MTA head resigns, NYC mayoral run may be next

Joseph J. Lhota, chairman of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA), announced he is resigning from his post. He informed Gov. Andrew Cuomo”™s administration of his plans to step down this week.

Previously, Lhota served as deputy mayor under Rudolph Giuliani. He was recently praised for his effort to restore subway service a week after Hurricane Sandy made landfall.

It”™s believed Lhota wants to pursue the office of Mayor of New York City as a Republican. Lhota reportedly explored the option of running for mayor during a meeting with Mayor Michael Bloomberg earlier this month.

The chairman is scheduled to make a public appearance today as the MTA is set to approve a fare increase raising the cost of a subway ride to $2.50.

A successor has yet to officially be named, but in the past, Lhota had authorized Thomas F. Prendergast, president of New York City Transit, to act as chairman in his absence.