Charlotte City Councilmember Tariq Bokhari has just been selected by the Trump Administration to become the new deputy administrator of the Federal Transit Administration – the second highest position at the FTA.
The FTA, part of the U.S. Department of Transportation, manages federal transit funding and infrastructure grants.
Congratulations to Charlotte City Council Member Tariq Bokhari on his appointment as Deputy Administrator for the Federal Transit Administration! His leadership and vision will drive innovation in transit nationwide. We know he’ll make Charlotte proud! 🇺🇸 #Leadership #Transit pic.twitter.com/o8bzcnirBr
— MeckGOP (@meckgop) March 25, 2025
Bokhari, one of two Republicans on the council, has represented southern Charlotte’s District 6 since 2017.
Known for his disruptive approach and tech-focused ideas, he founded the Carolina Fintech Hub and has consistently advocated for road improvements, law enforcement, and homelessness solutions, often in unconventional means. He proposed a possible tunnel under Charlotte, built by Elon Musk’s The Boring Company, and installing bulletproof shields on city buses.
He often challenged Charlotte’s transit planning process, pushing for transparency and a greater focus on road funding. Perhaps his biggest accomplishments was securing a provision to allocate 40% of new tax revenue toward roads.
Though frequently at odds with city leadership on transportation, Bokhari now takes on a key federal role that could shape the future of transit projects in Charlotte and beyond.
We don’t yet know who will fill his seat on the City Council, but according to State law, it has to be filled by someone from the same political party.
