People News: Denver RTD, USDOT

The Denver Regional Transportation District (RTD) promotes Brett Feddersen to Chief Information and Technology Officer. Also, Michael Rutherford is nominated to lead the U.S. Department of Transportation’s (USDOT) Office of Multimodal Freight Infrastructure and Policy as Assistant Secretary for Multimodal Freight.

NJT Releases RFQ for Northern Rail MOW Facility

New Jersey Transit (NJT) on July 23 released a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) for special prequalification for the final design, construction, and commissioning of the Northern Rail Maintenance-of-Way (MOW) Facility, a major infrastructure initiative located in Clifton, N.J.

Transit Briefs: Amtrak, LA Metro

Amtrak shares a first look at its new Airo trainsets. Also, Amtrak celebrates 100 years of Chicago’s Union Station; and LA Metro’s expanded GoPass/WSS partnership results in nearly 17,000 students gaining easier access to school, work, and leisure activities.

AAR: North American Rail Volume Up Through Week 29

North American carload and intermodal traffic for the first 29 weeks of 2025 (ending July 19) was up 2.9% from the prior-year period, according to the Association of American Railroads’ (AAR) latest rail traffic report. While the United States and Canada both saw gains, Mexico experienced a loss.

GoRail, INRD Host State Legislators to Witness Freight Rail Operations

GoRail on July 18 welcomes 55 state legislators from 23 states for a policy discussion, reception, and tour at The Indiana Rail Road Company (INRD).

See Tracks? Think Train® Week Set for Sept. 15-21

Operation Lifesaver Inc. (OLI), along with state OLI programs, and rail safety partners across the U.S., Canada, and Mexico, are kicking off this year’s observance of See Tracks? Think Train® Week on Sept. 15.

CN’s Robinson: ‘Strong’ Results Despite ‘Challenging External Environment’

“Our team’s ability to be nimble and our focus on tight cost control allowed us to adjust our operations and deliver strong results despite a challenging external environment,” said CN President and CEO Tracy Robinson during the Class I’s second-quarter 2025 financial and operating announcement on July 22.

People News: CN, Denver RTD

Janet Drysdale assumes the role of CN’s Interim Chief Commercial Officer. Also, Denver Regional Transportation District (RTD) appoints Timothy (Tim) Tyran as Director of Safety and Environmental Compliance and Chief Safety Officer.

STB to Hold Meetings on ‘Improving Competition and Reducing Regulatory Barriers’

Surface Transportation Board (STB) Chairman Patrick Fuchs on July 21 announced that the agency is holding a series of meetings “designed to discuss ideas and opportunities to update the STB’s regulatory framework to improve competition and reduce regulatory barriers.”

Transit Briefs: BART, VRE, MARTA, TransLink, SEPTA, NYMTA, MassDOT, LA Metro, Reading & Northern

Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) ridership continues to grow. Also, Virginia Railway Express (VRE) adopts its System Plan 2050; the Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA) and Atlanta United release the second edition of the “MARTA Collection” retail line; TransLink frontline workers wear language pins to better support newcomers and tourists; Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) ridership in June increases 6% from last year; the New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) installs protective platform barriers at more than 50 subway stations; POTUS 47 terminates $327 million for the Massachusetts Department of Transportation’s (MassDOT) Allston Multimodal Project; the opening of LA Metro’s LAX Transit Center drives a dramatic increase in ridership on the K Line; and Reading & Northern Railroad’s (RBMN) Passenger Department celebrates its 40th anniversary.

LOAD MORE