Tri Delta Transit selects Rashidi Barnes as its new CEO

After an extensive nationwide search, the board of Tri Delta Transit in Antioch, Calif., unanimously selected Rashidi Barnes as its new CEO. He will assume the role on Sept. 7. Barnes replaces long-time CEO Jeanne Krieg, who is retiring after 32 years at the agency.

Rashidi Barnes

Barnes started his transit career 20 years ago as the western sales manager for Transit Marketing Group, a marketing and sales agency for transit product manufacturers in Boulder, Colo. From there he became the director of procurement for Foothill Transit in West Covina, Calif., where he was responsible for ensuring contract compliance and procurement of materials/supplies and professional, architectural and engineering services. He also served as Foothill Transit’s Disadvantaged Enterprise Liaison Officer.

Barnes spent the next five and a half years with Central Contra Costa Transit Authority (County Connection) in Concord, Calif., where he served as senior manager of transportation, senior manager of innovation and shared mobility, and then director of innovation and shared mobility. During his other roles at CCCTA, Barnes oversaw the daily operations of 160-plus bus operators, 12 supervisors and one transit manager.

Most recently, Barnes has been working for First Transit as the director of mobility as a service, a national position where he worked with various transit agencies, TNCs, payment solution companies and micromobility providers. Through the introduction of MaaS mobile applications, data analytics and focus on improving the customers journeys, Barnes believes that transit agencies will be able re-solidify their place in the daily transportation decisions that people make.

“We are greatly saddened by the retirement of Jeanne Krieg, who has been a strong leader for the last 32 years, said board chair Anissa Williams. "We are extremely fortunate to be bringing Rashidi Barnes onboard, who will no doubt continue Jeanne's strong leadership and direction, while forging his own legacy."

Krieg will assume the title of CEO transitional officer until she retires officially in February 2023.

Tri Delta Transit provides more than 2 million trips each year to a population of over 315,000 residents in the 225 square miles of Eastern Contra Costa County. They currently operate 15 local bus routes Monday - Friday, five local bus routes on weekends, door-to-door bus service for senior citizens and people with disabilities, and on-demand rideshare services.

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