Author: David Peter Alan

Commentary

No Clear Track Ahead

PASSENGER RAIL OUTLOOK, RAILWAY AGE JANUARY 2026 ISSUE: “It was the best of times, it was the worst of times … in short, the period was … like the present period.” So

Commentary

Meet Seattle Mayor Katie Wilson, Transit Advocate

Last month’s election was a good one for Democrats. Mounting dissatisfaction with POTUS 47 and his Administration’s policies contributed to major victories, as I reported shortly after Election Day. I reported on

Commentary

Chicagoland Transit Gets Reprieve

Since the emergency infusion of federal funds for transit enacted during the COVID-19 pandemic started to run out, Railway Age has been reporting on how major transit providers have been faring. Some,

Commentary

Brightline Financial Woes Continue

On Sept. 30, I reported on Brightline, the private-sector passenger railroad that currently operates in Florida and is building a high-speed railroad between Southern California and Las Vegas. I examined the company’s

Commentary

Dems Win Big. Amtrak and Rail Transit, Too?

Election Night 2025 was a good one for Democrats. Although there were some local elections earlier this year, the first multi-state set of contests since POTUS 47 returned to office (after having

Commentary

Metro-North to Albany a Big Deal?

Starting next spring, on a date not yet announced, trains will again run on a regularly scheduled basis between New York City’s Grand Central Terminal (GCT) and Amtrak’s Albany-Rensselaer station. While track