New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani is expected to name Mike Flynn, a seasoned transportation expert with extensive experience in city planning, as the new commissioner of the Department of Transportation. According to sources close to the decision-making process, Flynn's appointment is seen as crucial to Mamdani's ambitious plans to revamp the city's public transportation system.
Flynn, who has spent nearly a decade working within the department on sustainability initiatives and bicycle programs, is poised to lead an agency tasked with shaping New Yorkers' experience of public space and city streets. The Department of Transportation currently oversees bus lane infrastructure development and reducing traffic congestion, areas where Mamdani's free bus proposal for all New Yorkers promises significant improvements.
Flynn's departure from TYLin, a firm specializing in infrastructure projects, marks a shift from the private sector to public service after his appointment to Mamdani's transition committee earlier this year. This position highlighted Flynn's connections with the incoming administration before he now leads the department himself.
The current transportation commissioner, Ydanis Rodriguez, has faced criticism for the slow pace of bus lane additions under Mayor Eric Adams' tenure, with less than 30 miles added since January 2022 compared to the promised 150. The Adams administration was also marred by controversy over canceled or clawed-back major road infrastructure projects, including bike lanes in South Williamsburg and a dedicated busway on Fordham Road in the Bronx.
Mamdani's own transportation plan includes restarts of several protected bike lane projects that had been delayed or canceled under Adams' leadership. The appointment of Flynn is expected to bring much-needed stability and expertise to the agency, which will be crucial for delivering on Mamdani's bold promises for faster and more efficient public transportation in New York City.
Flynn, who has spent nearly a decade working within the department on sustainability initiatives and bicycle programs, is poised to lead an agency tasked with shaping New Yorkers' experience of public space and city streets. The Department of Transportation currently oversees bus lane infrastructure development and reducing traffic congestion, areas where Mamdani's free bus proposal for all New Yorkers promises significant improvements.
Flynn's departure from TYLin, a firm specializing in infrastructure projects, marks a shift from the private sector to public service after his appointment to Mamdani's transition committee earlier this year. This position highlighted Flynn's connections with the incoming administration before he now leads the department himself.
The current transportation commissioner, Ydanis Rodriguez, has faced criticism for the slow pace of bus lane additions under Mayor Eric Adams' tenure, with less than 30 miles added since January 2022 compared to the promised 150. The Adams administration was also marred by controversy over canceled or clawed-back major road infrastructure projects, including bike lanes in South Williamsburg and a dedicated busway on Fordham Road in the Bronx.
Mamdani's own transportation plan includes restarts of several protected bike lane projects that had been delayed or canceled under Adams' leadership. The appointment of Flynn is expected to bring much-needed stability and expertise to the agency, which will be crucial for delivering on Mamdani's bold promises for faster and more efficient public transportation in New York City.
I mean, I'm not saying he's not qualified or anything, but he worked with TYLin, a firm that specializes in infrastructure projects... isn't that kinda like, the opposite of what we need right now? 
We need someone who's all about public service and sustainability, not just some corporate guy coming in to shake things up. And don't even get me started on Ydanis Rodriguez - 30 miles of bus lanes added since 2022? Come on! 
That's like, so slow. Mamdani's plan is gonna be a total disaster if we're relying on Flynn's expertise... just saying.
gotta love how ambitious NY City is getting with its new mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani! Mike Flynn as the new commissioner of DOT seems like a solid pick to get that public transportation system moving (literally!). I'm all for revamping bus lanes and making it easier to navigate the streets. We've been stuck in traffic for far too long 
. The fact that Flynn's coming from the private sector with experience in sustainability initiatives is super promising 
. Let's hope he can bring some much-needed stability to an agency that's had its fair share of controversy under Eric Adams' leadership 
, I think this is gonna make a huge difference for NYC! With Mike Flynn at the helm of the Department of Transportation, you can bet that those free bus rides will become a reality soon 
. And good riddance to Ydanis Rodriguez, he's been stuck in neutral for too long 
mamdani's plans are ambitious, but with flynn on board, i have faith that they'll actually deliver 
lets hope for a smoother ride ahead! 
! I was talking to my friends from Brooklyn who were total commuters during Adams' tenure, and they're like "yaaas, finally someone's gonna fix our traffic problems!" 
They've been saying the bus lane situation is a joke for ages. With Flynn on board, I'm hoping we'll see some real progress soon 
. And let's be real, those protected bike lanes in South Williamsburg have been cancelled like three times already? Come on, NYC! Get it together 
. I know Mamdani wants to shake things up, but we need someone who can bring credibility back to the Department of Transportation 
and what about the bike lanes? are those gonna get restarted or is it just a PR move to calm everyone down? 
... I mean, can you imagine being able to take a bus anywhere in the city without worrying about traffic or getting stuck on the subway? It's like, a dream come true for parents who don't have cars and need to get their kids to school/sports/practice on time 
. And with Mike Flynn at the helm, I'm hoping he'll make sure that buses are reliable and frequent too, not just a pipe dream 
.
.
I mean, Adams' team was all about canceling progress and leaving cities as congested as ever... Mamdani needs people like Flynn who actually care about making NYC better for EVERYONE 
. Still don't know how they're gonna pay for all that free bus stuff though...
he brought in that sustainable initiatives program and helped bike programs thrive, so yeah def let him lead the dept of transportation lol people need to chill about Eric Adams' mistakes 
. Zohran Mamdani is on the right track with his free bus plan, and Flynn is gonna help make it happen 
️!
like that's gonna happen with all those costs?? 
mamdani's plan sounds amazing and flynn seems like the perfect guy to lead it. he has that private sector expertise but also gets what's going on in the city streets. i'm hoping we'll see some real progress on those bus lanes soon!