N.J. Transit Chief a No-Show at a Legislative Hearing on Safety.

'New Jersey Transit’s new executive director was a no-show on Friday when it came time to face state lawmakers here and explain the agency’s worsening safety record.

In the wake of two fatal crashes in the transportation system since August, two legislative committees convened the first of a series of hearings into its operations. But the first witness they had called to speak — the agency’s executive director, Steven Santoro — abruptly canceled his scheduled appearance, a move that angered the lawmakers.

“It’s unacceptable to have anything other than a first-rate transit service as we had before several years ago,” said State Assemblyman John F. McKeon, a Democrat who leads the Judiciary Committee. He also said it was “disrespectful to the committee” for Mr. Santoro not to show up.

Mr. Santoro was appointed this month as the first permanent holder of the top job at the agency in nearly a year. In his absence, the state’s transportation commissioner, Richard Hammer, was left to do the talking.'>>>

http://www.nytimes.com/2016/10/22/nyregion/steven-santoro-new-jersey-transit-chief-a-no-show-at-a-legislative-hearing-on-safety.html?