Marcus Molinaro may become the next administrator of the Federal Transit Administration (FTA), according to early reports and statements from industry associations.
Molinaro, who most recently served as the U.S. representative for New York’s 19th district, would be responsible for managing billions of dollars in grant funding and oversight activities. During his time in Congress, Molinaro served on the House Committee on Agriculture, the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure (T&I) and the House Committee on Small Business.
In a post on X, formerly Twitter, House T&I Committee Chair Sam Graves (R-MO-6) said, “Marc Molinaro was a valued and active T&I member, successfully moving bills through committee and the House, including bills to improve ADA compliance in transportation. He'll be a valuable addition to [Secretary Sean Duffy’s] team as FTA administrator, and I support his nomination.”
Molinaro was elected to his position in 2022, representing Broome, Chenango, Columbia, Cortland, Delaware, Greene, Sullivan, Tioga and Tompkins counties and parts of Otsego and Ulster county. He’s served in public office throughout the state of New York for most of his life, including serving as mayor of Tivoli, N.Y., from 1995-2007; a member of the Dutchess County Legislature from 1999-2006; a member of the New York State assembly from 2007-2011; and as county executive for Dutchess County from 2012-2022.
He unsuccessfully ran for governor of New York in 2018 and as a candidate for a special election to the 117th Congress in 2022. He was unsuccessful in seeking reelection to the 119th Congress in 2024.
Industry reacts to Molinaro’s nomination
In a statement, American Public Transportation Association (APTA) President Paul Skoutelas said, “The American Public Transportation Association congratulates former Representative Marcus Molinaro on his nomination as administrator of the Federal Transit Administration.
“Public transportation fuels America’s economic prosperity. Our $79 billion industry employs 430,000 people directly and supports millions of private-sector jobs, driving growth and innovation across the nation. From bus and railcar manufacturing to component production, public transit powers a thriving domestic manufacturing sector through Buy America requirements and a robust supply chain.
“As the development of the next Surface Transportation Authorization Act approaches, APTA and its 1,600-plus member organizations are eager to collaborate with Mr. Molinaro. Together, we aim to secure robust federal investments that will strengthen our nation’s public transportation infrastructure, bolster the economy and enhance mobility for all Americans.
“Mr. Molinaro’s experience and dedication to public transit position him to tackle the industry’s challenges and seize its opportunities. As a former New York County Executive and Member of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, he knows firsthand the difference that public transportation makes in people’s daily lives. We look forward to working with Mr. Molinaro to drive economic growth, create American manufacturing jobs, and build stronger communities through public transportation.”
The Transport Workers Union (TWU) of America also released a statement in support of Molinaro.
“Marc Molinaro was a strong advocate for public transit in downstate New York while serving in Congress. His experience will be essential for navigating transit issues nationwide,” said TWU International President John Samuelsen. “He has demonstrated a willingness to work with everyone – including trade unions – and he understands the challenges and issues the FTA will face. The TWU strongly supports Marc Molinaro’s nomination and urges his swift confirmation.”
TWU notes Molinaro defended existing federal transit worker protections while serving in Congress, and he argued that the current rules enabled more productive contract negotiations with TWU members in New York while he served as the Dutchess County executive.
The TWU says it worked extensively with Molinaro during his time in Congress, as the union includes thousands of transit and rail workers in New York State who work for the Metropolitan Transportation Authority.
Megan Perrero | Editor in Chief
Megan Perrero is a national award-winning B2B journalist and lover of all things transit. Currently, she is the Editor in Chief of Mass Transit magazine, where she develops and leads a multi-channel editorial strategy while reporting on the North American public transit industry.
Prior to her position with Mass Transit, Perrero was the senior communications and external relations specialist for the Shared-Use Mobility Center, where she was responsible for helping develop internal/external communications, plan the National Shared Mobility Summit and manage brand strategy and marketing campaigns.
Perrero serves as the board secretary for Latinos In Transit and is a member of the American Public Transportation Association Marketing and Communications Committee. She holds a bachelor’s degree in multimedia journalism with a concentration in magazine writing and a minor in public relations from Columbia College Chicago.
