After nearly seven years at Burlington Transit, more than three of them as Director, Catherine Baldelli has announced she is retiring from the city effective Dec. 19.
“After more than 30 years in GIS, IT and Transit across both private and public sectors, I have decided it’s time to retire,” she said on her LinkedIn page. “It has been an incredible journey. I am grateful for the opportunities that I have had, particularly at the City of Burlington.”
Appointed in 2022 following the retirement of former Director Sue Connor, Baldelli continued the work of rebuilding a system that had been on the verge of collapse as a result of chronic underfunding and gross neglect by City Councils before the 2019 election.
Under her leadership, transit use increased to more than 4 million trips per year, significantly exceeding estimates. “You have played an important role in turning Burlington Transit around, resulting in improvements in service levels and growing ridership,” said BFAST Chair Doug Brown in an email.
Effective voice
Baldelli was an effective voice for transit at City Hall, steering the agency through a period of soaring demand at the same time as it faced post-Covid staff shortages and disruption in the supply chain for new buses. With a one-year Covid delay, she and her team executed a five-year plan that brought Burlington’s transit system more in line with others in the Greater Toronto Area.
One of her final challenges as Director will be to launch a new strategic plan for transit that looks at adding service to broaden its reach, accomodate new development and rescue buses from worsening traffic gridlock.
Electrification of BT’s fleet has been an issue throughout her term. Baldelli has followed a cautious and prudent course of waiting while standards are set and equipment is improved. In the meantime, new zero-emission hybrid buses will soon begin to appear on city streets.
Baldelli was well regarded within Burlington Transit itself. Staff often commented on how open she was to suggestions and discussion.
Rider engagement
Her commitment to engaging with riders was perhaps unequaled in Canada.
“We particularly appreciate the cooperation of you and your staff in involving BFAST in these efforts to improve transit and increase ridership such as supporting our Burlington Transit Users’ Forums and establishing regular meetings and communications between BT and BFAST,” said Brown.
BT has also held public meetings to discuss route changes, taken rider surveys and is set to launch a public consultation process this Fall.
While the city will advertise for applications for a new Director, a search of its website did not reveal a posting as of yet.