Cuomo to reappoint MTA Chairman for next six years

Just months after speculations of a new MTA chairman and CEO, Governor Andrew Cuomo has given a go ahead to the last MTA chairman to run for another term. Mr. Thomas Prendergast took control of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority in 2013, after previous Chairman Jay Walder and Joe Lhota resigned from the position in 2011 and 2012 respectively.

Above: Governor Cuomo and MTA Chairman Prendergast

 Cuomo announced at a breakfast forum that he will nominate Thomas Prendergast to serve as chairman for the next six years. Cuomo said during this forum "Prendergast has done a phenomenal job...I've seen him take command in true crisis, which gives you sense of the character and the leadership of the person." Prendergast might be set for a long six years term after previously completing two years of a turbulent six year term marked by change of chairmen.

“My mission at hand is to make sure I get a capital program and make sure that we meet the challenges that we’re seeing,” he said. “You’re seeing the ridership growth on the system and the challenges it’s presenting for us.”

Mr. Prendergast is wildly popular as he has acquired multiple transit executive positions over the course of his career. He was president of the LIRR (Long Island Rail Road) in the 1990s and president of NYC transit from 2009 to 2013, as well as other positions in New York, Chicago, Vancouver, and Washington.