Eddie Robar hired as new head of Edmonton Transit

City officials have hired Halifax's head of transit to manage the Edmonton Transit System. 

The position was left vacant after the city let the last transit manager go last summer, following long delays on the Metro LRT project.

Halifax city council was notified Monday that Eddie Robar will leave his post by the end of the year to take the vacant position in Edmonton.

"I'm pretty excited about it," Robar said. "It's a transit property that's three times the size of [Halifax], it's got 3,800 employees, a $300-million budget and they're looking for new blood."

Robar began working for the City of Halifax as a transit scheduler 14 years ago. He said he wasn't looking for a new job but was contacted by Edmonton officials.

He was selected after a seven-month international search for a new transit manager, according to transportation manager Dorian Wandzura.

"He brings a solid track record around transit strategy, strategic planning and leadership development," Wandzura said.

Since 2013, Robar overseen a major overhaul of the Halifax system's routes. Wandzura said his experience will help Edmonton, which is currently undergoing a transit overhaul of its own, expected to be completed in 2017.

Robar will head for Edmonton before the final draft plan of Halifax's overhaul is implemented.

"The timing wasn't mine to choose and obviously it's during a pretty busy time in Halifax Transit's history," he said.

Along with overseeing the new transit strategy, Robar will be responsible for daily operations and long term transit planning.