On Tuesday, August 25, the NFTA welcomed the New York Public Transit Association’s Public Transit Leadership Institute (PTLI) Class of 2026 to Buffalo for the final session of its leadership development program. The day gave emerging transit leaders from across New York State an opportunity to engage with NFTA leadership, tour the agency’s operations, including DL&W, and experience Buffalo’s public transportation system firsthand.  

Vice President of Operations Brendan Mehaffy and Director of Public Transit Michael Pal shared their expertise and perspectives with the cohort, while Deputy Director of Public Transit Rachel Maloney organized and oversaw the guided tour of NFTA facilities and operations. NFTA Supervisor of Customer Relations Misael Hernandez, who is part of the 2026 PTLI class, is now nearing the conclusion of this leadership journey alongside his fellow cohort members, with graduation scheduled for October.