On January 18, the Biden administration announced that Pelham Memorial High School alumna Polly Trottenberg will serve as the next United States Deputy Secretary of Transportation. This was confirmed on February 13, when her nomination was formally submitted to the Senate. Trottenberg had previously served as Assistant Secretary for Transportation Policy under President Obama. She also served a number of U.S. senators, including Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-NY) and former U.S. Senators Barbara Boxer (D-CA) and Daniel Patrick Moynihan (D-NY).  She will serve under Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, who was a 2020 Democratic presidential candidate.

Trottenberg served as commissioner of the New York City Department of Transportation from 2014 to 2020. She was the city’s longest running commissioner. During this time, Trottenberg accomplished a great deal for the city including overseeing Mayor Bill de Blasio’s Vision Zero program to reduce traffic fatalities, expanded the city’s bike and bus lanes, and oversaw the city’s Open Streets program. The Biden administration also acknowledged her response to COVID-19 for NYC by transforming city streets to promote sustainable transportation and economic recovery.

Amtrak Board Chairman Tony Coscia announced his support  Trottenberg’s nomination.

“With decades of transportation experience, Ms. Trottenberg understands the importance of investing in transportation to expand mobility, reduce carbon emissions and support economic recovery,” Coscia said. “As we enter our 50th year of service, we look forward to working with President-elect Joe Biden, Transportation Secretary designee Pete Buttigieg, and Deputy Secretary Polly Trottenberg to launch a new era of passenger rail expansion and improvement across the nation, connecting more people by train.”