• In a Federal Register notice, the Surface Transportation Board has announced it is proposing to change the environmental review process. According to the notice, the STB proposes to “clarify, update, and streamline its existing environmental regulations implementing the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and to add delegations of authority related to environmental review. The Board is taking this action to conform its regulations to current practices and changes in the law and to support government-wide consistency in the NEPA process to the extent practicable and in accordance with Board authorities.” Comments are due by April 24.

• The NTSB has issued a safety alert following observations of electrical arcing, fire hazards, and smoke incidents from critical failures of electric propulsion p​ower systems that have endangered passengers and employees.

• The FTA is hosting a webinar March 31 on its All Stations Accessibility Program (ASAP). The funding opportunity supports transit agencies retrofitting legacy rail systems to improve accessibility for people with disabilities, including those who use wheelchairs. Through ASAP, FTA will help increase the number of stations or facilities for passenger use that meet or exceed the construction standards of Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act 1990. Attend the webinar at 2 p.m. eastern on Tuesday, March 31, to learn about the Fiscal Year 2026 ASAP funding opportunity. Applications close on May 1, 2026.

• The Federal Transit Administration’s longtime executive director Matt Welbes is retiring this month. Since being elevated in 2008 as the agency’s chief career executive, Welbes has earned a reputation for integrity, unwavering professionalism, and non-partisanship. In his 18 years as executive director, he often also served as acting FTA administrator during gaps in political leadership. Welbes has played a role in nearly every federally funded transit project across the United States in the last two decades.

• House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee chair Rep. Sam Graves (R-MO) has announced his intention to retire from Congress, declining to stand for re-election during the 2026 mid-term elections. Chairman Graves has been a leader of great consequence on T&I, and his commitment to working toward bipartisan transportation solutions will be missed.

HOLMES RETIRES FROM CRC BOARD, CHOE APPOINTED TO SEAT

Holmes served as general counsel to two public transit organizations, a lawyer/consultant in private practice, and an expert adviser to federal regulatory agencies in Washington D.C. She was the architect and chief negotiator of complex business transactions including the acquisition of 175 miles of railroad corridor from Union Pacific Railroad in the State of Utah to support rail transit operations; served as the executive in charge of government affairs responsible for developing legislative strategy to support public transportation client objectives; managed complex litigation including successfully settling a qui tam (False Claims Act) proceeding brought by the United States Department of Justice and others alleging violation of government contracting requirements; and worked closely with federal regulators and a governing board of directors to perform a systematic review of policies and procedures to ensure compliance with all applicable state and federal laws, rules, regulations, and industry and internal standards.

Holmes had served on the CRC board since June 2023, bringing unique insight to the governance of the association and creative approaches to issues facing the industry.

CRC members wishing to participate in the nominations process in advance of the June 30 election are invited to join Brian Dagsland (Stacy Witbeck) and Elizabeth Olson (Rio Metro/Rail Runner Express) on the CRC Nominations Committee.  Reach out here for more information.

Recently, New Jersey officials, including Gov. Mikie Sherrill, joined leaders from NJ Transit and Amtrak to mark the first ceremonial train crossing over the new Portal North Bridge in Kearny. The new bridge began carrying passenger service on one track on March 16, with a second track expected to open in the fall. It replaces the 116-year-old Portal Bridge, a swing bridge long known for delays along the busy Northeast Corridor.

“With the first train now crossing the new Portal North Bridge, we are delivering a modern, reliable piece of infrastructure that will strengthen our economy, improve the daily commute, and support the entire Northeast Corridor.” - Governor Sherrill

The Portal North Bridge is a two-track, fixed-span structure rising 50 feet above the Hackensack River, allowing marine traffic to pass underneath without disrupting rail service. Officials say it will significantly improve reliability and reduce delays for the more than 200,000 daily riders on this route. The project is part of the broader Gateway Program, aimed at modernizing infrastructure and increasing capacity between Newark and New York. It’s funded by federal, state, and Amtrak partners and includes a $766.5 million federal grant and a $1.56 billion construction contract.

The old Portal Bridge is expected to be dismantled in 2027.

MSU CENTER FOR RAILWAY RESEARCH & EDUCATION

Michigan State University’s Center for Railway Research and Education offers a four-week Railway Management Certificate Program. Content is applicable to the whole rail industry: freight & passenger railroads, transit authorities, industry & regulatory agencies, suppliers, and shippers.

The program builds on the groundwork established by Nicholas (Nick) Little, former Director of Railway Education.

• Module 1: Railway Business Administration, Strategy & Leadership |
  Apr. 27 - May 1 @ MSU Campus, East Lansing, MI

• Module 2: Railway Regulation, Safety & the Rail Industry |
  Jun. 15 - 19 in Washington, DC & Newark, NJ

• Module 3: Railway Technology, Research & Development |
  Sep. 28 - Oct. 2 in Fort Worth, TX & Pueblo, CO

• Module 4: Railway Operations |
  Nov. 2 - 6 in Indianapolis, IN & Chicago, IL

Please see all details HERE.

Join the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) for a webinar series to prepare transportation entities to prevent and address human trafficking in advance of the 2026 FIFA World Cup™. Transportation systems in host cities will serve as the backbone of mobility during the event, moving millions of spectators, workers, and visitors. Increased travel, hospitality demands, and temporary workforces can heighten vulnerabilities to both labor and sex trafficking. Whether on roadways, railways, airways, or waterways, transportation entities are uniquely positioned at points of transit, transfer, and arrival to report suspected human trafficking. These webinars will provide a practical readiness framework that strengthens leadership commitment, policy alignment, cross-sector partnerships, workforce preparedness, responsible data practices, and a survivor-informed response so transportation systems are prepared before kickoff and remain vigilant long after the final whistle. 

Webinar Dates:

• April 23, 2026 | 2:00 - 3:45pm EDT

• April 30, 2026 | 2:00 - 3:45pm EDT

Who Should Attend:

• State and local transportation authorities, operators, and industry associations 

• Transportation executives and senior leaders 

• Safety, security, and operations personnel 

• Event mobility planners

REGISTER HERE

To move beyond awareness toward operational readiness, each webinar will outline what meaningful preparedness looks like across modes. The webinar will also feature a multimodal panel highlighting implementation insights from across the transportation sector. As a result of this webinar, participants will have a better understanding of:

• The intersection of human trafficking with the transportation sector

• Indicators of sex and labor trafficking 

• A comprehensive approach to combating human trafficking for state, local, tribal, and private sector transportation entities 

• Relevant multimodal and mode-specific USDOT counter-trafficking resources 

• Examples of counter-trafficking best practices by operators in FIFA™ host cities

Related: learn more about Metra’s Human Trafficking prevention initiatives HERE, and HERE.

WHAT WE’RE READING

• Opinion: The fiscal cliff is real for transit — and it’s time to act! (San Diego Union Tribune)

• Metra to test new fare collection technology (Progressive Railroading)

• Could transit agency-owned land help solve California’s housing problem? (Smart Cities Dive)

• Urban rail transit construction in the US trails population growth (Smart Cities Dive)

• The Commute Is Back - Plus, hybrid workers are clogging the roads. (New York Times)