Andy Byford, NYCT President, presents a New Vision for New York City Transit at NYU

The NYU Rudin Center for Transportation and Regional Plan Association co-hosted the first public forum on the New York City Transit Authority's Fast Forward: The Plan to Modernize New York City Transit initiative. The ambitious plan to address the city's transit issues was presented by NYCT President Andy Byford on May 24, 2018.

President Byford was introduced by Mitchell Moss, Director of the Rudin Center and Scott Rechler, Chairman of Regional Plan Association. Rechler compared Byford to Superman, working to rescue the subway system. Byford presented plans for every aspect of New York City transit, as well as equity and accessibility issues facing riders and employees. 

A panel discussion was held after Byford's presentation and moderated by Sarah Kaufman, Assistant Director of NYU Rudin Center. The panel included Byford as well as Chris Pangilinan, Program Director, Transit Center John Raskin, Executive Director, Riders Alliance, Julie Samuels, Executive Director, Tech: NYC,  Tom Wright, President, Regional Plan Association, and Angela Pinsky, Executive Director, ABNY. The panel covered questions about how business and tech industries could contribute to the Fast Forward plan, what were specific plans in place for improved accessibility for differently abled riders, and more in-depth discussion for the Fast Forward plan's approaches to improving the bus system. 

A Q&A session held with audience members at the end of the event included questions on funding the plan presented by Byford. Byford's response: "My job was to make the plan. I did that." He was also asked how he planned to create an inclusive work environment that welcomed women. He pointed to out his previous positions where he hired people based on merit, always keeping in mind a need for diversity on his staff. 

View more photos from the event here