The Senate on Tuesday confirmed Sean Duffy to be the next head of the Department of Transportation. Despite a spate of Democratic “no” votes, Duffy was confirmed 77-22 and has already begun building out his team in Navy Yard with two Capitol Hill veterans. The “no” votes appeared to be a protest against recent White House directives for agencies to pause spending.

Duffy brings experienced staff from his Congressional team to the DOT. Pete Meachum, Duffy’s chief of staff when he was a lawmaker representing Wisconsin’s 7th District, will take over as Duffy’s chief at DOT. Meachum has experience under former Speaker Kevin McCarthy, worked on President Donald Trump’s 2016 campaign and advised Duffy through his confirmation process. In addition to his government work, Meachum worked briefly with Cronos Group, a company focused on cannabis research.

Ryan McCormack, who served as Duffy’s legislative director in the House, among other roles, will also be joining Duffy at DOT. McCornack will take on the role of deputy chief of staff. He’s also served as chief of staff to Rep. Scott Fitzgerald (R-Wis.) and as chief of staff at the Export-Import Bank of the United States. (Politico)

On January 29, the newly installed Secretary issued three orders to rescind “woke” DEI policies and advance President Trump’s Economic Agenda. According to a statement on the USDOT website, the orders will serve to “roll back burdensome and costly regulations, restore economic growth and ensure that all USDOT policies align with the Administration’s priorities.”

According to the statement, the orders issued this week are
intended to:

• Rescind Biden-Harris Administration’s “Woke” Policies

• Lower Costs Through Smarter Policies, not Political Ideologies

• Rescind Greenhouse Gas Measurement Rule

The Surface Transportation Board has announced that a vacancy currently exists on its Passenger Rail Advisory Committee for a representative from a state that provides funding for intercity passenger rail. The Board is soliciting nominations from the public for candidates to fill this vacancy. Pursuant to the PRAC charter, this representative cannot be from the same state as any of the representatives of the commuter rail operators, or the representative from a state in which the intercity passenger rail stations are served only by long-distance trains. The new member will serve the remainder of the representative’s current 3-year term, which ends in March 2027. Members may serve an additional term with approval from the Chair of the Board, without needing to be renominated for that additional term. Members of the PRAC are appointed to serve in a representative capacity.

CRC’s founding chairman, Metra’s Jim Derwinski, currently serves as co-chair of the PRAC. Other CRC members holding seats include Lori Winfree (NCTD), Rob Padgette (Capitol Corridor) and Gregg Baxter (Herzog).

Nominations are due February 27. Submissions will be posted publicly on the Board’s website under Docket No. EP 774
(Sub-No. 1).

PRAC meetings are open to the public and held at least twice a year. For questions about the PRAC, contact Brian O’Boyle by phone at 202-245-0364 or by e-mail at Brian.Oboyle@stb.gov.

RIDE METROLINK FREE ON
TRANSIT EQUITY DAY, FEB. 4

LOS ANGELES – Metrolink is once again offering free rides to celebrate Transit Equity Day, held annually on Feb. 4 to commemorate civil rights pioneer Rosa Parks’ birthday. Next Tuesday, Southern Californians can board at any of Metrolink’s 67 stations – no ticket needed – and travel systemwide, including Arrow service. Many local transit carriers are also waiving fares.

In October, Metrolink increased weekday service by nearly 23%, adding more midday and late-evening options for customers who need to travel outside of the traditional 8-to-5 commuter windows. During the intervening months, Metrolink has set multiple post-pandemic, single-day ridership records, as more people have been able to utilize the service. This Monday, Jan. 27, the agency implemented a new San Bernardino Line schedule to improve on-time performance along the high-volume corridor. Riders are encouraged to experience the changes firsthand for free on Transit Equity Day.

Following the Executive Order mandating a return to the office for federal employees, staff at Virginia Railway Express have developed plans to connect with former riders and market our service to prospective passengers. Over the past 10 days, VRE Operations staff contacted transit benefits coordinators at more than 150 agencies through email and follow-up phone calls to offer individualized assistance to returning workers to ensure their benefits are properly allocated to VRE Mobile.  

February 24 will be the return-to-office start date for several agencies. 

VRE experienced its highest daily post-pandemic ridership this week.

WHAT WE’RE READING

• USDOT Secretary Duffy Signs Memos to Rescind DEI, Climate Policies (Progressive Railroading)

• CHSRA, MTA Projects to Bring Economic Growth to Respective Regions (Mass Transit Magazine)

• Foe of Congestion Pricing Expected to Head Key Transit Agency (New York Times)