Antonio Sieunarine is an Analyst working at the Department of Subways Rail Control Center. His current work focuses on capital projects that interfaces with the Rail Control Center including NYCT signal modernization efforts. Before arriving at the MTA, Antonio worked for the Newark Downtown District BID as an Urban Planner. Antonio also worked in the aviation industry as an aerial survey pilot and mission specialist conducting LiDAR mapping across the continental United States. Antonio holds an MUP from CUNY Hunter College and a B.S. in Commercial Aviation from the University of North Dakota. When not at work, he enjoys hiking and running. You can also find him staring at the sky anytime an airplane flies overhead.
1.What is your favorite YPT-NYC event and why?
My favorite YPT-NYC event is the Summer Tour Series. I love them for two reasons; being able to host YPT-NYC Tours at the Rail Control Center pre-pandemic and being a participant in tours of other facilities. I am keeping my fingers crossed and looking forward to hosting YPT-NYC tours at the RCC again once it is safe to do so.
2. If you could snap your fingers and make one change to regional transportation, what would it be?
Wearing my transportation planner hat I would like to see true integration across the various agencies providing rail service across the Tri-State Region.
3. How did your role at the MTA change during the pandemic?
The pandemic was a challenging time at the MTA where many of my colleagues made the ultimate sacrifice and their names should never be forgotten. I along with members of my team were part of the effort to stand up a contact tracing effort within Service Delivery for our Train Operators, Conductors, Dispatchers, and other Service Delivery personnel. In addition to performing the duties of contact tracing, these calls to colleagues were also about being a caring and empathetic voice on the other end. Many of my colleagues were quarantined and alone, very sick, and appreciated having someone to talk to during such a difficult moment. The peak of the pandemic saw late nights and weekends where contact tracing calls were made. We knew we had the moral duty to do everything we could to protect and keep our fellow colleagues safe. https://new.mta.info/covid-memorial
4. What sparked your passion to work in the transportation industry?
This world is an amazing place and the transportation industry facilitates my wandering nature. Whether it is a short trip locally or a different continent, the ability to experience unique things on a local, regional, and global level is one of the amazing things that the transportation industry enables.
5. What are you working on that you’re most excited by?
We are currently expanding the usable footprint of the Rail Control Center as we work towards centralization of control and signal modernization efforts across the B-Division (Lettered Lines). We will have one of the largest video wall by area once this project is completed. The video wall will allow us to manage service and assist in the incident handling process. I look forward to giving fellow YPT’ers a future tour of this space.
6. What career advice would you give to other YPT’ers interested in your career path?
I would advise a fellow YPT’er to remain curious and let that drive your career path. I have focused on the things I am passionate about and it has led to forward progress and career success.
7. What famous celebrity do you think should be given the opportunity to voice a NYCT Subway Announcement?
If Don LaFontaine was still with us, I would be delighted to hear his voice making an announcement in the NYCT Subway System.
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