Author: William C. Vantuono

With Railway Age since 1992, William C. Vantuono has broadened and deepened the magazine's coverage of the technological revolution that is so swiftly changing the industry. He has also strengthened Railway Age’s leadership position in industry affairs with the conferences he conducts, among them Next-Generation Train Control, Light Rail, and Rail Insights. He is the author or co-author or editor of several books, among them All About Railroading; John Armstrong’s The Railroad: What It Is, What It Does; Railway Age’s Comprehensive Railroad Dictionary; and Planning, Engineering, and Operating Light Rail, With Applications in New Jersey.
Commentary
  • News

The New York Times Magazine: The Case for the Subway

Jonathan Mahler, a staff writer for The New York Times Magazine, has written what I believe to be the definitive story of New York City’s subway system, to date. Mahler’s piece, available here in its entirety, is provocative, thought-provoking, and even a bit disturbing. In my opinion, anyone involved with rail transit—operators, suppliers, consultants, engineers, legislators, planners—should read this.

LACMTA TAPs Cubic for mobile app

The Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (LACMTA) has awarded Cubic Transportation Systems (CTS) a contract with for an integrated mobile app in support of the TAP regional contactless fare system. TAP links 24 transit agencies across the Los Angeles region, and the mobile app “will provide travelers with a range of convenience tools to enhance their daily commute,” CTS said.

NJT’s Santoro calling it quits

New Jersey Transit Executive Director Steve Santoro, who has spent 18 years with the agency, submitted his resignation to New Jersey Transportation Commissioner Rick Hammer on Jan. 5. He will be leaving in April and said he is “committed to ensuring a smooth transition for the new administration” of incoming Governor Phil Murphy.

600-plus (so far) headed to MARS

More than 600 people have registered for the 250th meeting of the Midwest Association of Rail Shippers (MARS) that will be held January 16–18, 2018 in Lombard, Ill. The theme for the meeting is “Can Rail Pick Up Transportation Capacity Shortfall?”

Commentary
  • News

Trump to Schumer: “Drop dead”

“Non-existent”: This is the exact term the United States Department of Transportation used to describe any commitment the federal government has toward funding the ambitious, multi-billion-dollar Gateway Program, which would vastly improve passenger rail access to New York City, the nation’s busiest transportation hub.

CN places major power order with GE

CN will acquire 200 new locomotives over the next three years from GE Transportation—the General Electric division that CEO John Flannery recently said would be sold off because it is a business “that drains investment and management resources without the prospects for a substantial reward.”

Foote firmly planted at CSX

CSX Corp. on Dec. 22 named James Foote as President and Chief Executive Officer, effective immediately. Formerly Chief Operating Officer, Foote had been acting CEO since Dec. 14 after E. Hunter Harrison was placed on medical leave. Harrison died Dec. 16. Foote will also join the CSX Board of Directors.