Virginia Railway Express CEO Rich Dalton has announced his intent to retire from the organization, effective October 3, 2025.

Dalton joined VRE in 2009 as the Chief Operating Officer, although his prior work through positions with the locomotive manufacturing company Morrison-Knudsen (MK), now known as Wabtec, involved Dalton in agency operations since the first VRE trains left the station in June 1992. During his 16-year tenure at VRE, Dalton managed numerous transformative projects for the system, including the implementation of Positive Train Control (PTC), making VRE one of the first commuter railroads to do so. Dalton also played a critical role in the implementation of both lifecycle maintenance and reliability-centered maintenance regimes, and extension of VRE service to Spotsylvania County in 2015.

Dalton stepped in as the Interim CEO in 2019 and was ultimately appointed as the permanent CEO in 2020. He led VRE through substantial evolutions, as well as periods of instability, including the COVID-19 pandemic which continues to challenge commuter rail networks across the nation to navigate diminished ridership and uncertain budgetary cycles. Under Dalton’s leadership, VRE consistently maintained high rider satisfaction with no substantial impacts to operations during the pandemic.

VRE and Dalton have been enthusiastic advocates and supporters of CRC’s mission. Earlier this year Dalton represented CRC before a meeting with House T&I professional staff collecting input on reauthorization priorities.

• Chief U.S. District Judge John McConnell ruled that the Trump administration cannot withhold billions of dollars in transportation grant funding from Democratic-led states refusing to cooperate with immigration enforcement. The ruling came ahead of a June 20 grant application deadline for states. Prior to that deadline, Department of Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy imposed conditions on that funding, requiring applications to agree to adhere to an Immigration Enforcement Condition upon submission. Read the NPR article in full here. Another article from the National League of Cities describes the ruling here.

• Kaplan Kirsch provided this alert: USDOT Asks Court to Declare Its Disadvantaged Business Enterprise Program Unconstitutional. USDOT, in a reversal of its decades-long policy, has sought court approval of a consent order that would declare its Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) program unconstitutional.

  If the consent order is approved, the order would impact DBE programs at the Federal Transit Administration (FTA), Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), and Federal Highway Administration (FHWA). Congress has not authorized FRA to establish a DBE program. There is no immediate action for federal grantees to take, but guidance will likely be issued to grantees by USDOT. Click here to read the full alert.

• Per Politico: Former Rep. Marc Molinaro (R-N.Y.), President Donald Trump’s pick to be the next FTA administrator, has been working as a senior adviser to Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy on transit issues since June 16. Molinaro’s nomination has not yet been scheduled for a Senate floor vote. The Senate Banking Committee approved his nomination in April.

• House T&I Chairman Sam Graves (R-MO) has named Mark Ratto as staff director of the subcommittee on Railroads, Pipelines and Hazardous Materials. CRC members will recognize Ratto from his (virtual) Q&A during the last meeting of the CRC Board of Directors.

Beginning Tuesday, July 1, Metrolink will debut a new fare menu as a pilot program through the end of the calendar year. Changes are designed to simplify the customer journey at the point of fare purchase and will also make taking the train a more accessible and affordable option for customers.

The new pilot program will streamline available offerings, while simultaneously lowering the cost of most monthly passes and introducing new fixed-price day pass options.

Most monthly pass prices will decrease, creating more value for commuters traveling three or more days per week, according to an agency press release.

After four years leading Keolis Commuter Services (KCS), Abdellah Chajai has been promoted to a new role as Executive Director of Marketing, Innovation, Sustainable Development and Engagement for Keolis Group. KCS is the MBTA’s operations and maintenance partner for Commuter Rail.

“I am proud of what the Keolis team has accomplished during my time in Boston, and in my new role I will continue to be a champion for the important work happening here. In partnership with the MBTA, we have helped usher in a new era of Commuter Rail operations and service, driving the strongest ridership return nationally post-Covid. — Abdellah Chajai, CEO and General Manager of Keolis Commuter Services.

Keolis Group is a global leader in transit services, operating every mode of transportation across 13 countries.

CRC MEMBERS VOTE TUESDAY

When the Commuter Rail Coalition meets in San Francisco on Tuesday, July 1, the Nominations Committee will formally present a slate of candidates to serve on the association’s board of directors.

To participate in the election, members must be in good standing (i.e. 2025 dues paid by July 1). Each CRC member organization is represented by a single designated representative, who received their ballot by email. Only these representatives (or their authorized designee) may cast a ballot. Alternate voters must be named by COB Friday, June 27 here.

WHAT WE’RE READING

• Eno Center’s latest report explores how transit agencies can improve project delivery (Mass Transit)

• MTA purchases 316 M-9A passenger railcars (Mass Transit)

• Regional Day Pass made available on latest version of Ventra app for Chicago residents (Mass Transit)

• Denver RTD Reports Strong Gains in Customer Satisfaction and Service Performance (Metro)

• Breaking SEPTA will break Philly (Philadelphia Inquirer) PAYWALL AFTER ONE FREE ARTICLE

• CA: Plan to fund beleaguered Bay Area transit agencies in 2026 faces political headwinds (Mass Transit)

• LA’s six-county regional railroad to reset fares July 1 (Smart Cities Dive)

• VRE's Lifecycle Overhaul and Upgrade: Trains are Cool, and So is a Stress-Free Commute! (7News)

• NYMTA Approves Purchase of 316 M-9A Passenger Railcars (Railway Age)

• FRA urges railroads to step up conductor training and testing (Trains)

• MBTA commuter rail operator’s CEO heads back to France (Commonwealth Beacon)

• Long-term plan for MARC service includes route extensions, increased frequencies (Trains)

There will be no Bulletin next Friday due to the Independence Day Holiday. Look for the next edition on July 11, 2025.