- Organization: Edmonton Metropolitan Transit Services Commission
- Posted: May 4th, 2021
The Edmonton Metropolitan Transit Services Commission (EMTSC) has announced that Paul Jankowski will be the commission’s first-ever CEO. Jankowski, who has a long track record of success building and leading high-performing transit systems, will be moving from the Toronto area to Edmonton for his start date of May 17.
“I’m very excited to help build a phenomenal regional transit network, and work with such a strong network of transit professionals,” Jankowski said. “I’ve seen firsthand how an integrated system like this makes a real, substantial positive impact on quality of life for residents. I’m looking forward to working with the board and the municipalities to make this system happen.”
Leaving his role as Commissioner in the Regional Municipality of York’s Transportation Services Department, Jankowski will be responsible for leading the EMTSC as it creates an integrated, regional transit system. His most recent experience leading intermunicipal collaboration and implementing an integrated transportation service in the Greater Toronto Area provides him with tactical experience in this field.
“We’re thrilled to be welcoming Paul to our team. From the very beginning we knew hiring our CEO would be the first critical Board decision, and instrumental to the success of the Commission. Paul checked all the boxes we were looking for,” said EMTSC Chair and St. Albert City Councillor Wes Brodhead. “His experience in this industry is exactly what we need to make sure we can effectively scale up to a fully-fledged operational public transit commission in under two years. We interviewed a number of highly qualified people, and really took the time to find someone we thought would add immense value; Paul was the best candidate, and we’re thrilled to welcome him.”
Earlier this year, the Government of Alberta approved the formation of a new regional services commission for the Edmonton Metropolitan Region with a mandate of improving regional transit and mobility. The legal formation comes after several years of due diligence by participating municipal Councils and their administrations, which culminated in an application submitted by eight participating municipalities in 2020.
The eight participating municipalities are the City of Beaumont, Town of Devon, City of Edmonton, City of Fort Saskatchewan, City of Leduc, City of St. Albert, City of Spruce Grove, and Town of Stony Plain.
“Public transit is essential to the economic growth and stability of our region as we emerge from the pandemic,” said EMTSC Vice Chair and Edmonton City Councillor Michael Walters. “The EMTSC really needed someone with not just relevant experience, but the drive and determination to make our vision come to life. The regional transit service we’re creating will connect residents to other municipalities in the region and open up new opportunities that will continue to grow far into the future.”
Beyond greater connectivity, municipalities can expect to see their residents’ dollars go farther, as the regional routes are shared by multiple communities. For municipalities without established transit, the formation means that transit introduction is accelerated.