Andy Byford, who earned the nickname “Train Daddy” while running the New York City subway, has been chosen by the Trump administration to lead its effort to rebuild Pennsylvania Station, according to three people familiar with the decision.
Mr. Byford’s appointment must still be confirmed next week by the board of Amtrak, the federal entity that owns the station. Still, he is poised to take the helm of one of the most high-profile, complex and expensive construction projects in the United States.
Mr. Byford took control of New York City’s bus and subway network in 2018 after what became known as the system’s “summer of hell” the previous year, when track fires and long delays frustrated commuters. He became popular among riders for improving service soon after being installed in the job.
He also led the effort in 2019 to win state lawmakers’ support for congestion pricing, a first-in-the-nation tolling program meant to reduce Manhattan gridlock and raise money needed for mass transit repairs.
The program has been criticized by President Trump and Sean Duffy, the transportation secretary, both of whom have threatened to withhold billions of dollars in federal transportation aid unless New York State stops charging tolls to drivers going into the Manhattan congestion zone.
Stefanos Chen is a Times reporter covering New York City’s transit system.
Christopher Maag is a reporter covering the New York City region for The Times.
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