NEW YORK CITY—In the midst of a subway crisis and issues plaguing the Metro-North and Long Island Railroad lines, Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced on Wednesday he is bringing back Joe Lhota as chairman of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority.
Lhota will direct MTA management to address the problems with the subway system as the authority continues its search for a permanent executive officer. While serving as MTA chairman, Lhota will continue to serve as SVP, vice dean and chief of staff at NYU Langone Medical Center.
“Joe Lhota is a tested and experienced leader with the proven track record needed to address the enormous challenges facing the nation's largest mass transportation system,” Gov. Cuomo says. “In the wake of the devastation of Superstorm Sandy, Joe stepped up and delivered for New Yorkers—ensuring our region's subways, buses and commuter rails were up and running as quickly as possible”
The governor adds there is much work that needs to be done to address the MTA's current problems. “I know Joe will move to address these issues immediately and ensure a reliable and effective transportation system worthy of the city it serves,” Gov. Cuomo says.
Lhota previously served as the chairman of the board and chief executive officer of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority. He was nominated by Gov. Cuomo in October 2011 and was confirmed by the New York State Senate in January 2012. He resigned from the post on Dec. 31, 2012 to run for Mayor of New York City. Previously, Lhota served as the New York City deputy mayor for operations where he oversaw day-to-day management of the city and supervised city agencies during the Giuliani administration.
“This is an incredibly challenging time for the MTA and we will immediately and aggressively tackle the problems the system is facing after decades of disinvestment,” Lhota said in a statement. “The hardworking women and men of the MTA are dedicated, driven and talented—they are the engine that makes our city and state run—and working together we will rebuild the system and improve service for all New Yorkers.”
Lhota also served as the city's budget director and as the commissioner of finance for New York City.
Meanwhile, Gov. Cuomo's proposal announced on Tuesday to give New York State majority control of the MTA to address the current crisis at the authority has been widely criticized by transportation advocates.
The legislation would add two additional state seats to the MTA Board appointed by the governor and an additional vote for the chairman. Of the new board's total voting members, it would give the state eight appointees and nine votes.
Currently, there is no voting majority on the MTA. New York State currently has six seats, New York City has four seats and Nassau, Suffolk, Westchester, Dutchess, Orange, Rockland and Putnam counties have the balance of the board's seats for a total of 14 voting seats.
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John Jordan
John Jordan is a veteran journalist with 36 years of print and digital media experience.
