Can a harsh winter storm unseat Phil Eng from his dual roles in Massachusetts transportation? It’s a question that’s sparking debate across the state, especially as delays and cancellations pile up, leaving commuters frustrated and officials scrambling for solutions. But here’s where it gets controversial: Is Eng’s ambitious juggling act sustainable, or is it setting the stage for burnout and inefficiency? Let’s dive in.
Since October, when Transportation Secretary Monica Tibbits-Nutt stepped down, Phil Eng has been pulling double duty—serving as both the state’s transportation secretary and the general manager (GM) of the MBTA, affectionately known as the T. This means he’s overseeing everything from roads and rail to local airports and the Registry of Motor Vehicles, all while managing buses, subways, and commuter rail. And this is the part most people miss: technically, Eng has been reporting to himself, since the T GM typically answers to the transportation secretary. Talk about a bureaucratic twist!
The pay gap between these roles is staggering. The T GM position comes with a salary of around $500,000, typical for leading a major transit system, while the transportation secretary earns about $200,000, on par with other state cabinet members. It’s easy to see why Eng might want to hold onto both jobs—a promotion without a pay cut, plus the chance to amplify his impact. Plus, having one person in both roles could save the state some money. But here’s the catch: Governor Healey’s top priority should be safeguarding the progress made in fixing the T, and that might mean letting Eng focus on his original role.
Eng, however, isn’t sweating it. He’s confident he can handle both jobs, brushing off concerns that a single snowstorm could derail his efforts. “I can do both,” he told me last week. “I have strong teams in both organizations, and the synergy between them is crucial.” His resume certainly backs him up—having led the Long Island Rail Road and served as chief engineer at the New York State Department of Transportation, Eng understands the interconnectedness of these roles. He’s all-in on Massachusetts and is willing to stay on as transportation secretary long-term if that’s what the governor wants.
Around town, the buzz is that if anyone can pull this off, it’s Eng. Kate Dineen, CEO of A Better City, a transportation advocacy group, puts it this way: “There’s a lot of speculation about whether he can sustain this interim appointment. But personally, I think it’s straightforward. When you have a leader like Phil Eng, who’s proven they can deliver, you want them in charge of as much as possible.”
But let’s not forget why Governor Healey might be hesitant to make a permanent hire. She’s already had three transportation secretaries in four years. Before Tibbits-Nutt, there was Gina Fiandaca, who left abruptly after just eight months. Still, if Healey changes her mind, there’s no shortage of candidates. Believe it or not, the transportation secretary role is highly coveted.
Potential contenders include MBTA board chair and former state senator Tom McGee; current undersecretary Jonathan Gulliver; Healey’s federal funding expert Quentin Palfrey; Brian Kane, head of the MBTA Advisory Board; and Samantha Silverberg, a former MassDOT and White House staffer now at the Harvard Kennedy School. Kane, for one, isn’t hiding his ambitions. “For someone in public service, this is the ultimate job,” he said. His day-one priority? Pushing for more housing near commuter rail stations. But Kane is a realist: “The governor doesn’t need another transit expert. She’s got Eng.”
The governor’s office is staying tight-lipped about whether Eng can permanently hold both roles. It’s unclear if the decision rests solely with Healey or if the Legislature needs to weigh in. Enter state Senator Brendan Crighton, chair of the Joint Committee on Transportation. Even in these challenging times, he’s an Eng supporter. While he believes the T GM and transportation secretary roles should probably be separate long-term, he cautions that any decision should be based on Eng’s performance. “Phil continues to lead strongly in both departments,” Crighton said. “I respect the governor’s choice to either stick with this model or bring in new leadership.”
Right now, it feels like Eng’s job to lose. But just because he can do it doesn’t mean he should. His impressive progress on the T has earned him the benefit of the doubt. Yet, as winter drags on, the real test may be whether the weather—not politics—becomes his ultimate judge.
What do you think? Can Phil Eng successfully manage both roles, or is he spreading himself too thin? Share your thoughts in the comments—let’s spark a conversation!
