DTS Director Roger Morton

Mayor Blangiardi appoints Roger Morton as Director of DTS

News Release from Office of the Mayor, Feb 1, 2021

The City and County of Honolulu’s Department of Transportation Services has a new Director starting February 1, 2021. Roger Morton, the former President and General Manager of Oʻahu Transit Services (OTS) has been appointed by Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiardi to lead DTS. Here, Morton will be tasked with leading administration and oversight for TheBus, TheHandi-Van, and the upcoming rail system, the first segment of which is projected to open in the second half of 2021.

Morton, whose transportation career spans well over 46 years, has spent the last 15 years as President and General Manager of OTS, operator of TheBus and TheHandi-Van. He was previously Senior Vice President & Director of Operations for over 13 years before being named President. With a current annual budget of $280 million and 2,050 employees, Morton is well versed in maximizing resources and maintaining services in challenging economic times. DTS is looking forward to working with Morton, to accomplish the goals and values that the department stands for.

“Director Morton will be leading our Department of Transportation Services into a new era of mobility,” said Mayor Rick Blangiardi. “Under this administration, Roger will continue to oversee our amazing TheBus and TheHandi-Van services, as well as bringing the operations of the City’s new rail system to life. With nearly five decades of exceptional transportation experience, I am grateful and we are most fortunate to have Roger on our team.”

Morton, a graduate of Kalani High School, has a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Economics from York University in Toronto, a Masters of Community & Regional Planning from the University of British Columbia, and is an alumnus of the industry-recognized Eno Transit Leadership program.

DTS Deputy Director Jon Nouchi

Working alongside Morton, will be Jon Nouchi, serving as Deputy Director of DTS. Mr. Nouchi has worked in planning and operating efficient and sustainable transportation networks in Hawaiʻi for over 20 years. As the Deputy Director of the City and County of DTS, he will continue to oversee all modes of public transportation mobility, transportation engineering, transportation technology, and transportation planning.

Mr. Nouchi previously served as the Deputy Director of DTS under the Caldwell Administration, the Deputy Director of Planning and Environment for the Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation, and the Director of Planning and Service Development for O‘ahu Transit Services, Inc.

He is a graduate of the University of Southern California’s Price School of Public Policy with a B.S. in Urban Planning and Development. Mr. Nouchi also has a certificate in ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi from the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoaʻs Hawaiʻinuiākea School of Hawaiian Knowledge.

—PAU—