New York, NY - September 18th, 2013 - 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.”

As head of Subways, Bianco oversaw the restructuring of the Department of Subways, led the development of the successful the 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.