14 Facts About Rick Leary

Richard J Leary is an American-Canadian transportation executive who was chief executive officer of the Toronto Transit Commission between 2017 and 2024.

Rick Leary was previously general manager of York Region Transit and held senior roles with the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority.

Rick Leary's father was a streetcar operator for the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority.

Rick Leary graduated from Northeastern University with a BBA and an MPA.

Rick Leary then moved through various manager and director roles, becoming the chief operating officer of the MBTA in 2005.

Rick Leary retired from the role in November 2009 after failing to appear at a board meeting to address a damning federal safety report.

In 2009, Rick Leary moved to Canada to become the general manager of York Region Transit in Ontario.

Rick Leary was praised as ridership grew by 4 million while customer complaints reduced and vehicle reliability increased.

In 2014, Rick Leary was hired as the chief service officer of the Toronto Transit Commission by then-CEO Andy Byford.

Rick Leary's achievements included a large reduction in the number of short turns, improving the quality of service.

In December 2017, Rick Leary was made the interim CEO of the TTC, when his predecessor, Andy Byford left to head the New York City Transit Authority.

In late 2023, TTC Chair Jamaal Myers attempted to have Rick Leary suspended while an investigation into allegations of workplace misconduct took place.

On June 20,2024, Rick Leary announced that he would step down from his position as CEO of the TTC at the end of August.

Rick Leary noted that it was his decision to leave, having waited to announce his resignation until contract negotiations with Amalgamated Transit Union Local 113 had been agreed.