NEW YORK — New York City Transit President Richard Davey has been named CEO of the Massachusetts Port Authority, departing from his job as head of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority department overseeing subways and buses after just two years.
The Massport board of directors voted today to select Davey over Eulois Cleckley, CEO of the transportation department for Florida’s Miami-Dade County, as the new chief executive. The two had been named as finalists two weeks ago, after Davey initially denied a report he was leaving [see “Head of New York subways buses announced as finalist …,” Trains News Wire, May 15, 2024].
MTA CEO Janno Lieber wasted no time in appointing Demetrius Crichlow as the new interim president of New York City Transit. The appointment announced today is effective June 14.
The Massport job will marks a return to the Boston area for Davey, who previously oversaw the area’s commuter rail system, served as general manager of the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority, and was Massachusetts transportation secretary from 2011 to 2014. As part of that position, he was chairman of the Massport board. The agency oversees three airports, including Boston’s Logan International, as well as cargo and cruise ship terminals. The Boston Globe reports it employs some 1,300 people, with up to 20,000 others employed by tenants at its various facilities.
Davey will be offered a five-year contract with a base salary of $420,000 per year, according to the Globe.
Crichlow, senior vice president of NYC Transit’s Department of Subways since July 2021, began his career with the MTA in 1997 as an assistant signal maintainer at the Long Island Rail Road. He rose through the ranks to become LIRR Train Movement Supervisor overseeing operations at Penn Station Central Control, then in 2007 transferred to MTA headquarters, becoming special assistant for operations for then-Executive Direcotr Elliot G. (Lee) Sander.
When he became New York City Transit’s deputy general manager for the L Line, he became the third generation of his family to work for the subway system. He subsequently served as chief officer of field operations, chief officer of the Operations Control Center, and vice president and chief officer of the Staten Island Railway.
“Demetrius is a long-time leader at New York City Transit who has ensured subway system performance remains at record levels even as we dramatically increased service beginning last summer,” Lieber said in a press release. “I have confidence that he will be able to build on the successes he’s helped to achieve.”
Ridership has risen 67% during Crichlow’s term as vice president, as subway use continues to recover from pandemic-period lows.
“I am thrilled to continue improving the experience of 1.3 billion annual subway, bus, and paratransit customers,” Crichlow said. “As a third-generation MTA career professional, I am passionate about how public transportation can improve the lives of millions of people in New York City. We at New York City Transit will keep furthering our efforts to enhance service, safety, and accessibility.”
