MTA names Ko NYCT's chief mechanical officer

The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) announced yesterday that Siu Ling Ko has been named vice president and chief mechanical officer of subway car equipment, the division of New York City Transit (NYCT) responsible for maintaining and overhauling the agency's fleet of subway cars and track-maintenance vehicles. 

A 34-year veteran of NYCT’s subway-car equipment division, Ko is the first woman to hold this position, MTA officials said in a press release.

In her new role, Ko will provide executive oversight for the maintenance, repair and overhaul of NYCT’s fleet of 7,092 cars and for the 24/7 operations of the 13 maintenance, two overhaul and locomotive shops. She will also oversee car equipment's scheduled maintenance system and maintenance material forecasts, all of which have contributed to improved reliability and mean distance between failures.

Starting her career at NYCT as an associate engineering technician, Ko has held multiple positions since. As the assistant chief mechanical officer, quality assurance and new car warranty, Ko provided direction on all maintenance, overhaul shop and new car procurement audits, all new car contract warranty programs and technology services that report key statistics on subway car performance, maintenance and repair.

"I am honored to accept this role,” said Ko. “Riders are returning to the subway system and our team is as prepared as ever to deliver world class subway service for millions of New Yorkers. I’ve spent more than 30 years with New York City Transit working to improve maintenance and reliability and I am excited to continue that work."