BITS Pilani graduate “is ready to steer Texas’ largest metropolitan transit authority” says Houston Mayor
Sanjay “Ram” Ramabhadran, a well-respected Indian American engineer and long-time community leader is set to become the first Indian American chair of Houston Metro board, Texas’ largest metropolitan transit authority.
“As a prepared and proven leader, Sanjay is ready to steer Texas’ largest metropolitan transit authority,” Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner said announcing Ramabhadran’s nomination on Thursday.” His leadership will play a big role in getting the ambitious MetroNext and other projects right.”
“It is an honor of a lifetime to serve the City of Houston and the entire region. I truly appreciate the trust and confidence in me to build the future of Metro,” said Ramabhadran. “I look forward to working with my colleagues on the METRO Board, the CEO, and the 4,100 strong Metro family.”
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“These men and women are frontline heroes in their own right. 24/7 and 365 days a year, they work to move Houstonians,” he said. “Not just during a regular work week or for a baseball game, but when it is most needed, during a flood, hurricane, or pandemic.”
Ramabhadran, 51, a BITS Pilani and Texas A&M university graduate, has served on the Metro Board of Directors since May 2015. He is the current Chair of the Capital & Strategic Planning Committee and a member of the Finance & Audit Committee, , according to a press release from the mayor’s office.
He has helped oversee the planning, design, construction, and launch of major projects, including METRONext, that enhance mobility throughout the region.
These projects include a multi-million-dollar program ensuring universal accessibility for passengers with a range of disabilities. He also worked to expand MetroRapid, the agency’s bus rapid transit (BRT) service.
Initially a single north-south route connecting Uptown to two major transit centers, the service will also include the Inner Katy Line, connecting Uptown and downtown, and the University Line, which will be the longest BRT line in the US.
He is working to enhance the travel time, reliability, and access for 17 of Metro’s high ridership bus routes as part of the BOOST initiative.
Ramabhadran will replace Carrin Patman, the first woman to lead Metro’s board of directors. She is stepping down on Feb 24 following her nomination by the Biden Administration to serve as ambassador to Iceland.
The appointments of two accomplished individuals underscore Houston’s strength as a diverse and inclusive city, Turner said. “There is incredible talent in our city. That gives me hope that no matter what challenges we face, we will overcome those challenges if we work together.”
Rambhadran is also past president of Indo-American Chamber of Greater Houston (IACCGH). His nomination was also hailed by the Indian-American community.
Read: Sanjay Ramabhadran to be First Indian-American Head of Houston METRO (February 21, 2022)
Jagdip Ahluwalia, founding secretary/executive director IACCGH, said, “We are proud of Ramabhadran who was our first volunteer when the IACCGH was created in 1999 and rose to serve on the board and lead as president of the Chamber and continues to serve on its board.”
“Ramabhadran is a role model for the Indo-American community and a proven leader who will undoubtedly do great things in his new leadership role,” said Tarush Anand IACCGH president.