WASHINGTON ROUND-UP

• At USDOT, 683 probationary employees have returned to work following a judge’s order; 92 have instead resigned.

• National Transportation Safety Board chair Jennifer Homendy, appearing this week before the House Appropriations Committee, asserted that there will be no reduction in force at the independent agency.

• Federal Transit Administration nominee Marc Molinaro appeared before the Senate Banking Committee this week, the first step in the process to confirm him as agency administrator.

MBTA LAUNCHES
SOUTH COAST RAIL

Photo credit: MassTransit magazine.

After an absence of 65 years, MBTA has restored commuter rail service between Boston and two southeastern Massachusetts towns, Fall River and New Bedford.

At the opening ceremony on March 24th, Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey said “Our administration isn’t kicking the can down the road when it comes to delivering the transportation system that our residents deserve. That’s exactly how we approached the South Coast Rail project. After years of delays, we took this challenge head on and delivered for the people of the South Coast…[this] will give people more options for how to get around, where to live and where to work.”

Community members in these newly connected towns seem to agree. “Today, as a fourth-generation Greater New Bedford resident, I had the privilege of riding the train that many once dismissed as a pipe dream—a testament to the decades-long political determination that made it a reality. For Gateway Cities like New Bedford, Fall River, and Taunton, the arrival of the train proves that bold ambitions can be realized. The key is persistence and a shared vision”, said one rider.

L-R: MBTA’s Mike Muller, Mike Rooks, Phil Eng, & Ryan Coholan.
Photo credit: Mike Rook via LinkedIn.

Experts forecast the rail extension will reduce road congestion and fuel economic progress regionally. Officials will keep refining schedules and infrastructure to meet rising demand in southeastern Massachusetts. The completion of this project stands as a major win for public transportation in the Bay State. Riders and leaders alike applaud it, dubbing it a game-changer for connectivity.

Icomera US President Gabriel Lopez-Bernal has been recognized by Railway Age’s 25 Under 40. Notes Icomera: “Gabriel’s deep understanding of communications technology and network security has been pivotal in expanding Icomera’s impact across North America.”

Lopez-Bernal is also a member of the CRC Board of Directors.

RWA TO RECOGNIZE “MOST INFLUENTIAL” INDUSTRY LEADERS

(Railway Age) The North American railway industry in large part is driven by influential leaders, people whose mantra is making a difference, and who are committed to service. Railway Age is asking readers to nominate an individual they believe is the single-most influential active (non-retired) man or woman in the industry. A nominee can be from a Class I, II or III freight carrier; a switching and terminal railroad; a regional/commuter, intercity, rapid transit or light rail passenger railway; a supplier, contractor or consultant; a trade association; or a government agency with jurisdiction over the industry (i.e., FRA, STB, FTA). Nominees must be part of the North American (U.S., Canada or Mexico) rail industry. Self-nominations will not be considered. The top ten will be featured in Railway Age’s May 2025 issue.

Only two commuter rail leaders have been recognized in the five years of this award: CRC CEO KellyAnne Gallagher (2020) and Metra CEO and founding CRC Chairman Jim Derwinski (2021).

The deadline for nominations is April 9, 2025.

WHAT WE’RE READING

• States Push to Shift Road Funds to Transit and Bike Projects as Trump Threatens Cuts (AP News)

• Chicago Regional Transit Authority Warns of Drastic Cuts in Service (RT&S)

• Sunday Video: Portland’s ‘Weird’ Westside Express Commuter Rail Line (The Urbanist)

• Official Suggests Combining Dallas-Fort Worth Area Commuter Rail Operations (Trains.com)

• MN: With Northstar Commuter Rail Likely to Reach its End, Cities on the Train Line Want Concessions (Mass Transit Magazine)

• Column: Mass Transit Going Off the Rails and Over the Cliff (Chicago Tribune)

• Virginia Tightens Surplus Lines Insurance Broker Rules, Offers Relief for Public Transit Insurers (Insurance Business Magazine)

• A Train Station is at the Heart of this NYC Suburb’s Downtown Revitalization (Smart Cities Dive)

• Opinion: Make America Build Again (Washington Times)

• Sound Transit names Dow Constantine CEO (Progressive Railroading)