NEW YORK CITY-Thomas Prendergast, who hasserved as interim executive director of the MetropolitanTransportation Authority since JosephLhota resigned to pursue a mayoral run, now has theleadership job at the agency on a more formal basis. The New YorkState Senate has confirmed Prendergast as the MTA's chairman andCEO, the governor's office said Thursday afternoon.

Prendergast brings a literal track record to the top job at theMTA. He served for more than three years starting in late 2009 aspresident of MTA New York City Transit, which runs the subway andbus system in New York City, and for six years between 1994 and2000 as president of the Long Island RailRoad.

In a statement, Gov. Andrew Cuomo notes thatwhile serving as interim head of the transit agency, Prendergastwas “vital to the recovery of the MTA after Superstorm Sandy and hewill continue to play a crucial role in making the MTA more modern,efficient and storm ready.” For his part, Prendergast cites the“enormous challenges” the MTA faces in terms of continuing toimprove service “while cutting costs and rebuilding stronger”post-Sandy.