Virginia Railway Express

  • News

Chris Henry Tapped as VRE COO

The Virginia Railway Express (VRE) has announced the selection of Chris Henry as the agency’s Chief Operations Officer (COO), effective March 14, 2026.

“We are honored that VRE has once again placed its trust in Keolis,” Keolis President and CEO Brad Thomas said. “This [contract] renewal underscores the operational excellence our teams deliver each day, and we remain committed to the highest standards of safety, reliability, and customer service as we support the DMV [District of Columbia, Maryland, and Virginia] region’s mobility needs.” (VRE Photograph)

Transit Briefs: VRE, Metrolinx

Virginia Railway Express (VRE) renews its contract with Keolis North America (Keolis). Also, construction is under way on Metrolinx’s Bowmanville Extension project that will bring the Lakeshore East GO line into the Durham Region of Southern Ontario, Canada.

Transit Briefs: SEPTA, STV, NYMTA, Amtrak/USRC

Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) system-wide ridership decreases 1% in November. Also, STV’s Quantico Station Improvement Project wins an American Council of Engineering Companies of Virginia (ACEC Virginia) Grand Award; Governor Kathy Hochul vetoes a bill that would require two-person crews on the New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority’s (MTA) subway trains; and Amtrak and Union Station Redevelopment Corporation (USRC) leaders approve an agreement to restore federal control of the facility.

Marty Thomas, TTX (left), and Katie Choe, VRE. (Photographs courtesy of the respective organizations)
  • News

People News: TTX, VRE

TTX Company elevates Marty Thomas to President, and Virginia Railway Express (VRE) appoints Katie Choe as CEO.

NS Partners to Support Passenger Rail

In addition to moving freight, Norfolk Southern (NS) has also “played an industry-leading role” in hosting new and existing passenger services, working with passenger rail partners to find solutions that “balance the needs of the company’s freight network and the customers it serves with those of its communities,” the Class I recently reported.

DART has eight Stadler DMUs for its 26-mile Silver Line service, which will launch Oct. 25. (DART Photograph)

Transit Briefs: DART, HART, Caltrain, San Diego MTS, VRE, Amtrak

Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) readies for Silver Line service. Also, Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation (HART) preps riders for Skyline’s second-segment launch; California’s Caltrain will be compensated for the power it returns to the grid through its trains’ regenerative braking; San Diego Metropolitan Transit System (MTS) reports a drop in crime across its network; Virginia Railway Express (VRE) reaches a ridership milestone; and a third daily trip will be added to Amtrak’s Missouri River Runner during the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Infrastructure Ontario and Metrolinx on Aug. 6 awarded a fixed-price contract of C$1.44 billion to North End Connectors to design, build, and finance (DBF) the advance tunneling project for the Yonge North Subway Extension, which will extend the TTC’s Line 1 subway service approximately 5 miles (8 kilometers) from the existing terminus at Finch Station into the City of Richmond Hill. (Photograph Courtesy of Metrolinx)

Transit Briefs: Metrolinx, Amtrak, SEPTA

Canada’s Infrastructure Ontario and Metrolinx award a C$1.4 billion contract for the Yonge North Subway Extension project in Toronto. Also, Amtrak adds a new track and platform at Washington Union Station; and Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) releases reduced-service schedules and sets a deadline to avert cuts.

MinhChau Corr, incoming General Counsel, VRE (Photograph courtesy of VRE)
  • News

People News: VRE, Arup

Virginia Railway Express (VRE) appoints MinhChau Corr as General Counsel, succeeding Steve MacIsaac, who will retire in September. Also, the Arup consultancy announces its new Americas leadership team members.

Transit Briefs: BART, VRE, MARTA, TransLink, SEPTA, NYMTA, MassDOT, LA Metro, Reading & Northern

Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) ridership continues to grow. Also, Virginia Railway Express (VRE) adopts its System Plan 2050; the Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA) and Atlanta United release the second edition of the “MARTA Collection” retail line; TransLink frontline workers wear language pins to better support newcomers and tourists; Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) ridership in June increases 6% from last year; the New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) installs protective platform barriers at more than 50 subway stations; POTUS 47 terminates $327 million for the Massachusetts Department of Transportation’s (MassDOT) Allston Multimodal Project; the opening of LA Metro’s LAX Transit Center drives a dramatic increase in ridership on the K Line; and Reading & Northern Railroad’s (RBMN) Passenger Department celebrates its 40th anniversary.

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