Ed King named director of Santa Monica's Big Blue Bus

Posted July 2011

Edward F. King, currently executive director of the San Luis Obispo (Calif.) Regional Transit Authority, has been named director of the Big Blue Bus in Santa Monica, Calif. He replaces Stephanie Negriff, who announced her retirement in April.

"Ed King is an exceptional manager with a proven track record in operations management and transportation planning for several large organizations," said Santa Monica City Manager Rod Gould. "He brings in-depth experience ranging from transit system improvements focusing on service quality and reliability, to strategic transit service planning. He is known for strong management, staff development and budgeting skills."

During his tenure as executive director of the San Luis Obispo Regional Transit Authority, King oversaw all regional and fixed-route transit services, as well as the capital program for procurement of buses, paratransit vehicles, trolleys and bus stop amenities. He focused on operational and funding management improvements including increasing system-wide ridership and on-time performance.

Before becoming director of the San Luis Obispo Regional Transit Authority, King was deputy director of Valley Metro Regional Public Transit Authority in Phoenix, where he oversaw transit operations, fleet and facility maintenance, customer service and capital programs. He also served as vice president, operations and system security for Long Beach Transit in Long Beach, Calif.; deputy executive director for operations for Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority in Clearwater, Fla.; general manager of operations for Hillsborough Area Regional Transit Authority in Tampa, Fla.; and deputy director of North Suburban Mass Transit District in Des Plaines, Ill.

"I am honored to have been selected as the next Director of the Big Blue Bus for the City of Santa Monica," King said. "I look forward to establishing collaborative relationships with our stakeholders as well as working with the City and Big Blue Bus employees to provide transportation services that improve and enhance the quality of life for the residents and visitors of the City."

King received a master's degree in urban planning from Roosevelt University in Chicago. He and his wife have three grown children.

As Santa Monica Big Blue Bus Director, King will receive a base salary of $182,040. The Big Blue Bus Department has 419 employees and an annual budget of $58.9 million. It oversees transit service delivery to more than 22 million customers a year, and a system that spans 52 square miles across the most densely populated area of Los Angeles County. The appointment follows a nationwide recruitment that attracted more than 50 candidates and interviews with 7 finalists over the past month.

Sign up for Transit Intelligence

News and commentary in public transportation, and the latest job postings and solicitations.

Daily News Briefing