CRC SPRING MEETING RECAP

CRC’s spring meeting brought the association’s Board of Directors and 45 other members together in Santa Fe last week for a comprehensive and productive program. NM DOT’s executive director of modal programs David Harris served as the meeting host, with Rio Metro’s Robert Gonzales and Elizabeth Olson facilitating a technical tour via Rail Runner Express.

The agenda featured a substantive discussion with FRA Chief Counsel Kyle Fields, who engaged in an extended question-and-answer session with attendees. Participants also heard remarks from Ron Batory, former FRA Administrator and current member of the Amtrak Board, who offered perspective on the evolving passenger rail landscape.

Governance actions included the establishment of a nominations committee to fill two open seats on the CRC Board: Brian Dagsland (Stacy Witbeck) and Elizabeth Olson (Rail Runner) were appointed to serve on the committee. In addition, the board of directors approved the formation of a task force charged with guiding the process to identify and recruit the association’s next Chief Executive Officer in the next twelve months.

The Coalition board also adopted its FY2026 budget, affirming that membership dues will remain unchanged for the upcoming renewal cycle.

Further updates were provided on CRC’s Strategic Plan, government affairs activities, and regulatory matters. Outside counsel also delivered a report on the recent U.S. Supreme Court decision in Galette v. New Jersey Transit, a case in which CRC participated by filing an amicus brief.

• Per Politico, US DOT lost around 7 percent of its staff from employees taking the DOGE-sponsored deferred resignation offer, more than 4,000 workers. The effects of those losses will be examined by the agency’s inspector general. Deputy Inspector General Mitch Behm has said his office plans to examine “the impact of the loss of so many employees over such a short period of time has had, and the expertise that goes along with that.”

  The Federal Transit Administration alone lost 32 percent of its workforce. Behm said that FTA and FHWA sub-agencies were “far more affected” than others, and Behm plans to put a “significant portion of” the audit scope toward that end.

• (Politico/Law360) The 2nd Circuit has rejected DOT’s appeals, denying the admnistration’s attempt to stop the flow of federal dollars to the Gateway rail tunnel project between New York and New Jersey. DOT is still mulling its legal options, but Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer argued the decision makes it clear that the administration must fund the initiative.

Mike Noland is concluding an extraordinary 43-year career in public transportation, including the last 12 years as President and General Manager of the Northern Indiana Commuter Transportation District (NICTD), as he retires this month.

During his tenure, Noland led the successful execution of NICTD’s ambitious 20-Year Strategic Plan. It included two key elements:

• The double tracking the 26-mile section of the main line railroad from Gary to Michigan City

• The extension of service along the West Lake Corridor, connecting north Hammond to the Munster/Dyer border via the Monon Corridor

“Though the timeline for the plan was 20 years, it needed, in my opinion, to be done in 20 minutes.” ~ Noland

Both landmark projects have now been completed, marking a historic milestone for regional transportation.

“I am very excited and proud to announce the completion of our long-awaited West Lake Corridor project,” said Noland. “Passenger service will officially begin on the new Monon Corridor at 11:45 am on Tuesday, March 31, 2026.”

Prior to his leadership at NICTD, Noland served for 21 years as Chief Administrative Officer and General Counsel at Metra. He is also a founder of the Commuter Rail Coalition and served as Chair of the association’s Board of Directors from 2023 to 2025.

A graduate of the University of Illinois Chicago Law School and the University of Notre Dame, Noland’s professional legacy will be his vision, dedication, and impactful leadership.

“I will be enjoying retirement with my wife, Carrie, who retired after a wonderful 37-year teaching career, in our forever home here, ‘Along the South Shore Line,’” Noland shared.  And, “I will remain a loyal supporter of the SSL and will be cheering loudly for our continued success.”

WHAT WE’RE READING

• The Last Exit: Fixing the Highway Trust Fund while Solvency is still Solvable Full Report (Eno Center for Transportation)

• NMDOT Finalizes 2026 State Rail Plan (Railway Age)

• Caltrain Board adopts new CROWS right-of-way safety strategy (Mass Transit)

• Gateway: Hudson Tunnel work to pause again if feds slow funding stream (Progressive Railroading)

• Gateway Development Commission Releases Construction Update (RT&S)

• Trump administration must make New York tunnel payments, appeals court rules (Reuters)

• Charlotte City Council approves $37.9M for next phase of Red Line commuter rail design (WCNC YouTube)

• From Commuter Service to Full Regional Rail System (Inside Nova)

• How long can Phil Eng juggle two roles? He says the answer is simple. (Boston Globe - paywalled)

• Portal North Bridge First Track Opens March 16 (RT&S)

• Retiring NICTD president announces opening date of Monon Corridor (WVPE 88.1)

• 3 million riders a year: FrontRunner is not flashy but it may be one of the more useful rail services in the West (Lonestar Trip Reports)

• STB turns down Metra request to set terms for operation on UP lines (TrainsPro)

• CTA, Metra, and Pace Encourage Riders to Thank Transit Workers (Metra)

• North Texas group approves study of new rail service (TrainsPro)

• DART, Trinity Metro, Denton County Transportation Authority release new regional fare pricing (Community Impact)

• How do state laws affect DART and public transportation funding in North Texas? (Houston Chronicle)

• All aboard! See how this commuter rail option may help solve traffic gridlock (News 4 JAX)

• Ceremonial First Train Ride Over the New Bridge Marks Major Milestone For Service Reliability on Northeast Corridor; Second Track To Be Cutover in the Fall (NJ Transit)

• VRE plans more weekday trains, new weekend service by 2030 (WTOP News)

• VRE names new chief operations officer (TrainsPro)

• A devastating train tragedy is clouding JD Vance’s judgment (Washington Post)