IT’S TIME FOR NEW YEAR PREDICTIONS

Politico has rounded up a list of DOT regulations and initiatives that are likely to get fresh attention in the new administration.

Included is the two-person crew rule making, and “FRA’s proposed rule that seeks to ensure that requests for relief from certain kinds of regulations meet the agency’s safety standards. It seeks to do that in part by defining what constitutes ‘in the public interest’ and ‘consistent with railroad safety’ That NPRM, announced in October, was done after FRA found petitions for waivers often do not address how they would affect rail workers and communities along the railroad’s right of way.”

And Acting FHWA Administrator Kristin White predicted this week that DOT’s Disadvantaged Business Enterprise Program could be one of the federal diversity initiatives that the Trump administration targets.

For more predictions on how the new administration and Congress might impact commuter rail, join CRC at 2:00 pm ET on Wednesday, December 11, for insights from four Washington insiders. RSVP now to receive the webinar link.

AMTRAK REPORTS RECORD-BREAKING YEAR

Amtrak boasted Tuesday of a new ridership record in fiscal 2024 with 32.8 million customer trips, a 15 percent increase over the previous fiscal year. As context, US commuter railroads moved nearly 10 times as many passengers in the same timeframe.

FRA’S MITCHELL TAKES POSITION WITH AMTRAK

WASHINGTON – Amtrak has appointed Jennifer Mitchell as Executive Vice President of Strategy and Planning, where she will be responsible for setting the long-term strategic vision for Amtrak and managing the Planning, Infrastructure Access, State Partner, Network Development, and Host Railroad functions. 

“Jennifer has tremendous experience in the railroad industry and private sector that will be instrumental as we continue to grow and expand intercity passenger rail during this time of unprecedented demand. She’s the right person to lead our planning and strategy as we work to double our ridership by attracting more riders, serving new communities, and transforming passenger rail.”   ~ Amtrak President Roger Harris

Ms. Mitchell has over 25 years of experience working in the transportation industry in both the public and private sectors. Prior to joining Amtrak, she served as the Deputy Administrator at the FRA, where she provided executive leadership and direction on agency operations and policy matters, including the agency’s safety and rail development activities. Mitchell also served for eight years as Director of the Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation (DPRT) where she led several strategic initiatives. These include landmark agreements between CSX, Norfolk Southern Railway and Amtrak to significantly expand passenger rail service in the State over the next ten years, as well as advancing construction of the new Long Bridge across the Potomac River.

Mitchell started her role at Amtrak on Dec. 2, succeeding Dennis Newman, who is retiring.

NYMTA’S GRAND CENTRAL MADISON IS UNESCO AWARD WINNER

The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) announced that Grand Central Madison, the Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) terminal, was awarded UNESCO’s 2024 Prix Versailles Interior Award for the World’s Most Beautiful Passenger Station category. The Long Island Rail Road is now carrying over 260,000 average weekday riders following a 40 percent increase in service enabled by the addition of a second Manhattan terminal, Grand Central Madison, “which has quickly become a pillar of New York’s transit landscape,” said Long Island Rail Road President Rob Free.

STADLER US BECOMES SEPARATE ENTITY

The Stadler Board of Directors has decided to separate their U.S. location from the Swiss division as of Jan. 1, 2025, creating its own North America division. The new division will be headed by the current CEO Martin Ritter, who will become a member of the group management board.

More than 500 people currently work for the company in the U.S. The expanded premises will enable Stadler to manage its growth and in the future, manufacture car bodies in the U.S.

“Stadler has enjoyed significant growth over recent years. We are now strengthening the location to underscore the importance of this market. Martin Ritter is an experienced leader with a proven track record and he will head the new North America division. I wish him and the whole team every success.” ~ Stadler Board of Directors Chair
Peter Spuhler

In March Ritter and his team will host CRC members for a reception and tour at the company’s Salt Lake City facility.

WHAT WE’RE READING

• Leslie Richards Led SEPTA for 5 Years as General Manager. Here's what she thinks she got right (Transit Talent)

• Why It’s So Frickin’ Hard to Stop Driving (Slate)

• South Shore President not Ruling out May Opening of West Lake Corridor (Inside Indiana Business)

• TEXRail Expands Fleet With New Stadler Trainsets (Railway Supply)

• Regional Rail Systems in North America (City Nerd)