NOW POSTED: “WHAT’S AHEAD FOR COMMUTER RAIL?”

NEW MEMBER PROFILE: ALVAREZ & MARSAL

Sitting within A&M’s Infrastructure (INFRA) business unit, the Transportation & Logistics (T&L) practice was launched with the appointment of Joseph C. Sponholz, a globally recognized leader in the T&L sector, as the Head of Transportation & Logistics. His leadership has strengthened our position as a key player in the industry, and Joe will be representing A&M in the Commuter Rail Coalition.

A&M a has unique culture of “getting it done,” taking a hands-on approach to delivering for clients. That includes actively participating in and collaboratively driving decisions that achieve rapid, tangible results. The INFRA T&L practice focuses primarily on providing services within the port, railway, airport, and highway industries. We offer top-end strategy and complex problem solving in planning, financial analysis, performance improvement, operations, and urgent remediation as needed throughout the project lifestyle.

NJT PRESIDENT CORBETT STEPPING DOWN

Kevin has worked in coordination with our federal government, Amtrak and our Legislature to develop strategic plans and solutions that address commuters’ concerns and position NJ Transit for long-term reliability and success. His leadership and service to the people of New Jersey has been unwavering and I wish him the best as he begins this next chapter. - NJ Governor Phil Murphy

During his tenure, Corbett oversaw the full implementation of positive train control (PTC), the nearly-completed Portal North Bridge replacement project, the introduction of NJ Transit’s first-ever electric buses, the restoration of the ranks of New Jersey’s locomotive engineers and bus operators, the implementation of the agency’s forward-thinking five-year capital plan, and winning recognition as North America’s Most Outstanding Public Transportation System. Corbett is also a co-founder of the Commuter Rail Coalition.

Serving as president and CEO of NJ Transit has been the honor of a lifetime. I am profoundly grateful for the trust Gov. Murphy placed in me and for his unwavering support that has resulted in transformational improvements benefiting New Jerseyans for decades to come. I am also thankful for the opportunity to work alongside an extraordinary team of more than 12,000 men and women dedicated to serving the residents of New Jersey. - Kevin Corbett

Corbett will work with one of New Jersey’s prestigious universities that will allow him to remain deeply connected to the transportation sector, focusing on practical innovation, infrastructure and advocacy.

Murphy has named Kris Kolluri to succeed Corbett in January 2025. Kolluri recently completed his tenure as the CEO of the Gateway Development Commission, a bi-state entity overseeing the $16.1 billion Hudson Tunnel Project, the largest infrastructure project in the U.S.

ON THE HILL

REFLECTIONS FROM SECRETARIES FOXX & BUTTIGIEG

SAUER TAKES OVER AS SEPTA's INTERIM GM

Scott Sauer this week started his role as the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority’s (SEPTA) interim general manager. He succeeds Leslie Richards, a past board member of CRC, who stepped down Nov. 29 to expand her role as a professor of practice at the University of Pennsylvania’s Weitzman School of Design. Prior to taking on the role of Interim GM, Sauer served as SEPTA’s Chief Operating Officer.

WHAT WE’RE READING

• Caltrain to move HQ to Millbrae (Progressive Railroading)

• Metrolink Awards Contract to Alstom to Operate, Service and Maintain Agency’s Regional Passenger Rail System (Mass Transit Magazine)

• How Commuter Rail can Boost a Local Economy: A Look at London’s Elizabeth Line (Alstom)

• LPS is Proud to Announce that Keolis Commuter Services in Boston has Integrated the LaserTrain into its Maintenance Strategy for the MBTA’s Commuter Rail System. (Railway News)

• Duckworth Discusses Rail Accessibility and Improvements with Metra Leadership (audio recording) (Riverbender.com)

• New York Details Metro-North Railroad Capital Improvement Benefits (Metro Magazine)

• TriMet Taps STV to Enhance Security, Transit Mobility in Portland (Metro Magazine)

• Governor Hochul Announces Benefits to Metro-North Railroad From MTA Capital Program (governor.ny.gov)