MTA Chair Janno Lieber Marks Five-Year Milestone Amid Ongoing Transit Challenges

On July 31, 2026, Janno Lieber reached a significant milestone, completing five years as the chair of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority. Since the agency's inception in 1968, only four other individuals have held the position for at least five years, with Robert Kiley holding the record for the longest tenure at over seven years.

Lieber, who was initially appointed by former Governor Andrew Cuomo in 2021 and retained by Governor Kathy Hochul, has overseen a period of intense transition for the city's transit network. His tenure has included the implementation of congestion pricing and the completion of the Long Island Rail Road expansion into Grand Central. Reflecting on his time in the role, Lieber stated that he believes the agency has successfully shifted its narrative from one of fiscal instability to that of a world-class operator.

However, the leadership period has not been without friction. Lieber has faced public criticism from labor leadership and navigated political setbacks, including a temporary pause on congestion pricing ordered by the governor in 2024. Transit advocates, such as the Riders Alliance, have noted that Lieber’s steady hand was critical in maintaining operations following the pandemic, drawing comparisons to the leadership style of former chair Richard Ravitch.

As Lieber continues his term, the agency remains focused on immediate operational hurdles. Currently, the MTA is replacing aging switches on the Seventh Avenue Line, which has resulted in service disruptions for 1, 2, and 3 train riders during weekends and weeknights.

Beyond the Seventh Avenue project, the city’s transit landscape continues to evolve. The Department of Transportation is preparing to launch construction on the Bronx’s first busway along East Tremont Avenue next month. Additionally, the agency is working to address subway bottlenecks and has reached a settlement regarding the reliability of subway elevators, requiring public notification for future outages.

Whether Lieber will seek to surpass the record for the longest-serving MTA chair remains uncertain, as his future depends on potential reappointment by Governor Hochul.