‘Frustrated’ NYC Transit chief Richard Davey reportedly fleeing job for Massachusetts post

Return ticket, please!

New York City Transit President Richard Davey is reportedly fleeing the Big Apple after barely lasting two years in the top job, which sources told The Post left him “frustrated.”

Davey, the former Massachusetts secretary of transportation from 2011 to 2014, is headed back to the Bay State to take over MassPort, which runs Massachusetts’ airports and ports, according to the former statehouse bureau chief for the Boston Globe, Frank Phillips on X .

Sources with knowledge of the situation have also now confirmed the planned move , Gothamist reported Tuesday.

“My trade union counterparts in Boston confirmed to me that Davey is just waiting on an approval vote from the Massport board,” said Transport Workers Union International President John Samuelsen, who represents NYC Transit’s workforce and holds a seat on the governing MTA board, to the outlet.

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A Post source said Davey has complained about being “frustrated” in his current position, which has included helping to oversee the city’s controversial congestion-pricing plan and trying to combat a spike in violent subway crime.

Davey, asked about the situation at an unrelated news conference Tuesday, only told reporters, “I do get calls from time to time because I got a great team that makes me look good.”

His expected departure is the latest shift in the prominent post that has had four leaders in just over four years and comes as the MTA prepares to launch its anti-congestion plan , which will charge drivers an extra $15 fee for entering Midtown Manhattan.

Davey became the MTA’s new permanent head of subways and buses in May 2022 after predecessor Andy Byford — dubbed “Train Daddy” — left the role, saying it was made “intolerable” by then-Gov. Andrew Cuomo.

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As Davey stepped into the position, he told New York City media during his first appearance that he was hopeful to “break some records” by staying in the position “at least two years.”

Between Davey and Byford, Sarah Feinberg held the role as the pandemic ravaged the city’s transit system and left more than 100 transit workers dead.

As she left the position she said, “It’s important for me to get back some other pieces of my life.”

The Massport position that Davey is expected to take has been occupied by Ed Freni since former CEO Lisa Wieland stepped down in November for a high-ranking position at energy giant National Grid.

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Wieland departed after a 17-year tenure at the agency — five of which were in the position that raked in $417,609, according to state records.

Massport spokesman Benjamin Crawley told the Post on Monday that “the work of the preliminary screening committee is ongoing.”

“They have not yet deliberated or determined finalists,” he added. “It is anticipated the committee will make a recommendation of finalists to the full Massport Board sometime this spring.”

Davey became the MTA’s new permanent head of subways and buses in May 2022 after predecessor Andy Byford — dubbed “Train Daddy” — left the role, saying it was made “intolerable” by then-Gov. Andrew Cuomo.

As Davey stepped into the position, he told New York City media during his first appearance that he was hopeful to “break some records” by staying in the position “at least two years.”

Nearly 4 million commuters ride the subway, still down from the 5.5 million before the pandemic.

Davey has also had to contest with a spike in subway crimes as assaults hit a 27-year high in 2023 with at least four murders recorded so far this year.

The MTA said it has “no comment” at this time. The Post also contacted Davey for comment but did not hear back.

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