NY: Carmen Bianco Named President of MTA New York City Transit

Sept. 18, 2013
Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) Chairman and CEO Thomas F. Prendergast announced Sept. 18 that following a nationwide search to serve as his permanent successor, he has appointed Carmen Bianco as president of MTA New York City Transit.

Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) Chairman and CEO Thomas F. Prendergast today announced that following a nationwide search to serve as his permanent successor, he has appointed Carmen Bianco as President of MTA New York City Transit.

New York City Transit is the largest mass transit provider in North America, moving more than 7.5 million customers a day on buses, subways, paratransit and Staten Island Railway in New York City. Bianco is the seventh person to serve as president since the title was created in 1980. He has served as Acting President since April, and previously served as Senior Vice President of the Department of Subways, overseeing the entire subway system since 2010.

“When I returned to New York City Transit, Carmen was my pick to head the Department of Subways because of his extensive background in safety, his management skills and his vision of guiding the system into the future,” said Chairman Prendergast. “Carmen is a leader with lengthy mass transit and railroad career experience. He understands the issues, is an advocate for the customer and will remain someone the employees can depend upon for support.”

Bianco, 61, led the subway system through the MTA’s response to Superstorm Sandy, which flooded tunnels, inundated stations and washed out tracks in the most devastating event to ever strike the subways. He oversaw the immediate efforts to pump out water and make round-the-clock emergency repairs, the unprecedented construction work to restore damaged areas to service, and the long-term planning to prevent future flooding.

“I am extremely proud, yet humbled at being picked to lead the 45,000 men and women who make up MTA New York City Transit,” Bianco said. “To perform this job to the best of my ability, I will need the assistance of each and every one of them. They are the people who go out on a daily basis and move New York City, and were responsible for restoring service after Sandy. While there are great challenges ahead, I know I am supported by the finest team in the mass transit industry. Together we will continue to improve the travel experience for our 7.5 million daily subway, bus, paratransit and Staten Island Railway customers.”

“There is no better person to lead NYC Transit into the future than Carmen Bianco,” Vice Chairman Fernando Ferrer said.  “Carmen is a dedicated and experienced professional who will work tirelessly to improve both customers’ and employees’ experiences throughout the system.”

Board member Allen Cappelli added, “Carmen is taking the helm during one of the most challenging periods in NYC Transit’s history.  He is the right man to spearhead our ongoing recovery efforts from the damage sustained as a result of Superstorm Sandy.”

“Carmen Bianco will champion for the riding public, said board member Andrew Albert.  “And I look forward to working with him on improving service for our 7.5 million customers.”

As head of subways, Bianco oversaw the restructuring of the Department of Subways, led the development of the successful Fastrack program, and continued New York City Transit’s introduction of new technologies, particularly those that improve customer communications and efficient train operation.

Bianco is a 30-year veteran of the transportation industry, who previously served as head of New York City Transit’s Department of System Safety from 1991 to 1995. Bianco has also held senior safety positions at Amtrak and NJ Transit. He returned to New York City Transit in March 2010 as Senior Vice President of subways, and was named Acting President after Governor Andrew M. Cuomo nominated Prendergast to be MTA Chairman and CEO in April.