Boston Mayor Michelle Wu’s top aide, Tiffany Chu, has been linked to a company that the city is considering hiring as a public transit operator. This connection raises some concerns about potential conflicts of interest, as Chu is the former CEO and co-founder of Remix, a transit planning platform that was acquired by Via Transportation, Inc. in 2021. Via Transportation, Inc. is set to benefit from a significant budget to operate new transit services in Boston, which is part of a federal grant aimed at reducing congestion and promoting alternative modes of transportation.
Chu still owns shares in Via, but she claims she was not aware of Via’s involvement in the grant application process. The mayor’s office has acknowledged this connection and emphasized that no final decisions have been made regarding the hiring of Via as a transit operator. The City of Boston is still awaiting details from the U.S. Department of Transportation before moving forward with any contracts or agreements.
The proposed new shuttle network funded by the grant would improve public transit access in key neighborhoods in Boston, such as the Seaport, Charlestown, and Allston-Brighton. Additionally, the grant would support a significant expansion of the Bluebikes program across the Greater Boston region. This expansion comes at a time when the Wu administration is already investing in expanding bike lanes and bike sharing networks in the city.
It is essential for the city to ensure transparency and accountability in the process of selecting a transit operator to avoid any potential conflicts of interest. While Chu’s previous involvement with Remix and Via raises some concerns, it is crucial to follow all relevant state laws and bidding requirements to guarantee a fair and competitive selection process.
The mayor’s office has stated that Chu had no role in the grant application and was not aware of Via’s consultation until after the grant was awarded. Moving forward, it will be important for the city to prioritize the best interests of the residents and commuters of Boston when making decisions about public transit operations. By promoting transparency and adhering to legal requirements, the city can ensure that the new transit services funded by the grant benefit the community as a whole.