Phillip Eng first joined the MTA in March 2017 when he was appointed COO, where he was responsible for leading major initiatives across all of the MTA’s agencies with a focus on innovation and technology.
New York’s Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) Chairman Joseph J. Lhota and MTA Managing Director Veronique "Ronnie" Hakim announced the appointment of Phillip Eng as the next president of the Long Island Rail Road.
Eng first joined the MTA in March 2017 when he was appointed COO, where he was responsible for leading major initiatives across all of the MTA’s agencies with a focus on innovation and technology while maintaining and improving safety and reliability. Modernization of the transportation systems became a key focal point during his time as COO to improve customer service with the development of new fare payment systems, mobile ticketing apps, technology integration, and procurement of new rolling stock and buses. Finding efficiencies and opportunities to streamline functions, Eng also was an integral part in the delivery of MTA’s 2015-2019 $29.5 billion Capital Program.
From October 2017 to January 2018, Eng concurrently held the position of acting president at New York City Transit. He succeeds Patrick Nowakowski, who served as LIRR president for nearly four years.
Eng’s appointment comes at an exciting and important time for the LIRR, as billions of dollars in key infrastructure programs are currently underway and expected to be delivered over the next several years. The Double Track Project, which will add a second track to the Ronkonkoma Branch between Ronkonkoma and Farmingdale, is slated for completion later this year. Work has begun on the LIRR Expansion Project, which will bring a third track to the Main Line between Floral Park and Hicksville, while crews continue to make progress on the East Side Access project. Eng will oversee the implementation of the Performance Improvement Plan, unveiled last month, which is aimed at improving service reliability, seasonal preparedness, and customer communications.
The railroad has issued a formal request for proposals to manufacturers for more than 800 new passenger railcars that will serve 14 long-distance routes nationwide.
The delivery marks the first car in a 374‑vehicle order and begins the arrival of a new generation of higher‑capacity, more reliable, and more comfortable trains for one of the country’s busiest commuter rail systems.
BART recorded 5,403,140 exits in March, making it the highest monthly ridership since the pandemic and surpassing the previous high set in October 2025 (5,346,890 exits).
The station was rebuilt as part of SEPTA’s Station Accessibility Program, making it fully ADA accessible with new elevators, ramps, and high-level platforms.
The announcement highlights the long-standing partnership between the Class I railroad and the commuter rail system, dating back to Metra's creation in 1983.
Crews completed a significant portion of the testing required before commissioning the new, digital signaling system, which will bring important upgrades that strengthen Red Line service reliability for riders and provide Red Line Operations the ability to route trains more quickly, turn trains around faster, and recover from unplanned disruptions more efficiently, said MBTA officials.
In addition to new projects, progress continues on a multiyear effort to upgrade track, electrical, and signal systems on the Metra Electric Line to accommodate the expansion of service on the South Shore Line.
