NEW YORK—Joseph Lhota was confirmed as the chairman and CEO of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority on Monday by the New York Senate, almost four months after Governor Andrew Cuomo nominated him in October 2011.
Lhota began by fielding questions from the Senate’s Transportation Committee before moving to the Finance Committee. After receiving nominations from both, he appeared before the full Senate and was confirmed.
Many senators told Lhota they welcomed his experience and was glad he came back to private service. He has previously served in various public and private roles, including as the New York City Deputy Mayor for Operations under Mayor Rudolph Giuliani, and most recently as the executive vice president for The Madison Square Garden Company.
Lhota calmly endured criticism of the MTA, and rarely spoke unless answering direct questions. Almost all the senators began their comments by congratulating him and expressing their support.
When he spoke, he promised improving communication with the public, working “hand-in-hand” with the Transit Workers Union, and becoming more efficient—with initiatives like the experimental FastTrack program, which will shut down segments of subway track for four weeknights in a row, starting Jan. 9 with the 4, 5, 6 Line between Grand Central and Atlantic Ave.
Many senators expressed concerns about the MTA’s financial situation and its present overall condition, while a few acknowledged that the Senate needs to be more supportive of it.
“If we want to get New Yorkers out of cars, we have to have a first-class transportation system,” said Senator Eric Adams, “and Albany has not done enough.”
However, Adams noted that financial abuse by the MTA is something “we can’t have.”
Audits released by the state comptroller in 2011 show “systematic overtime abuse” at Metro-North (2); money wasted during track work on subways, including contracts being over budget; and an estimated $10.5 million from starting track-work late and ending early over a year and a half period. (3).
“The MTA is the most transparent part of the New York City government,” said Lhota, adding that mta.info has constantly updated subway, bus, and rail schedules, specific station information, and a section about the capital program, and that MTA has social media accounts on websites like Twitter and Tumblr.
“Anytime you feel that the information that you’re receiving from the MTA is not up to par or is not enough information, call me,” said Lhota to a senator who expressed disappointment about MTA’s financial transparency. Later, he said, “we’ve got to do a better job at marketing” the information available online.
Senators with districts outside of New York City, including Carl Marcellino and Stephen Saland, said they voted no for Lhota’s predecessor Jay Walder, but are behind Lhota.
Senator Daniel Squadron, who represents Lower Manhattan and parts of Brooklyn, told Lhota he hopes New York University’s proposal for taking over a building the MTA currently leases in downtown Brooklyn and converting it into lab space happens soon.
Lhota replied that he is open to the proposal and the main problem is moving communication equipment with the 2 and 3 lines from 270 Jay Street. “We can’t be in a position of subsidizing NYU,” he added, referring to the need for adequate compensation for the move.
At the full Senate confirmation where Lhota received unanimous “ayes,” Squadron said he “really enjoyed an open, honest, and particularly substantive confirmation discussion earlier. I enthusiastically vote aye.”
