Hakim returns to MTA as head of NYCT

Written by Jenifer Nunez, assistant editor
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New York City Transit named Veronique Hakim as the eighth permanent president of the agency. Hakim is a career transportation professional who has returned to MTA after an earlier 23-year career at the agency.

 

For the past year and a half, she has served as the executive director of New Jersey Transit. She previously served nearly four years as executive director of the New Jersey Turnpike Authority.

“Our transit network is the lifeblood of the entire region and I am glad to welcome [Veronique] back to New York City Transit and to entrust her with the responsibility of ensuring safe and reliable service even as ridership grows every month,” MTA Chairman and CEO Thomas Prendergast said. “[Veronique’s] comprehensive transportation experience, her detailed vision for the future and her demonstrated ability to bring real improvements to customers make her the right person to tackle New York City Transit’s challenges now.”

In her time at the MTA, Hakim served as special counsel at New York City Transit, as well as executive vice president and general counsel at MTA Capital Construction, where she provided senior management with policy and legal advice on megaprojects, such as the Second Avenue Subway, East Side Access and the 7 train extension to Hudson Yards.

“Having spent more than two decades of my life at the MTA, I am deeply honored to have the opportunity to lead New York City Transit at a time when surging ridership is affecting every element of its operations,” Hakim said. “Subway and bus customers have high expectations for the network they rely on every day and I look forward to meeting their expectations of safety, reliability and quality at New York City Transit.”

Hakim will start her new role as President on December 28, replaing James Ferrara, the president of MTA Bridges and Tunnels, who has been serving as interim president of New York City Transit since the August retirement of Carmen Bianco.

 

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