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The NJ Transit board of directors unanimously approved the appointment of Kris Kolluri to serve as president and CEO, effective Jan. 15, 2025.

Earlier this week, Kevin Corbett stepped down from the role he has held the past seven years.

He spoke at the outset of the board’s Dec. 11 meeting.

“As the board is certainly already aware, it is with decidedly mixed emotions, this past Monday, I submitted my formal resignation – effective Jan. 15, to pursue a new professional opportunity; as well as spend some long overdue time with my family,” said Corbett, who will be taking on a role at Rutgers University. “To ensure a smooth transition for my successor, I will remain on in a consultative capacity for 30 days beyond Jan. 15.

“As I said in my letter, I am profoundly grateful for the trust Gov. Murphy and this board placed in me – and for the opportunity to work alongside an extraordinary team of more than 12,000 men and women dedicated to serving the residents of New Jersey,” Corbett continued.

Track record

In a statement, the governor’s office noted several of Corbett’s accomplishments, including enhancing customer service, modernizing critical infrastructure, renovating and expanding stations, and introducing new fleets of rail cars.

“Kevin has worked in coordination with our federal government, Amtrak, and our Legislature to develop strategic plans and solutions that address commuters’ concerns and position NJ Transit for long-term reliability and success,” said Murphy. “His leadership and service to the people of New Jersey has been unwavering and I wish him the best as he begins this next chapter.”

Corbett exits following a tumultuous final year at NJ Transit – which has included a fare hike, budget shortfall that necessitated a new corporate business tax, and a rash of service meltdowns that have left riders frazzled and frustrated.

Coming from the tunnel

Corbett’s successor, Kolluri, most recently served as the CEO of the Gateway Development Commission, overseeing a critical infrastructure project, the $16.1 billion Hudson Tunnel Project.

“Kris Kolluri has played a vital role in strengthening our region’s transit infrastructure, and I am confident in his ability to lead NJ TRANSIT as we work to deliver the reliable, efficient, and modernized mass transit system that New Jerseyans deserve,” said Murphy. “As CEO of the Gateway Development Commission, Kris was an exceptional leader and a relentless champion for the Hudson Tunnel Project, who helped secure the largest federal investment in a mass transit project in our nation’s history and oversaw the start of construction on both sides of the Hudson River – all in less than three years.  I am grateful for his continued dedication to our state’s future and look forward to working with him.”

“Kris’s vast knowledge of the transportation landscape in New Jersey coupled with his demonstrated leadership will be valuable assets in continuing to move this agency forward,” said DOT commissioner and NJ TRANSIT board chair Fran O’Connor.  “I want to thank Kevin Corbett for his dedication to NJ TRANSIT and commend him for the advancements made during his tenure.  I wish him all the best as he begins his next chapter.”

Kolluri said he was honored that Murphy recommended him to the NJ Transit board to serve in this role.

“Through his leadership and targeted investments, Gov. Murphy has made improving NJ TRANSIT a cornerstone of his administration,” said Kolluri. “Over the next year, I look forward to working with the Governor and the Board to continue putting NJ TRANSIT on a pathway to carry out the improvements that customers expect and deserve.”

Business leaders react

Reaction to the news is coming in from the business community and beyond.

Describing Kolluri as a great guy who will take on the job with professionalism, New Jersey Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Tom Bracken applauded the announcement.

“I think it’s an outstanding choice,” Bracken told NJBIZ, noting the challenges NJ Transit faces. “I, quite frankly, can’t think of a better person to have been named.”

Bracken said his organization looks forward to continuing dialogue with the agency under Kolluri.

“We’ve had many meetings with NJ Transit, and we’d love to work with them to see what we can do to help – because it’s such a vital part of New Jersey and such a needed public transit system for moving workers back and forth,” said Bracken. “And we’d love to continue those – and with Kris there, get his ideas and maybe him ask us for feedback – would be wonderful.”

I, quite frankly, can’t think of a better person to have been named.
– Tom Bracken, New Jersey Chamber of Commerce president and CEO

He pointed to areas such as the controversial corporate transit fee, which is bemoaned by business advocates.

“One thing that I would love to be able to discuss is – when we can get rid of the corporate transit fee,” said Bracken. “Because that was a big negative for the business community. And if there are ways, to find money to replace that – that would be wonderful.”

Those sentiments were echoed by Michele Siekerka, president and CEO of the New Jersey Business & Industry Association.

Siekerka said NJBIA looks forward to working with Kolluri.

“As a former commissioner for the State Department of Transportation, former board chair for NJ TRANSIT, and someone with a track record of getting things done, we know Kris will bring his experience, intellect and passion to this very important position,” said Siekerka. “While the business community strongly opposed a new $1 billion tax on business to help fund NJ TRANSIT this year, we want to ensure that this tax is utilized for its intended purpose and not redirected for budget shortfalls. We stand ready to work together with the agency to try and maximize that investment and help find efficiencies wherever possible.

“We offer our partnership to Kris and NJ TRANSIT to ensure this outcome under this new direction.”