Demetrius Crichlow appointed as permanent president of New York City Transit.
The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (M.T.A.) has appointed Demetrius Crichlow as the president of New York City Transit, overseeing the city’s subway and bus networks. With nearly 30 years of experience at the M.T.A., Mr. Crichlow is tasked with addressing the challenges facing public transit in New York City, including deteriorating infrastructure, budget deficits, and fare evasion.
Mr. Crichlow, who comes from a family with a history of working at the M.T.A., has been serving as interim president since the summer and has now been appointed permanently. His priorities include improving train performance, enhancing weekend service, and maintaining cleaner stations to enhance the overall transit experience for New Yorkers.
Despite conducting a national search, the M.T.A. ultimately selected Mr. Crichlow for the role. He assumes the position during a challenging financial period for the authority, as it grapples with the loss of over $15 billion in funding due to the suspension of a congestion pricing program and significant revenue declines from reduced ridership during the pandemic.
Fare evasion on subways and buses has further strained the M.T.A.’s finances, costing the authority hundreds of millions of dollars annually. The M.T.A. has identified $65 billion in necessary upgrades for the transportation network, including subway car replacements, tunnel repairs, and elevator installations. However, funding remains a significant obstacle, with only half of the required funds currently available.
Mr. Crichlow’s career at the M.T.A. began in 1997 with the Long Island Rail Road, where he started as an assistant signal maintainer. Over the years, he moved up the ranks and joined the executive leadership team in 2007. As the first Black person to hold this key position at the M.T.A., Mr. Crichlow aims to bring lasting change to the city’s transit system, emphasizing the need for a longer tenure to make a meaningful impact.
In his new role, Mr. Crichlow is committed to addressing the challenges facing New York City Transit and advancing the M.T.A.’s goals outlined in its capital plan. By leveraging his extensive experience and leadership skills, he aims to drive improvements in service quality, infrastructure maintenance, and financial sustainability to ensure a reliable and efficient transit system for all New Yorkers.
Source: The NY Times
