Metro-North President Will Retire Soon: Officials

Howard Permut, Metro-North Railroad's president since 2008, is expected to retire at the end of the month, according to people familiar with the matter. 

He will be replaced by Joseph Giulietti, the executive director of the South Florida Regional Transportation Authority, The Wall Street Journal reported Monday night. Giulietti has headed the Miami-area rail system since 2000.

Permut's Jan. 31 exit follows a tough year for Metro-North.

Two months ago, a Metro-North train derailed in the Bronx, killing four passengers and injuring dozens. It was the first accident in Metro-North's history to kill passengers.

In May, two trains collided in Bridgeport, Conn., injuring many passengers -- some critically. Weeks later, a track worker was killed by a Metro-North train in West Haven, Conn. In July, a freight train derailed on Metro-North's tracks in the Bronx.