BOSTON – The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) has unveiled plans to reinstate Subway Line Managers, marking a strategic initiative to enhance the quality, safety, and visual appeal of subway stations across Boston, Massachusetts and Cambridge, Massachusetts.
This strategic move represents a key component of the MBTA’s comprehensive plan to elevate passenger satisfaction and create more inviting transit spaces throughout Massachusetts.
Under the leadership of MBTA Chief of Stations Dennis Varley, these newly appointed Line Managers will be instrumental in maintaining station excellence, ensuring cleanliness, and upholding rigorous safety standards.
MBTA General Manager and CEO Phillip Eng highlighted the significance of Boston’s transit stations, describing them as “essential gateways to our network and vital components of the communities we serve.” Speaking about the new management structure, Eng stated, “This initiative represents a crucial step in revolutionizing the passenger experience.” He further reflected, “Throughout the past year, we’ve optimized our operations while conducting track improvements, enhancing station cleanliness, security, and accessibility. We hope our riders can witness and experience these positive changes, and our dedicated team, under Dennis Varley’s guidance, is committed to building a public transit system that Massachusetts residents can be proud of.”
Eng formally welcomed the team of newly selected line managers—Amanda Bright (Red Line), Mike Brunache (Orange Line), Alexander Soto (Blue Line), and Jaleesa Turner (Green Line)—expressing gratitude for their dedication to this vital mission.
Leadership Committed to Station Enhancement
The revival of the Subway Line Manager position, spearheaded by Eng and Varley, seeks to establish a dynamic team focused on station and facilities management. Operating within Varley’s Transit Facilities Management division, each manager will oversee their designated subway line’s station conditions, ensuring swift response to maintenance needs while maintaining both safety standards and visual appeal. Chief of Stations Dennis Varley emphasized, “Our stations should serve as welcoming and efficient spaces for our passengers, and we’re dedicated to meeting and exceeding public expectations.”
These Line Managers will oversee station cleanliness, maintenance reporting, and critical safety issue escalation. Through systematic inspections and coordination with maintenance crews, they will work to deliver an enhanced station experience aligned with MBTA’s service quality commitment.
Meet the New Subway Line Managers
The newly appointed line managers bring diverse expertise and strong credentials to their positions:
Amanda Bright (Red Line): A seasoned professional with 17 years of MBTA experience, Bright’s career spans Revenue, Vendor Management, and Automated Fare Collection departments. Her proven track record includes successful leadership of cross-departmental initiatives and extensive collaboration with the Maintenance Control Center. Bright holds a Bachelor of Arts in Business Management from Southern New Hampshire University.
Mike Brunache (Orange Line): Serving the Boston, Massachusetts transit community, Brunache brings over a decade of valuable experience from his role as a Commuter Rail Conductor with Keolis Commuter Services. His expertise in passenger assistance and public interaction, combined with a Bachelor of Science in Business Management from Newbury College, positions him well to enhance the Orange Line passenger experience.
Alexander Soto (Blue Line): With 15 years of facilities leadership experience in Massachusetts, Soto joins the MBTA after serving as Assistant Director of Building Services and Event Support at Babson College. His Bachelor of Arts in Communications from Southern New Hampshire University complements his extensive operational expertise in maintaining public spaces.
Jaleesa Turner (Green Line): Turner brings a robust customer service background to Cambridge, Massachusetts and surrounding areas, having previously excelled as Manager of Terminal Operations with Keolis. Her academic credentials include an MBA from Southern New Hampshire University and a Bachelor of Science in Communications from Salem State University.
The reintroduction of Subway Line Managers underscores the MBTA’s commitment to elevating station conditions and enhancing the rider experience throughout Massachusetts. As these managers establish themselves in their roles, passengers can anticipate a more responsive approach to station maintenance and upkeep.
The MBTA General Manager and CEO emphasized that this initiative demonstrates the MBTA ongoing dedication to building a modern, efficient, and passenger-focused transit system that meets the evolving needs and expectations of Massachusetts communities.