On Thursday, New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority's (MTA) Chairman/CEO Jay H. Walder announced the appointment of Thomas F. Prendergast as President of New York City Transit (NYCT).

Prendergast joins NYCT from Vancouver, where he is the CEO of the South Coast British Columbia Transportation Authority, known as TransLink. A world-renowned transit expert, Prendergast has previously served as president of MTA Long Island Rail Road and sr. vice president, subways, at NYCT. Prendergast will assume his new role on December 1. He replaces Howard H. Roberts, who resigned Wednesday.

Prendergast brings more than 30 years of transportation experience to NYCT. He began his career at the Chicago Transit Authority and worked at the Federal Transit Administration before joining NYCT in 1982.

Prendergast then joined TransLink in July 2008 after working in the private sector for eight years. During his time in the private sector, Prendergast worked in the engineering and construction management consultation sector and was directly involved in the delivery of transportation infrastructure and construction projects.

"It is a tremendous honor to return home to lead the outstanding men and women who run one of the world's great transit systems," said Prendergast. "I look forward to working with Jay Walder to implement the customer service improvements that New Yorkers deserve. Running New York City Transit is one of the great challenges and honors in the profession, and I will bring all of my energy and passion to the job."