Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
News
Mixed Verdict on Kalikow's MTA Reign
By
Jen Chung
Published May 8, 2007
Modified Mar 7, 2008
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
By
Jen Chung
Published May 8, 2007
Modified Mar 7, 2008
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Now that MTA Chairman Peter Kalikow has announced his resignation, the newspapers are assessing his tenure. And the verdict is that Kalikow did usher the MTA into an era of high ridership and capital improvement and help ed set up many big projects (Second Avenue Subway, East Side Access). But he also oversaw the agency during the transit strike.
The Straphangers Campaign's Gene Russianoff tells the NY Times, "He ended up with probably what was the worst labor relations in the 25 years we’ve followed the system. It was, I think, purely Pataki politics that dictated what happened.” And in a nod to Kalikow's background as a rich real estate developer, the Tri-State Transportation Campaign's Jonathan Orcutt tells amNewYork, "The model of having a rich guy who doesn't need to be paid heading the MTA will probably go by the wayside."
Kalikow acknowledged it was a tough job, saying, “I could actually take my jacket off and show you the bruises to prove it.” The Post has an editorial that acknowledges some of Kalikow's problems, but ends it with, "If the next MTA chairman is as adroit at managing these complex projects as his predecessor was in starting them, New York will be fortunate indeed. As fortunate as the city has been to have had Peter Kalikow at the MTA for the last seven years."
And the NY Times' William Neuman reminded of us a "colorful" Kalikow moment. Here's how Newsday described it back in 2003:
"We could pee in our pants now... But we're going to face it again next year, guys," he said at the breakfast gathering sponsored by West Side Chamber of Commerce.
That was all a way of saying that that no matter what the courts decide, subway and bus base fares will have to stay at $2, or jump even higher next year.
...[I]n response to a question from a reporter in the audience about whether the agency might settle out of court with fare hike opponents, he related a story his grandfather once told him about his childhood.
"It was minus 10 degrees," Kalikow began. "He was bundled up and the snow was 40 feet high. Then all of a sudden he had to take a pee. What does he do? If he unbuttons his 50 layers of clothing, he'll freeze to death. He doesn't want to do it, so he says 'Lemme just go.' "
Guests at Tavern on the Green shifted in their chairs. Most had just finished eating a breakfast of waffles and bacon.
"Guess what? The urge now was gratified," continued Kalikow. "It felt warm and comfortable and soft. And he says 'This is pretty good.' Then ten minutes later it freezes."
The next MTA chairman will not wield as much power at Kalikow, and it was even a possibility that the job of MTA CEO and executive director Elliot Sander would also include the chairmanship, but Spitzer will select a part-time chairman. The Sun says that Spitzer may select Elizabeth Moore, currently a partner at Nixon Peabody LLP and was previously a counsel to Governor Cuomo.
Photograph of Kalikow by Jori Klein.
Tagged
As
Avenue Subway
bus
Chairman Peter Kalikow
court
death
east side
east side access
Elliot Sander
fare
fare hike
gene russianoff
governor
green
headlines
labor
MTA
MTA CEO
MTA chairman
MTA Chairman Peter Kalikow
new york
ny times
peter kalikow
Politics
real estate
Second Avenue
second avenue subway
snow
spitzer
State Transportation Campaign
straphangers campaign
strike
subway
the city
the post
The Straphangers
The Straphangers Campaign
transportation
west side
Jen Chung
Jen Chung is a former WNYC and Gothamist editor.
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE news
Man shot and killed on Midtown subway platform Saturday afternoon, NYPD says
Police said they're searching for a person of interest.
By
Ryan Kost
and
Elizabeth Kim
Published Oct 17, 2026 at 1:16 p.m. ET
Modified Oct 17, 2026 at 4:10 p.m. ET
Have you seen this Yorkie? NYPD looking for adorable pup dognapped from her Queens home
Suspects were driving a Subaru Forester, police said.
By
Ryan Kost
News
Have you seen this Yorkie? NYPD looking for adorable pup dognapped from her Queens home
Suspects were driving a Subaru Forester, police said.
By
Ryan Kost
Being reigning champions is weird for Knicks fans, but we could get used to this.
By
Catalina Gonella
Tompkins Square Park is getting a makeover. Some say it's too much.
By
Willow Higgins
Deer are all over New Jersey roads looking for sex, state officials warn
By
Rosemary Misdary
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .