Tcholakova will lead strategic organizational transit planning efforts
Oceanside, CA – North County Transit – San Diego Railroad (NCTD) has promoted Ioni Tcholakova to Director of Service Planning, effective immediately. In this role, Tcholakova will oversee service planning efforts to support NCTD’s mission to provide safe, reliable, and innovative transportation services.
“Ioni is dedicated to improving the region’s transit services, and we’re fortunate to have her on our team,” said NCTD Chief Executive Officer, Shawn M. Donaghy. “Her leadership has already shaped key service improvements and planning initiatives, and we are excited to see her continue to advance NCTD’s vision in this expanded role.”
Tcholakova joined NCTD in 2021 as a Transit Planner and has since been promoted to Senior Transit Planner and Manager of Service Planning. During her time at NCTD, she has led planning efforts for major service changes, conducted complex route and Geographic Information System (GIS) analyses, coordinated stakeholder engagement for NCTD+ micro transit services, and managed multiple Caltrans-funded planning initiatives focused on access, safety, and mobility.
“I’m grateful for the opportunity to serve as Director of Service Planning and to continue supporting thoughtful, responsible, and community-focused service planning at NCTD,” said Tcholakova. “As both a planner and a transit rider, I’m committed to designing services that improve access and support the daily lives of our riders.”
Prior to joining NCTD, Tcholakova served as a Mobility Solutions Coordinator with the County of Hawai’i, where she supported early-stage zero-emission bus planning and developed the county’s first General Transit Feed Specification (GTFS).
Tcholakova holds a Master of Science in Sustainable Urban Development from the University of Oxford and a Bachelor of Arts in Environmental and Ocean Sciences from the University of San Diego. She is a LEED Green Associate and holds a Transit and Paratransit Management Certificate from the University of the Pacific.
