NEW YORK (WCBS 880) — There is a change in leadership at the Metropolitan Transportation Authority.
Gov. Andrew Cuomo has nominated Sarah Feinberg, who has served as New York City Transit's interim president since March 2020, to be chair of the agency's board.
She would be the first woman in the role.
Cuomo also appointed Janno Lieber as CEO, running the day to day operations of the agency.
If confirmed, the pair will be splitting the job currently held by Pat Foye, who serves as chairman and CEO of the agency.
Together, Feinberg and Lieber will be charged with leading the transit system through its post-pandemic recovery, with a focus on bringing customers back to public transit.
"I am thrilled to be stepping into a position that allows me to continue to play a significant role in how our subway and bus systems operate, but to also have even more of an impact in shaping the future of the agency, and of transportation in this city and region," Feinberg said in a statement. "There should be no higher priority than ensuring we are doing all we can to bring ridership back - and as ridership comes back, so will the city's economic recovery."
"The COVID crisis proved - once again - that mass transit is New York's linchpin, in good times and bad," Lieber said. "Now we need to keep building a system that connects people from all communities to jobs, education and opportunity. I look forward to taking on this important new role and to lead MTA in support of the New York City region's economic revival."
The state Senate must approve the nomination.
The changes would take effect July 30.
"Sarah, Janno and Pat are not only fiercely dedicated public servants, but proven leaders who kept the metropolitan region's transportation network operating efficiently through the worst public health crisis in a generation, and thanks to their tireless efforts, our essential workers were able to get to their destinations and help save lives," Cuomo said. "Moreover, they oversaw and pushed through historic change and construction progress across the MTA, giving the system the upgrades that will better serve riders for generations. On behalf of all New Yorkers, I thank all three of them for their ongoing service and have full confidence they will continue to work their hearts out in their new roles."
Foye, meanwhile, will step into a new role as Interim President and CEO of Empire State Development.
"I am proud of the way the MTA prepared for and responded to the pandemic, and the way our heroic employees - heroes moving heroes - carried first responders and essential workers to the frontlines to do their jobs," Foye said. "I am also proud and grateful for the extraordinary amount of federal COVID funding we advocated for and received to support a stronger MTA, building on the fiscal efficiencies we implemented and the successful approval of Central Business District Tolling. I know the strong gains we have made will continue under Sarah and Janno's watch. I look forward to serving as Interim President and CEO of Empire State Development and working with Chairman Steve Cohen to continue innovating in support of New York's post-pandemic economic recovery."
Riders Alliance Executive Director Betsy Plum reacted to the news in a statement saying, "Governor Cuomo is responsible for providing New York's millions of riders with fast, frequent, and affordable public transit service. It's also his job to fix the subway, making it reliable and accessible to all New Yorkers. The governor's new leadership at the MTA needs to focus on the basics: Upgrading subway signals, making stations accessible, and delivering seamless public transit service to the millions of riders who need it now and the many more returning each day."