Lawrence G. Reuter, president of MTA New York City Transit since 1996, will resign from his position in early February. During Reuter’s tenure, NYC Transit’s annual subway ridership increased by 31% between 1996 and 2005 and its annual bus ridership increased by 53%. The agency also increased its fleets efficiency and dependability through the addition of new technologies and improved its fare collection system. “Leading the men and women of New York City Transit has been the high point of my career and I am extremely proud of the gains we have made together,” said Reuter. “The opportunity to join a large engineering firm and be closer to my grandchildren was too appealing to turn down. I look forward to the challenges of my new position and the proximity of my family when I relocate to Florida.”