Mamdani eyeing DOT veterans, including 'Vision Zero' czar, for Transportation commissioner

Two New York transit experts — one of whom oversaw the launch of the city’s “ Vision Zero ” street safety initiative — have emerged as early favorites to become mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani’s Department of Transportation commissioner, according to four sources with knowledge of the matter.

The DOT could be an especially important agency for Mamdani, whose campaign promises included a vow to make the city’s public buses “fast and free.” Among other responsibilities, the agency is in charge of turning car routes into bus corridors to speed up bus traffic. Mamdani has pledged to make such conversions a big priority for DOT.

Ryan Russo and Nivardo Lopez, two veterans of the department with deep experience in street redesign efforts, are being eyed by Mamdani’s team as potential picks for D