For STB’s RETAC, Six New Members

The Surface Transportation Board (STB) on Oct. 23 reported appointing six new members to its Rail Energy Transportation Advisory Committee (RETAC).

Women leaders at Norfolk Southern attended the ABL Super Tuesday Conference on Oct. 3. Pictured, left to right: Phyllis Love, Kim Spicer, Banita Hyman, Lisa Holloman, Annelle McQuerry and Marty Thomas. Banita Hyman (third from left) was named to ABL’s 100 Most Influential Black Women of 2023 list. (NS Photograph)

People News: NS, UP, Illinois HSR Commission

Norfolk Southern (NS) Senior Director Infrastructure and Cloud Services Banita Hyman earns a spot on the Atlanta Business League’s 2023 100 Most Influential Black Women list. Also, Union Pacific (UP) President Beth Whited is recognized as a “People Leader” to watch by executive search firm N2Growth; and lllinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker appoints Moline City Administrator Bob Vitas to the Illinois High-Speed Railway (HSR) Commission.

Wabtec has landed a “multi-million-dollar” order from Kawasaki Rail Car for brakes and couplers that will be used on MTA New York City Transit’s 640 new R211 rapid transit cars. The 640 cars were ordered in 2022 as an option to a 2018 base order for 535 cars (pictured).

Supply Side: Wabtec, FourKites

Wabtec Corporation is supplying brakes and couplers for 640 MTA New York City Transit (NYCT) R211s on order with Kawasaki Rail Car Inc. Also, supply chain visibility provider FourKites updates its AI-enabled Slot Manager system.

CTA has released a $1.99 billion operating budget proposal for 2024 that reflects a 9.2% (or $168.2 million) increase over the previous year.

Transit Briefs: CTA, LIRR, Metrolink, Metrolinx, WMATA

Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) proposes a $1.99 billion operating budget for 2024. Also, Rob Free takes over as acting President of MTA Long Island Rail Road (LIRR); Southern California’s Metrolink conducts an on-board drill using earthquake safety technology; WSP in Canada wins a contract for Metrolinx’s Hamilton Light Rail Transit project in Ontario; the Ontario government plans transit-oriented development near six future stations of Metrolinx’s Ontario Line subway and Scarborough Subway extension projects in Toronto; and Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) extends Parsons’ task-order contract.

Sam Macedonio (center) has been promoted to BNSF VP Labor Relations, following Rob Karov’s retirement. Melissa Beasley Coke becomes AVP Labor Relations.

Karov Stepping Down as BNSF VP Labor Relations

BNSF Vice President Labor Relations Rob Karov is retiring after more than 30 years of service. Succeeding him is Sam Macedonio, the Class I railroad told Railway Age on Oct. 19.

Jason Lhota, General Manager, American Industries

American Industries Taps Lhota as GM

Jason Lhota is the new General Manager for American Industries (AI), an A. Stucki Co. subsidiary that supplies new and reconditioned railcar components and systems from its Sharon, Pa., and Jerseyville, Ill., facilities.

(CSX Photograph)

CSX, BRS Reach Paid Sick Leave Agreement

CSX on Oct. 19 reported that a paid sick leave agreement has been ratified with the Seaboard Coast Line (SCL) property for the Brotherhood of Railroad Signalmen (BRS).

MB Rail to Launch Kentucky Logistics Facility

Midwest & Bluegrass Rail (MB Rail) and the Maysville-Mason County (Ky.) Port Authority have teamed to develop a new multimodal logistics facility, to be served by CSX.   With access to state

Andy Ash, retired Director of Dangerous Goods at the Railway Association of Canada, is the 2023 Holden-Proefrock Award winner for career achievement in hazmat safety. (RAC Photograph)

AAR Honors 28 Hazmat Safety Leaders

The Association of American Railroads (AAR) on Oct. 18 reported that Andy Ash, retired Director of Dangerous Goods at the Railway Association of Canada (RAC), and 27 shippers have earned industry awards for their commitment to the safe transport of hazardous materials (hazmat).

MBTA’s winning exterior design for its Green Line Type 10 “supercars” from CAF USA Inc. (pictured) was selected by riders and the transit agency’s employees. (Rendering Courtesy of MBTA)

Transit Briefs: MBTA, Brightline, Denver RTD, NIRDA

Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) unveils the exterior paint design for its new Green Line cars. Also, Brightline offers a new All-Station Shared Pass for travel between Miami and Orlando, Fla.; Denver (Colo.) Regional Transportation District reports that more than 75% of rail and bus riders are “satisfied” or “very satisfied” with service; and Northwest Indiana Regional Development Authority (NIRDA) advances three new transit development districts along South Shore commuter rail lines.

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