PHOTO: MTA Bridges and Tunnels President James Ferrara has been named interim president of MTA New York City Transit as the agency continues its search to replace Carmen Bianco, who will retire on Aug. 21. Photo Courtesy of Patrick Cashin/MTA
Metropolitan Transportation Authority Chairman and CEO Tom Prendergast on Tuesday named borough resident James Ferrara as interim president of New York City Transit.
Ferrara, who currently runs MTA Bridges and Tunnels, will make the temporary move to the agency which operates subway, bus and paratransit service in the city on Aug. 21, when MTA veteran Carmen Bianco retires. Ferrara has named Bridges and Tunnels Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer Donald Spero to serve as acting Bridges and Tunnels president during the transition period.
“Running MTA New York City Transit is one of the most complicated and critical jobs in the entire MTA, and Jim’s excellent judgment and strong managerial skills make me confident the agency will be in good hands while we find Transit’s next permanent president,” Prendergast said.
Ferrara, who hails from Brooklyn, began his MTA career as a Bridges and Tunnels Officer in 1977. He was named president of Bridges and Tunnels in 2010.
“I am honored to be asked to assume this challenging role, and I thank the Chairman for entrusting me with it,” Ferrara said. “This temporary shift will require continued good work and support from my colleagues at Bridges and Tunnels as well as NYCT, and I thank them in advance for their help advancing the work of the entire MTA.”
By Michael V. Cusenza
michael@theforumnewsgroup.com
