Andy Byford, the former NYC Transit President affectionately known as “Train Daddy,” is returning to New York City to oversee the long-delayed overhaul of Penn Station. Now serving as Senior Vice President of High-Speed Rail at Amtrak, Byford has been appointed by the White House to lead this high-profile project, following the federal government’s decision to reassign oversight from the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) to federal control.
Byford’s previous tenure in New York was marked by significant improvements in subway performance, achieving peak on-time rates before his departure in 2020 due to conflicts with then-Governor Andrew Cuomo. His return has been met with praise from Governor Kathy Hochul and MTA officials, despite recent state funding withdrawals from the project.
The federal appointment underscores a renewed commitment to modernizing Penn Station, aiming to transform it into a world-class transit hub. Byford’s leadership is expected to bring much-needed momentum to the project, addressing long-standing issues and setting a new course for one of the nation’s busiest transportation centers.