Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) has named MTA Bus Company and Senior Vice President of New York City Transit’s (NYCT) Department of Buses Craig Cipriano to be interim president of NYCT, effective July 31, and Demetrius Crichlow has been promoted to senior vice president of NYCT’s Department of Subways, effective July 30.
Cipriano and Crichlow are part of MTA’s new leadership line up following Janno Lieber’s appointment last week to serve as acting MTA chairman and CEO.
“The pandemic revealed how important it is to have continuity and seasoned leaders at the MTA managing the daily challenges of our system,” said Acting MTA Chairman and CEO Janno Lieber. “Craig and Demetrius exemplify the very best of what NYCT has to offer. I know I will rely on them immensely as we continue the critical work of modernizing mass transit in the years ahead.”
Cipriano is a native of Brooklyn and has worked in all five boroughs of the bus system during his 30-year career in public transit. He began his career at Coney Island Yard in the Subways Division before moving to car equipment department and transferring to the Buses Division after completing the MTA’s Future Managers Program.
MTA says as manager of North America’s largest bus agency and paratransit operations, he has proven success as a strategic leader delivering customer-focused, technological and data-driven solutions. Cipriano executed the successful Staten Island Express Bus Network Redesign and led efforts to modernize the entire fleet with real-time bus information technology in all boroughs. He developed the agency’s plan to transition to a zero-emissions bus fleet by 2040 and led the Buses Division through the pandemic.
“Growing up in Brooklyn I knew firsthand how important the B42 bus and L train were to the people in my neighborhood, but I never dreamed I would one day have the honor of running New York City’s world class transit system,” said Cipriano. “I am excited to return to my subway roots where I began and lead the agency at this critical juncture as we work to bring ridership back and support the city’s recovery — building upon the improvements we have already made.”
Crichlow is also a lifelong New Yorker, as well as a third-generation transit employee – a legacy that started with his grandfather. Crichlow began his career with MTA in 1997 with Long Island Rail Road as an assistant signal maintainer and working his way through the ranks before transferring to MTA Headquarters. He has continued to take on positions of increasing management and system responsibility before being named acting executive vice president of NYCT’s subways division earlier this year.
“I strongly believe that the subway system is a powerful force for equity in New York City and I am grateful for the opportunity to help move the department forward alongside Craig and Janno,” said Senior Vice President for Subways Demetrius Crichlow. “The men and women who work for the Department of Subways are dedicated, committed professionals with real expertise and I am eager to work hand-in-hand with them."
Mischa Wanek-Libman | Group Editorial Director
Mischa Wanek-Libman is director of communications with Transdev North America. She has more than 20 years of experience working in the transportation industry covering construction projects, engineering challenges, transit and rail operations and best practices.
Wanek-Libman has held top editorial positions at freight rail and public transportation business-to-business publications including as editor-in-chief and editorial director of Mass Transit from 2018-2024. She has been recognized for editorial excellence through her individual work, as well as for collaborative content.
She is an active member of the American Public Transportation Association's Marketing and Communications Committee and served 14 years as a Board Observer on the National Railroad Construction and Maintenance Association (NRC) Board of Directors.
She is a graduate of Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Journalism and Mass Communication.
