CONNECTICUT DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION NEWS RELEASE 2800 BERLIN TURNPIKE P.O. BOX 317546 NEWINGTON CONNECTICUT, 06131-7546
FOR RELEASE:December 29 , 2008	FOR FURTHER INFORMATION:    OFFICE OF COMMUNICATIONS    TELEPHONE: (860) 594-3062    Fax: (860) 594-3066    Web site:www.ct.gov/dot

            Moving to bolster Connecticut’s commitment to getting people out of their cars and onto public transportation, Department of Transportation Commissioner Joseph F. Marie today announced the appointment of James P. Redeker, a veteran executive with New Jersey Transit Corporation, to lead the DOT’s Bureau of Public Transportation.

            “Jim Redeker has an outstanding record and resume with NJ TRANSIT and I know he is the right person to give our own transit operations the boost we’ve been looking for,” said Commissioner Marie. “We strive to give Connecticut commuters the options they need and the service they deserve. Only with safe, reliable and convenient public transportation will we transition people from their cars to the bus, train or vanpool. Jim Redeker will help us deliver on that commitment. His long experience with transit issues in the Tri-State area will serve us all well.”

            The DOT’s Bureau of Public Transportation oversees and coordinates the operation of two major commuter rail lines, Metro-North and Shore Line East, as well as a statewide network of bus service through CT Transit and a variety of ridesharing programs. The Metro-North line, between New Haven and New York City, is among the busiest in the nation.

            “My career has been devoted to the customer and I am confident that, even under difficult financial pressures, Connecticut can enhance commuter ridership and boost customer satisfaction,” Redeker said. “Connecticut has an outstanding program already in place and I look forward to joining a strong team of transportation professionals. I am delighted – and honored – to accept this challenge.”

            James P. Redeker began his career with the New Jersey Department of Transportation in 1978 and joined NJ TRANSIT when it was first created the following year, helping to build the third largest transit agency in the nation. In the 30 years since, he has held positions of increasing responsibility and leaves NJ TRANSIT as Vice President of Technology Services. His portfolio of experience includes strategic planning and policy, capital programming, transportation planning, transit service planning and scheduling, transit-friendly development, demand forecasting, pricing, paratransit and community service delivery, customer service and technology infrastructure and application management.

Jim Redeker received a Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering Science in 1977 and a Master’s in Civil Engineering in 1987 from the New Jersey Institute of Technology.   In addition, he has taught a variety of courses at the New Jersey Institute of Technology, Rutgers University and the National Transit Institute.

            The Bureau of Public Transportation is one of six bureaus in CT DOT, along with the Bureaus of Aviation and Ports, Engineering and Construction, Highway Operations, Finance and Administration, and Policy and Planning. The Department, headquartered in Newington, has more than 3,300 employees.