BOSTON MAYOR Michelle Wu went the safe route in picking the city’s representative on the MBTA board of directors, selecting Mary Skelton Roberts, a knowledgeable transportation expert who leans very much in the mayor’s direction.

Roberts currently serves as a senior advisor to the Climate Beacon Project, and previously worked for the Energy Foundation and the Barr Foundation – charitable organizations targeting climate change using a heavy dose of transportation philosophy.

During her time at the Barr Foundation, she authored four commentaries for CommonWealth that focused on the need to bolster bus transportation and repurpose city streets to prioritize people over cars. The articles focused on the need to establish special bus lanes on city streets, run buses down the middle of the street whenever possible, stop collecting fares on-board, and build platforms so people in wheelchairs or with strollers could board buses without navigating steps.

“We must cultivate a greater understanding that transportation solutions are climate solutions and public health solutions,” she said in one commentary, outlining a philosophy that meshes well with Wu’s push for dedicated bus lanes, better service, and fare-free buses.

The Legislature and Gov. Maura Healey approved a fiscal 2024 budget in August that expanded the T board from seven to nine members, adding a representative from Boston appointed by Wu and another appointee of the governor.

Rather than select someone herself, Wu established a public engagement process that invited Boston residents to recommend someone for the volunteer position or recommend themselves by submitting a resume.

The only requirements were that the person be a resident of Boston, a public transit rider, someone “connected to communities of transit riders, including employees, customers, and students;” and a person committed to “high quality, reliable, and affordable public transportation as a core strategy of economic growth, cultural vibrancy, and quality of life.”

Roberts appears to meet all the requirements, and will move from advocacy to setting policy at this Thursday’s board meeting.