Mixed Verdict on Kalikow's MTA Reign

Now that MTA Chairman Peter Kalikow has announced his resignation, the newspapers are assessing his tenure. And the verdict is that Kalikow did usher the MTA into an era of high ridership and capital improvement and help ed set up many big projects (Second Avenue Subway, East Side Access). But he also oversaw the agency during the transit strike.

The Straphangers Campaign's Gene Russianoff tells the NY Times, "He ended up with probably what was the worst labor relations in the 25 years we’ve followed the system. It was, I think, purely Pataki politics that dictated what happened.” And in a nod to Kalikow's background as a rich real estate developer, the Tri-State Transportation Campaign's Jonathan Orcutt tells amNewYork, "The model of having a rich guy who doesn't need to be paid heading the MTA will probably go by the wayside."

Kalikow acknowledged it was a tough job, saying, “I could actually take my jacket off and show you the bruises to prove it.” The Post has an editorial that acknowledges some of Kalikow's problems, but ends it with, "If the next MTA chairman is as adroit at managing these complex projects as his predecessor was in starting them, New York will be fortunate indeed. As fortunate as the city has been to have had Peter Kalikow at the MTA for the last seven years."

And the NY Times' William Neuman reminded of us a "colorful" Kalikow moment. Here's how Newsday described it back in 2003:

"We could pee in our pants now... But we're going to face it again next year, guys," he said at the breakfast gathering sponsored by West Side Chamber of Commerce.

That was all a way of saying that that no matter what the courts decide, subway and bus base fares will have to stay at $2, or jump even higher next year.

...[I]n response to a question from a reporter in the audience about whether the agency might settle out of court with fare hike opponents, he related a story his grandfather once told him about his childhood.

"It was minus 10 degrees," Kalikow began. "He was bundled up and the snow was 40 feet high. Then all of a sudden he had to take a pee. What does he do? If he unbuttons his 50 layers of clothing, he'll freeze to death. He doesn't want to do it, so he says 'Lemme just go.' "

Guests at Tavern on the Green shifted in their chairs. Most had just finished eating a breakfast of waffles and bacon.

"Guess what? The urge now was gratified," continued Kalikow. "It felt warm and comfortable and soft. And he says 'This is pretty good.' Then ten minutes later it freezes."

The next MTA chairman will not wield as much power at Kalikow, and it was even a possibility that the job of MTA CEO and executive director Elliot Sander would also include the chairmanship, but Spitzer will select a part-time chairman. The Sun says that Spitzer may select Elizabeth Moore, currently a partner at Nixon Peabody LLP and was previously a counsel to Governor Cuomo.

Photograph of Kalikow by Jori Klein.

Contact the author of this article or email tips@gothamist.com with further questions, comments or tips.

By Jen Chung in News on May 8, 2007 10:05 AM

Comments [rss]

Anonymass

someone with initiative and ambition can really effect change with the help of th[sic] mayors office

Oh darn... the majority of the MTA board is "appointed" by the governor. If it was up to Bloomberg, 2nd Ave line and West Side Access would have been completed last year!

Anonymous

Anonymass,

sure the bureaucracy is a problem, but someone with initiative and ambition can really effect change with the help of th mayors office.

It takes a lot more than throwing money at the problems. Apparently, the MTA finds millions of dollars to give people a silly holiday discount instead of send out a B train more than once every 40 minutes. Priorities are fucked. The city council thinks that we should just give free cash to renters instead of working on our transportation infrastructure.

So, yes I believe some of that Budget surplus should help the MTA, but they need to rework how they spend their existing budget first

Anonymass

We need someone in that job that can fix it

How about giving someone the authority and the budget to fix it??????

Anonymous

the MTA is broken.. it has been broken for a very long time. We need someone in that job that can fix it

Reality Czech

With or without Kalikow NYC's subway system is nearing capacity. Hopefully, the 2nd avenue subway will ease the congestion but doubtful as the congestion is really in the outer boroughs. Like today I wait five minutes for a train, then that train makes three stops in the tunnel before the next station yet obviously there is no train ahaed of it, so why is it stopping? Because the signals and other things are so out-dated and in need of a major ovwerhaul. It's really kind of sad that what is supposed to be the Capital of the World - NYC has such pathetic subway service.

And it won't be getting better anytime soon.

Tim N.

He did a better job running the Post.

timbnyc

He's a developer, and he ran the MTA for developers - his major accomplishment will be the extension of the 7 train to try to open up the West side for development. All the other big projects - the downtown transit hub, etc. - came out of 9/11 and the desire (esp. by Shelly Silver) to get a lot of construction projects going.

Patrick

The MTA has been run like crap for a very long time. It's not all one person because, system wide, there are major problems. I think the best thing would be to clean house and start over. Obviously this would be done over time but the idiots that work at the MTA obviously don't care about doing their job well.

I'd like to see a Reno 911 spin off called MTA 212.