Crosbie turns down job as New Jersey Transit's executive director

Two weeks after accepting an appointment as New Jersey Transit's new executive director, William Crosbie has decided not to take the job, state officials said yesterday.

He was slated to start the new position Monday.

William Crosbie
Photo: New Jersey Transit

Crosbie, who previously served as Amtrak's chief operating officer, chose to withdraw due to "previously undisclosed concerns regarding relocating his family from Virginia," said New Jersey Department of Transportation spokesman Steve Schapiro in an email.

"The decision came as a surprise to us because of the level of mutual enthusiasm we both shared when he accepted the offer," NJ Transit Chairman Richard Hammer said in a statement. "I have informed NJ Transit's board members of this development and that the search process for a new executive director will continue."

Crosbie's decision to back out of the job comes as the agency faces a projected $45 million shortfall in its operating budget, the Associated Press reported.

In the meantime, Dennis Martin will continue serving as the agency's interim executive director. Martin has held the position since Veronique Hakim left in December 2015 to become president of MTA New York City Transit.