Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation (DRPT) appoints Mariia Zimmerman as Director. Also, the League of Railway Women (LRW) recognizes Norfolk Southern’s (NS) Dianne Barnett as 2025 Railway Woman of the Year; and New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA), Ports of Indiana, Trinity Metro in Texas, and HNTB Corporation hire executive leaders.
POTUS 47 appoints a second Presidential Advisory Board (PEB) to help settle an ongoing contract dispute at MTA Long Island Rail Road in New York. Also, Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) advances an Innovation Studio pilot project; and Trinity Metro’s TEXRail breaks a ridership record in December.
Trinity Metro partners with the Fort Worth Independent School District (FWISD) to allow free rides for high school students. Also, Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) ridership continues its upward trend in November; Sound Transit selects a developer for Federal Way transit-oriented development (TOD) sites; and the Denver Regional Transportation District (RTD) brings the holiday season to life with themed light rail wraps.
Amtrak names Costin Corneau as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer (CFO). Also, Trinity Metro names Reed Lanham as Chief Operating Officer (COO); and Urban Engineers, Inc. (Urban) names James (Jim) Bilella, PE, as CEO, and promotes Christopher Bobrowski, CPA, to CFO.
Amtrak Virginia closes the state’s fiscal year with record ridership. Also, New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) releases rider survey results, showing improvements in overall satisfaction across subway, commuter rail and bus service, and is adding customer service centers to 15 subway locations; Trinity Metro in Texas is offering one week of free rides on all local services; and Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority’s (LACMTA) “care-based outreach model” is paying off.
On a recent visit to the Texas Capitol in my role as the CEO of Fort Worth’s Trinity Metro, I was stopped by a state senator before I could begin my pitch for commuter rail. “I’m never using
Denver Regional Transportation District (RTD) leads commuter rail ridership recovery nationally from pre-pandemic levels. Also, TransLink launches a transit-themed beer; and Trinity Metro approves a 10-year $324 million contract extension for TEXRail and Trinity Railway Express (TRE).
Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) launches Automatic Train Operation (ATO) on the Green and Yellow lines. Also, Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (LACMTA) releases new details about its Sepulveda Transit Corridor project; Metrolink, Southern California’s regional passenger rail system, offers riders customized service alerts; and Trinity Metro’s Richard W. Andreski joins the Executive Committee of the American Public Transportation Association (APTA) Board of Directors.
Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) average daily ridership in February 2025 increases from last year. Also, North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) considers a temporary station at Charlotte Gateway Station; three North Texas agencies could combine commuter rail operations; and the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) is denied a bid for a temporary restraining order to stop an ongoing strike.
Testing of the KC Streetcar Extensions begins. Also, Trinity Metro approves $3.1 million for rail expansion services and equipment; and the Tyler Area Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) is approved a $150,000 contract to conduct a light rail study.
