Andy Byford, the New York City Transit Authority chief credited for helping to turn around the subway system while overseeing a plan to revamp the Bronx bus network, has resigned today. His resignation comes two years after he signed on.

Byford’s resignation was first reported by Politico.

At today’s MTA Board meeting, Byford said a few words of thanks. “I’d like to say a big thank you to Governor [Andrew] Cuomo for giving me this opportunity, but also Governor Cuomo and the legislature for having the courage to pass congestion pricing, but also get the funds that I know will deliver the capital plans. It’s unprecedented,” said Byford, who also thanked the millions of riders for “putting up with me.”

 

Andy Byford was a tremendous asset to our city. He was working on the right things and it’s essential that the MTA continue working on those things going forward.

— Jeffrey Dinowitz (@JeffreyDinowitz) January 23, 2020

The announcement comes nearly a week after Byford announced the MTA would keep the express bus system the same as it proceeds to revamp the regular bus route system, a plan that’s still in the works. It also comes a few weeks after Byford announced that the 4 subway line would receive elevators in the Bronx.

The news roiled elected officials who developed a respect for Byford, who had replaced Ronnie Hakim in 2018. On Twitter, Assemblyman Jeff Dinowitz, whose northern Assembly district was grossly impacted by the the bus redesign plan, called Byford a “tremendous asset to our city.”

“He was working on the right things and it’s essential that the MTA continue working on those things going forward,” said Dinowitz.

Byford also received praise for John Samuelson, head of the Transit Workers Union, at the latest MTA board meeting on Jan. 23. “You bought a level of compassion to this job that will be difficult to replace,” said Samuelson.

Byford’s last day is Feb. 21. His resignation comes three months after Byford reportedly resigned in October, citing a contentious feud with  Cuomo, whose influence on the MTA board is vast. That resignation was ultimately rescinded.