NARP President Capon steps down
Ross Capon, the face of the National Association of Railroad Passengers (NARP) for 39 years on Capitol Hill, is stepping down from his role as president, and apparently will retire from the organization at year’s end.
Commuter Regional
UP, Missouri county reach MOU on R-O-W
Jackson County, Mo., and Union Pacific have signed a Memorandum Of Understanding to transfer ownership of 19 miles of UP right-of-way to the county for future passenger rail use.
MTA sets Safety Committee, Chief Safety Officer
New York’s Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) announced Monday, Feb. 24, 2014 it is creating the position of Chief Safety Officer, a new senior management post reporting directly to Chairman and CEO Thomas Prendergast, to ensure safety is a top priority throughout all MTA operations.
Midwest freight woes spread to Northstar rail
Minnesota’s Metro Transit on Monday, Feb. 24, 2014 urged riders of Northstar Line commuter service not to board their trains to head for the Twin Cities, citing delays caused by heavy freight rail traffic caused by ongoing congestion problems.
Patrick Watz joins HNTB
Patrick Watz, PE, has joined HNTB Corp. as rail transit practice leader and vice president. Watz has more than 21 years of transportation industry experience, including planning, program management, design, construction management, and project controls services for rail transit systems, highways, bridges, and facilities. Watz is based in the firm’s Minneapolis office and serves clients nationwide.
ISR names Orellana Director, Communications and Wireless/Radio Frequency Technologies
Integrated Strategic Resources (ISR), a woman-owned business providing professional services specializing in systems integration management, communications networks, and applications and electronic security, has appointed Eduardo Orellana as Director, Communications and Wireless/Radio Frequency Tech-nologies.
NJT Executive Director Weinstein resigns
James Weinstein, executive director of New Jersey Transit, the nation’s third-largest public transportation agency, announced Tuesday, Feb. 18, 2014, that he has resigned effective March 2. New Jersey Governor Chris Christie, who appointed Weinstein in 2010, said Weinstein will be replaced by Veronique “Ronnie” Hakim, currently executive director of the New Jersey Turnpike Authority.
Florida funds to aid FEC airport access
Florida Gov. Rick Scott announced Monday, Feb. 17, 2014 a financial package of up to $215 million to assist construction of a rail station at Orlando International Airport.
Commentary
Love on the train ain’t no surprise
Save me a seat, and I’ll look into your eyes . . . . My apologies to Neil Diamond.
Nashville’s Ballard headed to Dallas/Fort Worth
Paul J. Ballard, chief executive officer of the Nashville MTA and Regional Transportation Authority of Middle Tennessee, is leaving the MTA to become president and CEO of the Fort Worth Transportation Authority.