NJ Transit names interim exec director to replace Hakim

New Jersey Transit has named its general manager of bus operations to become interim executive director.

Dennis Martin replaces Veronique Hakim, who is leaving after less than two years to head New York's Metropolitan Transportation Authority.

Martin is a longtime NJ Transit executive who has held several positions in the authority's bus division as well as in customer resources.

He is credited with coordinating the evacuation out of New York City during the 2003 power blackout. More recently he has been involved in improving conditions at the Port Authority Bus Terminal.

An NJ Transit spokeswoman says a national search is under way to find a permanent replacement for Hakim, but gave no timetable.

Martin will continue to earn his current salary of $180,000. Hakim was earning roughly $261,000.

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