New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) Chairman and CEO Thomas F. Prendergast announced Wednesday, Sept. 18, 2013 that he has appointed Carmen Bianco as president of MTA New York City Transit.
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.
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.
"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 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."
"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. He added, "Together we will continue to improve the travel experience for our 7.5 million daily subway, bus, paratransit and Staten Island Railway customers."
Bianco 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.