MTA appoints Sarah Feinberg as interim president of New York City Transit

Sarah Feinberg, the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) Transit Committee chair and former administrator of the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA), has been named interim president of New York City Transit (NYCT).

As interim president, Feinberg will oversee the 48,000-person workforce of the NYCT, as well as operations for New York City subways, buses, paratransit services and the Staten Island Railway.

"I’m thrilled to be serving as president of New York City Transit – as a transportation professional there’s no greater impact on public service than working with the people responsible for the safe and efficient transportation of eight million New Yorkers every day,” said Feinberg. “I could not be happier and more proud to join this incredible team and look forward to jumping into the work right away."

Feinberg brings a wealth of experience to the position, having previously served in several high-ranking leadership posts under President Barack Obama. Feinberg was the second woman in history to lead the FRA. Feinberg also previously served as chief of staff at U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) and special assistant to the President and Senior Advisor to White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel. Feinberg has also spent time in the private sector at Facebook and Bloomberg, LP.

“We’re thrilled to have Chair Feinberg lead New York City Transit at this important time in the MTA’s history,” said MTA Chairman and CEO Patrick J. Foye. “I am confident she will carry forward the progress we have achieved to bring performance to record levels, modernize our system for customers and build on the success of the Subway Action Plan.”

“As an MTA board member, Sarah has been outspoken in support of our 8 million daily customers and I know she will bring that same passion as she leads the agency as interim president,” said MTA Chief Operating Officer Mario Peloquin. “Sarah is eminently qualified to push New York City Transit to new heights and she will advance New York City Transit’s commitment to improve customers’ commutes and get our riders where they need to go faster and safer.”

As FRA Administrator, Feinberg developed and enforced rail safety regulations for both freight and passenger rail and managed a multi-billion-dollar rail investment portfolio. During her time at FRA, Feinberg also completed and signed two of the largest loans in USDOT history; focused the rail industry’s attention on emerging safety threats such as the opioid crisis; and after many years of delay, helped have the U.S. rail system begin full implementation of Positive Train Control.

Prior to joining FRA, Feinberg served as USDOT chief of staff, where she provided strategic advice and counsel to the Secretary of Transportation regarding operational and legislative initiatives across all modes of transportation and helped lead and direct the agency and its more than 57,000 employees.

From 2009-2010, Feinberg served in the Obama Administration as special assistant to the President and Senior Advisor to White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel. As the chief of staff’s liaison to the Obama economic team, the national security team and the press and communications departments, she most notably worked on the White House’s strategic response to the country's fiscal and economic crisis, the H1N1 flu pandemic and other significant crises that arose during the first two years of the Obama administration.

Feinberg previously served on the Amtrak Board of Directors and currently serves on the StoryCorps Board of Directors and the NHP Foundation Board of Directors. Feinberg is a native of Charleston, W.V., and she and her family reside in New York City.

Feinberg's first day as NYCT president will be March 9. The MTA will conduct a search for a permanent replacement.

“This is fantastic news for New York City Transit and our hard working, dedicated employees,” said Sally Librera, NYCT senior vice president for Subways. “Having someone with her proven leadership abilities will be key in continuing to improve subway performance for our customers. Chair Feinberg is one of the best in the business and we’re fortunate to have her.”

“I am excited to hear that Chair Feinberg will be leading the agency,” said Craig Cipriano, NYCT senior vice president for Buses and president of the MTA Bus Company. “This is a time of so much positive momentum and renewal for New York City Buses, and I know Chair Feinberg shares the enthusiasm we all do to continue our progress. She has been instrumental in the development of the recent achievements the bus system has made, such as automated bus lane enforcement and been very supportive of our redesign efforts. I can’t think of a person with more proven leadership ability to take on the challenges we face.”