New York City elected officials and residents are taking to Twitter to express their disappointment after Andy Byford announced his departure from the MTA.
After news broke that the “train daddy” would be stepping down as MTA New York City Transit President, Twitter feeds across the city exploded with expressions of sadness over the situation — and speculation about why Byford resigned and where he would go next.
Many, including Manhattan Borough President Gale Brewer and City Councilwoman Debi Rose, thanked Byford for the work that he’s put in during his two years on the job.
This is a gut punch for thousands of employees at @MTA and for millions of New Yorkers.
Andy Byford is a brilliant public servant. Our loss of his talent cannot be understated. https://t.co/ewa7gn7fw5
— Gale A. Brewer (@galeabrewer) January 23, 2020
Andy Byford is a mobility visionary. When state leaders were chugging along, Andy took the express track to propose plans to transform our outdated public transit into a world-class system. He answered our calls to #FixTheMTA. This is unfortunate.https://t.co/8goftqr89D
— Jessica Ramos (@jessicaramos) January 23, 2020
This is a terrible day for riders! Andy Byford has made a tremendous difference in the lives of millions of people with @NYCTSubway OTP improvements, his commitment to accessibility and belief – that led to reality – that the subways and buses could be saved. We wish him well!
— PCAC (@PCACriders) January 23, 2020
Say it ain’t So @andybyford #PleaseDon’tGo ‼️ https://t.co/ZuU5Dx6aMO
— Debi Rose (@CMDebiRose) January 23, 2020
@NYCTBus @NYCTSubway Andy Byford cannot leave. He has done a lot to improve the system and he’s our only hope. Don’t let him go! #Byfordcomeback
— Gerald79 (@Gerald79r) January 23, 2020
Not going to lie. I’m upset Andy Byford has resigned. The #MTA was getting better with him at the helm. https://t.co/dXkZegINPU
— Tanya Mercado (@TanyaMercado_) January 23, 2020
Andy Byford resigns for good. Name another public official who got this much done in two years. https://t.co/KpW67cBF84 pic.twitter.com/FSpvDheyve
— Gerrit De Vynck (@GerritD) January 23, 2020
My greatest thanks to Andy Byford, more for the vision he brought to transit than for his many great accomplishments.
— IRV (@gshealth) January 23, 2020
Some Twitter users are speculating that Governor Andrew Cuomo had something to do with Byford’s departure. As noted in numerous reports, the two didn’t always see eye to eye.
I would *love* to know what Andy Byford says about Gov. Cuomo in private. But gossip-mongering aside, this is terrible news for New York City.
— Sarah Laskow (@slaskow) January 23, 2020
#AndyByfordDontGO OMG @MTA are you kidding me?? @NYGovCuomo get on your knees and apologize to @andybyford for whatever transgression you committed! @AndyByford this city needs you! #PleaseStayAndyByford
— Linda Secondari (@secondari) January 23, 2020
@NYGovCuomo
Thanks for being such a schmuck to Andy Byford.
Back to the darker days.— Josiah (@josiahgluck) January 23, 2020
@NYGovCuomo I have always Supported you but letting Andy Byford leave is a mistake! He is the best thing that has happened to NYC mass transit in decades. Get him back.
— Barbara A Breen (@barbara_breen) January 23, 2020
Others wondered what could be next for Byford after he has vacated his position.
Andy Byford can run for mayor now.
— Juan Manuel Benítez (@JuanMaBenitez) January 23, 2020
