New York City's Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani is set to appoint Mike Flynn, a seasoned transportation expert with nearly a decade of experience in the city's Department of Transportation, as the next commissioner. Flynn's appointment comes after a tumultuous tenure under outgoing Mayor Eric Adams, who struggled to make progress on his promise to build 150 miles of new bus lanes within the city limits.
Under Adams' leadership, only 30 miles of new bus lanes have been added, despite the mayor's initial commitment to meet this goal. The lack of progress has been attributed to a series of controversies, including the cancellation and clawing back of major road infrastructure projects, such as bike lanes in South Williamsburg and a dedicated busway on Fordham Road in the Bronx.
Flynn, who has worked extensively on sustainability practices and bicycle programs within the transportation department, is seen as a step in the right direction for Mamdani's administration. The new commissioner will be tasked with not only expanding bus lane infrastructure but also reducing traffic congestion and shaping New Yorkers' experience of public space and city streets.
As part of his campaign, Mamdani promised to make buses free for all New Yorkers and increase their speed. While the state-run MTA controls operations on city buses, the city leads the charge on building bus lane infrastructure and reducing congestion. Flynn's appointment is seen as a key pick in fulfilling this promise and delivering on Mamdani's vision for a faster and more efficient public transportation system.
Flynn, who has been involved with several transportation projects, including those related to sustainability practices and bicycle programs, will take over from Ydanis Rodriguez, the current commissioner. Rodriguez, a political appointee of Mayor Adams, had no prior experience within the DOT or managing public work projects.
Under Adams' leadership, only 30 miles of new bus lanes have been added, despite the mayor's initial commitment to meet this goal. The lack of progress has been attributed to a series of controversies, including the cancellation and clawing back of major road infrastructure projects, such as bike lanes in South Williamsburg and a dedicated busway on Fordham Road in the Bronx.
Flynn, who has worked extensively on sustainability practices and bicycle programs within the transportation department, is seen as a step in the right direction for Mamdani's administration. The new commissioner will be tasked with not only expanding bus lane infrastructure but also reducing traffic congestion and shaping New Yorkers' experience of public space and city streets.
As part of his campaign, Mamdani promised to make buses free for all New Yorkers and increase their speed. While the state-run MTA controls operations on city buses, the city leads the charge on building bus lane infrastructure and reducing congestion. Flynn's appointment is seen as a key pick in fulfilling this promise and delivering on Mamdani's vision for a faster and more efficient public transportation system.
Flynn, who has been involved with several transportation projects, including those related to sustainability practices and bicycle programs, will take over from Ydanis Rodriguez, the current commissioner. Rodriguez, a political appointee of Mayor Adams, had no prior experience within the DOT or managing public work projects.
I mean, after all those years of struggling to meet Eric Adams' goal of building 150 miles of new bus lanes, it's nice to see someone come in with actual expertise and experience on board. Mike Flynn's background in sustainability and bike programs is super valuable, especially given the state of traffic congestion in this city.
It'll definitely make public transportation more accessible to everyone. And let's be real, who doesn't love zipping around the city on the bus? Plus, with Flynn at the helm, it seems like there's actually some momentum behind this promise.
If that's the case, I think it could be a game-changer for this city!
. I mean, who tries to cancel and claw back bike lanes in South Williamsburg? It's like they think cyclists are invisible 
. And now we're stuck with a bunch of outdated bus lane plans that just aren't working. 30 miles out of 150? Not exactly the most inspiring track record 
. I guess Mike Flynn is hoping to change that, but it's going to take more than just some sweet talk about sustainability and bike programs to get this city moving in the right direction 
.
for Mamdani's administration... but at the same time, I'm pretty sure it's gonna be super hard to meet all those promises he made, like makin' buses free for everyone 
. I mean, how's that even gonna work? The MTA's got its own thing goin' on... and traffic congestion in this city is a whole 'nother beast 
. Flynn seems like a solid pick, but I'm also worried he might get stuck between a rock and a hard place 
... like, how's he supposed to balance all these different priorities? And what about Ydanis Rodriguez? Shouldn't they've been more prepared for this role, given the experience? 
, 150 miles of new bus lanes is ambitious but necessary for nyc's growing population... also, gotta wonder about the sustainability practices, we need more eco-friendly options in the city 
Mike Flynn coming in is like a breath of fresh air for NYC's transportation system 
He's got some serious chops under his belt, especially when it comes to sustainable practices and bike programs 
What I hope he does is actually follow through on that promise of making buses free for all New Yorkers 
. How come Mike Flynn's appointment as transportation commissioner is seen as a step in the right direction? What makes him so special? He just worked on sustainability and bike programs... yeah okay, but didn't Ydanis Rodriguez do that too? 
I'm not sure about this appointment... like, Mike Flynn's got some good credentials and all, but come on, 30 miles of new bus lanes in 4 years? That's just a drop in the bucket 
. I'm hoping Mamdani's administration can actually deliver on his promise to make buses free for all New Yorkers 
, but Flynn's gonna have some 'splainin' to do 
.
. But what if his appointment just delays the inevitable and we're still stuck with outdated infrastructure after 2025? 
. Can't wait to see what Flynn brings to the table! 
Mike Flynn's appointment is like a breath of fresh air after that toxic era under Eric Adams 
. I mean who wouldn't want to get rid of all those canceled bus lanes and bike projects? 
It was literally like he didn't even know what public transportation meant 
.