On Thursday, New York Gov. David A. Paterson accepted the resignation of Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) Executive Director/CEO Elliot G. Sander.

The following statement was issued by Sander: "It has been a great honor to lead the 70,000 hard-working men and women who run the world's greatest public transportation system. I am tremendously proud of our accomplishments making the MTA a leaner, more efficient and effective organization. Each of the MTA's agencies is performing at peak levels, the relationship with our employees is dramatically improved and we communicate more frequently with our customers. The integration of the MTA's three bus companies, the merging of back office functions across 7 agencies and the introduction of line general managers on the subway system will save the MTA millions and improve the agency's performance. New innovations like rider report cards, text message alerts and Select Bus Service have improved the customer experience. There is more work to be done, but I leave confident knowing the MTA is headed in the right direction. I am grateful to Governor Paterson and Governor Spitzer for this wonderful opportunity. I wish Governor Paterson the best of luck in choosing a successor who will build on the progress the MTA has made over the past two and a half years."

Sander offered his resignation to the Governor earlier this year in anticipation of Thursday’s passage of legislation that joins the chairman and CEO positions at the MTA. Mr. Sander's resignation is effective May 22, 2009, ending a tenure that began January 1, 2007.

Sander began his career as a budget analyst in the city’s Office of Management and Budget. Prior to being named head of the MTA, he was senior vice president at DMJM Harris and director of the Rudin Center for Transportation Policy and Management at the Robert F. Wagner Graduate School for Public Service at New York University.