Councilwoman Ann O'Brien Appointed to Valley Metro Board

Councilwoman Ann O'Brien is stepping into a new regional leadership role, joining the board that sets policy for the Valley Metro transit system serving the greater Phoenix area.

Appointed by Mayor Kate Gallego, O'Brien will serve as Phoenix’s representative on the Valley Metro Regional Public Transportation Authority (RPTA) and Valley Metro Rail Boards of Directors, as well as the Audit and Finance Subcommittee. The roles are effective through Fiscal Year 2026–2027.

“I’m honored to take on this responsibility at such a pivotal moment for our regional transit system," said Councilwoman O'Brien. "More than 130,000 riders rely on our buses, light rail, and paratransit services every day, and I look forward to working with our regional partners to ensure it continues to connect people to opportunities and remains financially sound. I'm grateful to Mayor Gallego for her confidence in me."

Mayor Gallego called O'Brien "a careful, fiscally disciplined steward of taxpayer funds" and credited her as "a critical driver to accelerate the opening of the Northwest Extension Phase II and the Thelda Williams Transit Center in 2024."

That transit center is Phoenix's first multimodal hub, serving an average of 70,000 users monthly, and sits at the heart of O'Brien's Council District. Named for former Mayor and Councilwoman Thelda Williams, the center connects light rail and bus routes adjacent to The Metropolitan, a $1 billion mixed-use development. The 80-acre project at the site of the former Metrocenter Mall will bring new housing, retail, bike paths, and green space.

"Transit is an economic engine, a tool for equity, and a commitment to the kind of community we want to be," O'Brien said.

Valley Metro services span 513 square miles across 18 member cities. Its RPTA and Rail Boards set policy direction for the regional system.

Media Contact
Christina Estes, Director of Communications
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