"Independence is not independence with a capital I, it is independence with a small I, in the space of domain knowledge and technical expertise to deliver transit solutions. That is our role, and any policy decisions and choices that must be exercised is for elected representatives to exercise."

And therein lies the problem.  Elected representatives have a funny habit of ignoring advice and long term plans, while their successors have a funny habit of trying to redo or change what has already been done.  

It's not that our transit agencies don't have the expertise - it's that the elected officials think they know better.