For Cuomo, MTA chief a new role to fill

When Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo moves, in the next 90 days, to replace Jay Walder as mass-transit chief, the first-year governor -- whether he likes it or not -- will be putting his own stamp on a system that's still struggling.

"His departure is a loss for the MTA and the state," Cuomo said in a statement after Walder, an appointee of ex-Gov. David A. Paterson, announced he's leaving to become chief executive of the MTR corporation in Hong Kong. "Walder showed true leadership."

"We didn't ask him to leave," added an administration official.

For decades, the degree to which the governor calls the shots at the nominally independent Metropolitan Transportation Authority has been a subject of discussion, posturing and debate.

Said one transit-system insider: "So far the governor had lots of other stuff on his plate and done well with it, but has not paid much attention to the MTA. We are going to find out: Does he want to claim ownership -- or keep it at arm's length?"

Either way, the MTA's financial fate is coupled to the state's, affecting operations from the East River Bridges to the Long Island Rail Road and New York City subways. Walder's announcement that he will leave Oct. 21 -- two years after he took the top job -- comes within 24 hours of a report the MTA would slash $2 billion from its five-year capital plan.

"The state government is the operator of this system," said Assembly Corporations and Authorities Committee chairman James Brennan (D-Brooklyn), moments after hearing the announcement. "Mass transit has to be able to function, and not all the problems of the mass transit system are the fault of the MTA. State government has to take equal responsibility. It is the funding source."

Walder's announcement prompted a wave of public advice for Cuomo from various quarters.

"The governor ought to take the time to find someone who's going to continue on the path we've been going down," said Allen Cappelli, a New York City attorney appointed to the MTA board in 2008. Walder was hailed for carrying out efficiency moves and technology improvements. Cappelli said he was skeptical about Walder in the beginning and the two were "not always on the same page, but I came to respect his ability. He's very disciplined and managed the politics of having to deal with a governor, a mayor and a very large board."

Kate Slevin, executive director of the Tri-state Transportation Campaign, said the departure "comes at an inopportune time" -- and that Cuomo "must quickly fill this vacancy with an effective leader who has a deep understanding of the transit system."

And Assemb. Dean Murray (R-East Patchogue) declared: "We need someone who will conduct the top-to-bottom forensic audit needed to identify and purge waste and fraud that has plagued the MTA, and will find the necessary savings so that the job-killing MTA payroll tax can be repealed."

By all accounts, Walder visited Hong Kong with his family about six weeks ago -- and held a conference call with agency heads Thursday, minutes before word became public.