As ‘Summer Of Hell’ Continues, Transit Execs Play Musical Chairs

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NEW YORK CITY, NY – As the MTA struggles to fix the beleaguered subway system, transportation executives are playing musical chairs, according to news reports.

Patrick Foye is expected to become the next president of the MTA, multiple reports say. He comes to the body from the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey.

Foye made news in 2013 for his role ending the closure of George Washington Bridge lanes orchestrated by New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie’s staff, according to the Daily News.

Meanwhile at the Port Authority, two new executives are coming on board, the New York Times reported. Christie and New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo on Tuesday announced Kevin O’Toole will be the new chair of the board of commissioners and Rick Cotton the new executive director. The authority is in charge of the region’s airports and major bridges and tunnels.

O'Toole is a former New Jersey Republican state senator who joined the Port Authority's board last month, according to The Times. He strongly supported Christie during the Bridgegate scandal, according to WNYC.

Cotton previously worked for Cuomo overseeing infrastructure projects, The Times said.

What the changes in leadership mean for long-suffering commuters remains to be seen.

But an exchange between Cuomo and reporters on Tuesday suggested the governor himself is not seeking greater responsibility for the subway's problems.

Asked whether he’s in favor of Foye coming to the MTA, Cuomo said, “that’s up to the MTA” – a body he effectively controls.

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Lead image of Patrick Foye by AP.