• The US Supreme Court this week issued its decision in Galette v. NJ Transit, finding that NJ Transit is not an arm of the State of New Jersey and therefore is not entitled to assert interstate sovereign immunity. CRC had filed an amicus brief with the court in support of NJ Transit’s position. Kaplan Kirsch’s Allison Isihara Fultz will have more on the decision and its implications for similarly organized commuter railroads at next week’s CRC board meeting. Read the court’s opinion here.

• The NY MTA has prevailed in its effort to protect congestion pricing, with a court finding that USDOT’s effort to end the practice is illegal. Aimed at reducing NYC’s notorious gridlock and improve air quality, proceeds from the scheme are used to fund MTA capital improvements.

• (Per Politico) California, Illinois, Minnesota and Colorado’s attorneys general together are attempting to expand a lawsuit challenging the Trump administration’s cancellation of $600 million in public health funding to include transportation and disaster relief dollars. “This action is lawless. It violates the Administrative Procedure Act’s requirement of reasoned decision making, and it exceeds the agencies’ statutory authority,” the complaint states.

• A cybersecurity safety alert, titled “Hardening U.S. Rail Against Iranian Cyber Escalation Cybersecurity Safety Alert 2026-2,” was issued by the Federal Railroad Administration this week.

  The goal of the Alert is to advise the industry of a cyber vulnerability that may impact the safety of railroad operating technology. Although it will not be posted on the agency’s website, CRC members should look for a stand-alone email from the association with the details of the alert.

• Two more rail safety bills were introduced this week. The Secure Tracks Act would mandate visual track inspections be conducted by a human twice a week and make railroads use Automated Track Inspection technology regularly to buttress visual track inspections. Sen. Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.) and Sen. Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) introduced the measure in the Senate and Rep. Dina Titus (D-Nev.) is leading the charge in the House.

  Said Titus, “Trains carrying hazardous materials run right through my District in the heart of Las Vegas. The Secure Tracks Act will help ensure that any track defects that put our safety at risk are identified and addressed right away.”

  And Reps. Chris Deluzio (D-Pa.) and Nick LaLota (R-N.Y.), have introduced a bill in the House as a companion to Senator Jon Husted’s Senate version introduced in late February. That Senate bill mirrors one co-sponsored by then-Sen. JD Vance in the immediate aftermath of the NS derailment, and has been receiving support from the White House.

• The Federal Transit Administration has opened competition for $686 million in All Stations Accessibility Grants, which were created in the 2021 IIJA for “legacy stations.” FTA interprets that as stations built before the Americans With Disabilities Act. In its announcement DOT noted that it is prioritizing projects that benefit families and communities, wayfinding improvements, reduced project costs and improved project delivery. CRC member agencies will be competing against subway applicants for access to the funding pool. Applications are due May 1.

• The Federal Transit Administration is distributing $100 million to transit systems serving the cities hosting the FIFA 2026 World Cup. The federal dollars are aimed at assisting localities in expanding transportation options to meet increased demand. The money will be distributed through a formula which accounts for stadium capacity and the number of matches in each city. Transit agencies will be required to obligate the funds within one fiscal year of the World Cup’s completion.

THE CRC BOARD MEETS NEXT FRIDAY

Any Coalition member wishing to listen in to the meeting via zoom should reach out to Angie Johnson by noon Tuesday, March 10.

Progressive Railroading’s Rail Mentor Awards

Behind every successful rail professional is a mentor who guided them, shared expertise, and inspired them to grow. Do you have a colleague or industry peer whose guidance is making a meaningful impact on the trajectory of the next generation of rail professionals? Nominate them for 2026 Rail Mentor Awards.

Deadline: March 31.

Railway Age’s Most Influential Industry Leaders

The North American railway industry is driven by influential leaders, professionals who are making a difference in their organizations and the industry as a whole, and who are committed to service. Nominate that deserving individual today.

Deadline: April 8.

WHAT WE’RE READING

• FRA’s ‘Kind of a Little Bit’ Amtrak Restructuring (Railway Age)

• US: MBTA to Develop New Regional Rail Strategy (Railway News)

• US commuter operators launch battery-electric locomotive tender (International Railway Journal)

• Tri-Rail names interim executive director (Trains Pro)

• City Council Supports New DART Governance and Funding Structure (Richardson Today)

• Judge backs MTA in dispute with USDOT over congestion pricing (Progressive Railroading)

• As Bike Cars Overflow, Caltrain Bans Large Bikes and Panniers (Streets Blog SF)

• FTA Invests $686M to Modernize Aging Rail Stations (Metro Magazine)