Deb Prato has held executive leadership positions in county government and regional transportation. The newly appointed CEO for The Rapid has more than 30-years of experience including her time with New York city’s MTA, which is North America’s largest transit system, along with Rochester, New York’s seven-county system.
Arriving in Grand Rapids in the midst of a pandemic, Prato says it’s been a year of innovation. As conditions improve with vaccinations, getting ridership back is a top priority.
“We’re open to anything that can grow and maintain the infrastructure and increase vitality. I truly think public transportation systems health is an indicator of the vitality of any region.”
Prato says she’d like to expand some of the current lines and see more transit-oriented development impacting housing and business districts.