Hedlund joins Parsons Brinckerhoff

Former Federal Railroad Administration Deputy Administrator Karen J. Hedlund has joined Parsons Brinckerhoff as Director of Public-Private Partnerships (P3s). In her new position, she will work with federal, state, and local transportation agencies as well as private companies to facilitate financing and development of transportation projects through P3s. She will be based in Parsons Brinckerhoff’s New York headquarters.

2015 Passenger Rail Outlook

States and cities join those purchasing railcar equipment, often with varied modal needs, prompting fierce competition from industry suppliers eager to serve.

Thales gets Mexican signal contract

Thales said Thursday, Jan. 15, 2015 it will “provide its ETCS Level 2 signaling technology for the suburban rail line between Mexico City and Toluca, the capital of the State of México.”

HNTB names Townes transit market sector leader

Transit industry veteran Michael Townes has joined HNTB Corp. as senior vice president and national transit market sector leader. He is based in the firm’s Arlington, Va., office and works with transit clients across the country, responsible for strategic planning and implementation, industry representation, business development, service delivery, and client satisfaction.

Plans for NJT Elizabeth station upgrade touted

With a public relations flourish, but no money yet identified to commit to the deed, New Jersey Transit on Monday, Jan. 12, 2015 announced “preliminary design plans” for an upgraded and restored station in Elizabeth, N.J., located on Amtrak’s Northeast Corridor (NEC).

NJT readies Raritan Valley Line upgrade

Rail riders on New Jersey Transit’s Raritan Valley Line will gain direct access to and from New York’s Penn Station, a much coveted “one-seat ride,” beginning Monday, Jan. 12, 2015, NJ Transit has announced.

Mudslide nixes Sound Transit service

Seattle’s Sound Transit pre-emptively annulled train service Sunday, Dec. 28, 2014, anticipating disruptions due to forecast heavy rain. Its action proved wise, as mudslides affected BNSF right-of-way, over which Sound Transit service runs.

APTA: Rail powers 3Q transit ridership gains

More than 2.7 billion trips were taken on U.S. public transportation in the third quarter of 2014, up 1.8% from the comparable quarter in 2013, according American Public Transportation Association (APTA), releasing a report Wednesday, Dec. 17, 2014. Rail transit ridership was a driving factor.

Chicago taps Cubic for regional transit mobile app

Chicago area transit agencies Chicago Transit Authority (CTA), Metra, and suburban bus operator Pace have awarded Cubic Transportation Systems a contract to supply an integrated, smart phone-based system supporting a variety of mobile ticketing, mobile top up, and contactless mobile payment applications using Near Field Communication (NFC), account management, and advanced trip planning technologies that incorporate all three regional agencies.

FRA green-lights CBOSS PTC

The Federal Railroad Administration has given Caltrain the green light to proceed with the installation and testing of its CBOSS (Caltrain Communications Based Overlay Signal System) Positive Train Control (PTC) technology. Parsons is leading the design, procurement, and installation of the system for Caltrain.
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