the state budget.

Cooney succeeds Karen King, who is the chief executive officer of Golden Empire Transit District in Bakersfield.

“It’s an honor to take the helm as chair of the California Transit Association, building upon the tremendous milestones reached as an organization and industry in recent years under the leadership

Sharon Cooney of Karen King,” Cooney said in a news release. “This year was marked by a formidable effort led by the association to save public transit from a devastating budget crisis, resulting in a $5.1 billion lifeline from the State of California to recover the ridership agencies lost from the pandemic.”

“California’s public transit industry is taking necessary steps not just to recover, but chart a path forward that is more robust, sustainable and equitable than ever before,” she said. “In addition to long-term funding solutions, the association will focus on supporting agencies in the transition to zero-emission technologies, addressing passenger safety concerns and homelessness on transit and enhancing workforce development efforts.”

Cooney became MTS’ first female CEO in 2020 after a 15-year career with the organization, where she has held many top-level positions.

As CEO, Cooney oversees an agency that provides transit service in 10 cities with a footprint totaling more than 3,200 square miles.

With over 2,800 employees and contractors, MTS operates 63 miles of double-tracked light rail and 100 fixed bus routes, paratransit services, taxicab administration and oversight of freight rail lines. In FY 2023, MTS had the second highest light rail ridership in the United States.

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