Healey appoints experienced safety consultant as MassDOT's first-ever safety chief.

Governor Maura Healey has appointed Patrick Lavin, a consultant who worked on a 2019 report about the MBTA’s safety procedures, as MassDOT’s chief safety officer. Lavin, who has previously served as safety chief for the transit system in Washington, D.C., and a safety director for New York City Transit, will report to T general manager Phillip Eng and Secretary of Transportation Gina Fiandaca. The new role was created to improve safety for riders and workers across all modes of transportation. Lavin's appointment comes at a time when the MBTA has been plagued by safety incidents and service cuts.