Kathrine Frich
Running a massive transit network requires constant compromise and fierce negotiation.
The people in the boardroom ultimately decide how millions get to work every day.
Now, a fast-approaching deadline is forcing a major political decision.
A ticking clock
New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani has just weeks to fill two empty seats on the transit authority board. According to The City, the local Albany legislative session wraps up on June 4.
The mayor holds four seats on the panel that controls budgets and sets fares. Governor Kathy Hochul largely controls the massive regional network.
Mamdani needs strong allies to push his ambitious transit agenda. He desperately wants to speed up city buses and eliminate their fares entirely.
Data from the transit authority shows local buses crawled at a painful average of 8.3 miles per hour in March.
Finding the right voice
Two spots sit wide open right now. Former deputy mayor Meera Joshi left her position last June.
Midori Valdivia resigned in March after Mamdani tapped her to lead the taxi commission. Their replacements will join mayoral holdovers David Jones and Dan Garodnick.
Lisa Daglian directs a permanent citizens advisory committee. She told The City that these new choices matter immensely.
“Having someone who is reflective of his values and adding another member of his administration to voice his interests and his concerns is going to be helpful to the many people who are depending on buses,” Daglian said.
The bully pulpit
City Hall has stayed totally quiet about potential candidates. Spokesperson Jeremy Edwards gave a brief written statement regarding the upcoming choices.
“New Yorkers deserve a public transit system that is affordable, reliable and accountable to the people who depend on it every day,” Edwards noted.
Former board member Polly Trottenberg explained that mayoral picks play a huge role despite being outnumbered. The governor appoints the agency head and controls six board members.
“Who the mayor picks is important,” Trottenberg explained to The City. “What I found in my time is that you don’t always have the votes, but you always have the bully pulpit.”
Standing your ground
Sometimes those board meetings get very tense. Another former member mentioned that city representatives must be willing to fight.
“It’s not useful if whomever is put on the board is not a vocal advocate for the priorities,” Veronica Vanterpool said.
Mamdani will submit his final recommendations to Hochul very soon. The State Senate must then approve the choices before the summer deadline.
Sources: The City
