Good riddance

We are happy that Jay H Walder is resigning from the MTA CEO and Chair effective October 21, 2011 - we would have preferred that it was effective immediately, however we will  accept his resignation. We here in why did you join the union do not believe his resignation will be panacea to the MTA ills or whether we will fare better with a new appointee.

We here in why did you join the union are disturbed that John E Samuelsen’s friends have said the following:

 “MTA Chairman and CEO Jay Walder has been an effective, innovative leader. He helped restore the agency’s credibility and changed the way it does business, finding billions of dollars in savings during his tenure,” Kate Slevin, Tri-State Transportation Campaign Executive Director, said.”

Paul Steely White, executive director of Transportation Alternatives, echoed those sentiments. “Jay Walder steered the MTA through its toughest challenges since the bad old days of the 70s,” he said. “Facing a daunting fiscal situation brought on by the governor and state legislature’s repeated budget raids, Walder kept our trains and buses serving millions of New Yorkers 24 hours every day. His work to bring Select Bus Service and Real-Time updates to transit riders is bringing New York City’s transit system into the 21st Century and will help keep the city and region competitive with other global leaders vying for business, talent and capital. Mr. Walder’s commitment to the necessity of transit in the lives of New Yorkers has set a high bar, and his successor must come with equal leadership to steer the MTA and the region through the rough terrain ahead.”

Senator Martin Golden called it “a loss to the city and state of New York” but doesn’t believe he was pushed out, sentiments I’m hearing from inside the MTA as well. “I think he was just hitting his stride,” Golden said, “and got an offer he couldn’t refuse. It’s unfortunate for us.”

James Vacca “While Chairman Walder deserves credit for taking on many structural issues that previous MTA leaders had delayed for a tomorrow that never came, the MTA continues to face a $250 million operating gap and a capital budget that runs out January 1. It’s getting harder and harder to do more with less, and the MTA needs someone at the helm not only who understands the role mass transit plays in the lives of everyday New Yorkers but who is prepared to get to work on day one.”

With friends like these who needs enemies - we were curious about the straphanger campaign who have not revealed their true colors.