MTA Names Cuomo Board Pick As Andy Byford's Successor

NEW YORK, NY — Sarah Feinberg, a Gov. Andrew Cuomo nominee to the MTA board and former Federal Railroad Administrator, was named the interim president of New York City Transit on Tuesday, MTA officials announced.

Feinberg was named successor to the role days after popular former transit head Andy Byford left the post. As interim president of NYC Transit, Feinberg will be responsible for the day-to-day operations of the city's subway and bus systems and will oversee the agency's 48,000 workers, transit officials said.

"I’m thrilled to be serving as president of New York City Transit – as a transportation professional there’s no greater impact on public service than working with the people responsible for the safe and efficient transportation of eight million New Yorkers every day," Feinberg said in a statement. "I could not be happier and more proud to join this incredible team and look forward to jumping into the work right away."

Feinberg has a great deal of experience in both transit administration and government in general. She has served as the Federal Railroad Administrator during the administration of President Barack Obama and as chief of staff at the United States Department Of Transportation. Feinberg was the second woman to lead the Federal Railroad Administration, the main safety regulator for the U.S. rail system.

Feinberg is joining New York City Transit during a time of transition for the agency. A reorganization of the MTA passed in 2019 consolidated many of the responsibilities once held by the agency's president to focus the role on day-to-day operations.

Former president Andy Byford — also known affectionately as "Train Daddy" — handed in his letter of resignation months after the reorganization plan was approved. Since signing on in January 2018, Byford had overseen a resuscitation of subway service and proposed a sweeping plan to modernize the city's sprawling but troubled public transit in the next decade.

The MTA also passed a record-breaking $51.5 billion capital budget in 2019 under Byford's leadership.

Feinberg's first day on the job as interim president will be March 9. MTA officials say the transit authority will conduct an additional search for a permanent president.