Spurred Improvements
Reuter to Exit As 'Transit' President

By GINGER ADAMS OTIS

Lawrence G. Reuter, the President of New York City Transit since 1996, announced Jan. 3 that he'll leave his position in early February to take an executive position at an engineering firm in Florida.

LAWRENCE G. REUTER: Ushered in key changes.

In a brief statement released through the Metropolitan Transportation Authority, Mr. Reuter said that "leading the men and women of NYC Transit has been the high point of my career."

'Premier Transit System'

"The opportunity to join a large firm and be closer to my grandchildren was too appealing to turn down," he said. "I am leaving NYC Transit in an excellent position to continue the forward momentum that has made it the premier transit system in the world."

He will be joining Parsons Brinckerhoff, which has done extensive work for NYC Transit.

Mr. Reuter's announcement came only a few hours before Governor Spitzer's State of the State address in Albany. The new Governor was unable to appoint his own Chairman of the MTA because George Pataki, in his last year as Governor, nominated current MTA Chairman Peter L. Kalikow for another six-year term. The Senate approved the nomination last spring.

LEE SANDER: Urged to choose on merit.

Mr. Kalikow, flouting convention, said he wouldn't immediately step down to make room for a new appointee after Mr. Spitzer won the November election.

In a hearing chaired by Assemblyman Richard Brodsky late last year, Mr. Kalikow said he'd probably resign during the second quarter of 2007, after overseeing the start of two subway expansion projects on Manhattan's East Side.

Sander to Call Shots

Mr. Spitzer appointed Lee Sander, former Transportation Commissioner in the Giuliani Administration, to replace outgoing Executive Director Katherine Lapp. He added the title CEO, making it clear that Mr. Sander was empowered to run the agency as he saw fit rather than having to defer to Mr. Kalikow.

Mr. Sander complimented Mr. Reuter on a job well done, saying that "all New Yorkers owe him a debt of gratitude."

Mr. Kalikow said Mr. Reuter's time at NYC Transit led to a "continued resurgence of our bus and subway network. He will be sorely missed."

During Mr. Reuter's tenure as president, MTA officials said, NYC Transit played a key role in the city's economic revitalization in the 1990s and in the recovery of the region following the 2001 terrorist attack on the World Trade Center.

Under Mr. Reuter, both the subway and bus fleets were given an infusion of 21st-Century technology, resulting in more efficient and dependable operation. Gains were also made in accessible transit and the automated fare collection system, which facilitated free bus-to-subway transfers and other rider incentives.

Toussaint Gives Thanks

Transport Workers' Union Local 100 President Roger Toussaint, who opposed many initiatives NYC Transit began to implement under Mr. Reuter's leadership to decrease subway personnel, from One Person Train Operation and Communications-Based Train Control to the closing of token booths, had little to say about his resignation.

"TWU Local 100 would like to wish Larry well in his new endeavor and thank him for his public service," the union leader said.

Gene Russianoff, head of the New York Public Interest Research Group's Straphangers Campaign, issued a statement calling on Mr. Sander and the MTA board to "choose a transit professional with the kind of experience Mr. Reuter brought to the job."

He added that the appointment of a new NYC Transit president "should serve to hold the new Spitzer Administration more accountable to the riding public."

The Straphangers Campaign had its share of disagreements with Mr. Reuter, Mr. Russianoff noted, on matters from the clarity of public-address announcements to subway car cleanliness to the adequacy of subway and bus service.

"But those disagreements do not stop us from acknowledging very positive trends that occurred under President Reuter's tenure," Mr. Russianoff said, citing improved service, free transfers using the MetroCard system and upgraded technology as major achievements.