Demetrius Crichlow, a longtime transit worker, was announced as the new president of the MTA on Wednesday. MTA Chair and CEO Janno Lieber stated that Crichlow, currently serving as interim president, was appointed due to his deep knowledge of the system.
“You need a steady hand to secure guidance and leadership … and I’m honored to be taking on that role,” Crichlow told reporters at a press conference announcing his new gig.
“I don’t have any plans of going anytime soon. This is my life,” the 27-year MTA veteran assured reporters in response to questions about his expected tenure.
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The longtime transit worker “bleeds MTA blue”, Lieber said.
Crichlow, the newly appointed president of the MTA, comes from a family with a rich history in the transit system—his grandfather was a porter, and his father was a car inspector for the MTA.
“I started my career at the MTA 27 years ago as an assistant signal maintainer at the Long Island Rail Road. I was promoted through the ranks up to Train Movement Supervisor, overseeing operations at Penn Station Central Control,” he wrote in July when he was made interim president of New York City Transit.
“Then in 2007, I transferred to MTA Headquarters to become Special Assistant for Operations for then-Chair and CEO Lee Sander before taking leadership positions at Staten Island Railway and eventually running the entire NYC subway system.”
On his first day in his interim role, he announced the expansion of the Automated Camera Enforcement Program (ACE). “That’s the program to ticket drivers who illegally park in bus stops and bus lanes, enabling bus operators and passengers to move faster and safer,” he stated. “We also began the first phase of the G line shutdown, so crews can install modern signals and do station improvements,” he further mentioned.
As the new president of the MTA, Crichlow has announced plans to implement significant changes to New York City’s subway system, including new cars, infrastructure, stations, signals, and improved accessibility, according to the New York Post.
The MTA president position became available in May when the then-president, Davey, was found to be interviewing for the CEO position at the Massachusetts Port Authority.
Sources told The Post that Davey was “frustrated” with his role at the MTA. He ultimately secured the MassPort job.
