NEW YORK — Demetrius Crichlow, who has been serving as interim president of New York City Transit for the past four months, was appointed to the position on a permanent basis today (Wednesday, Oct. 23) by Metropolitan Transportation Authority CEO Janno Lieber.
Crichlow becomes the 12th president of the MTA department overseeing New York’s subways, buses, paratransit services, and the Staten Island Railway. The 27-year MTA veteran is the first African American to hold the position.
Lieber also named Tim Mulligan, currently deputy chief development officer at MTA Construction and Development, to a newly created role, chief of rolling stock program, and appointed Mersida Ibric as Chief People Officer after six month in that role on an acting basis.
“Demetrius Crichlow spends most of his waking hours thinking about what’s great about transit service and how it can be even better for millions of New Yorkers,” Lieber said in a press release. “And that’s exactly who need we leading a 24/7 system that moves our lives. Demetrius has proven that he’s the right leader for this moment of challenges and opportunity.”
Said Crichlow, “I’ve been here for 27 going on 28 years and I’ve learned the system, the people. but I’m always learning more and we’re at a point where this organization is prepared to change with new cars, new infrastructure and it needs a steady hand to guide it. I’m honored to be taking on that role. It means the world to me and acknowledges a lifelong career of public service and now it’s time to get to work.”
Crichlow had been named to the interim president role in May when Richard Davey, who previously held the post, became head of the Massachusetts Port Authority [see “New York City Transit President Davey selected …,” Trains News Wire, May 29, 2024].
I hope for Mr. Critchlow’s sake taht he’s nearing retirement age. God Himself couldn’t come up with the money that NYCTA needs to spend.