Caltrain CEO Hartnett to step down

San Mateo County Transit District’s (SamTrans) Jim Hartnett yesterday announced that he will leave his position as chief executive officer and general manager of SamTrans and Caltrain in April 2021. 

In April, Deputy CEO and GM Carter Mau then will become acting CEO and GM, and Caltrain’s Chief Officer of Rail Michelle Bouchard will serve as acting executive director of Caltrain.

Hartnett joined SamTrans in 2015, and initially committed to a five-year term but stayed longer to help guide the agency through the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, Caltrain officials said in a press release.

During his tenure, Hartnett led an effort to pass the voter-approved Measure RR last month in San Francisco, San Mateo and Santa Clara counties, and Measure W in San Mateo County in 2018. He also reorganized the executive functions of the SamTrans, refreshed the culture of organization, and developed plans and programs to make rail more reliable and efficient, Caltrain officials said.

Prior to his time at SamTrans, Hartnett was vice chair of the California High Speed Rail Authority Board, chair of the SamTrans and Caltrain boards. He is a U.S. Navy veteran.