Commuter Rail Conversations

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Latest Episodes:

Recap: Washington Fly-In Spring 2024 Mar 17, 2024

In this episode, Commuter Rail Coalition CEO, KellyAnne Gallagher, and Coalition Government Affairs Director, John Cline, recap the March 13th and 14th Capitol Hill spring fly-in. During this spring’s now semi-annual event, the CRC had a series of productive meetings including conversations with Sen. Todd Young (R-IN), House Railroad Subcommittee Chairman Troy Nehls (R-TX), Rep. Rudy Yakym (R-IN), Rep. Frank Mrvan (D-IN) and staff in the committees of jurisdiction in both chambers.

This month’s fly-in was led by CRC Chair Mike Noland (NICTD/South Shore Line) and CEO KellyAnne Gallagher and the delegation was comprised of CRC members from around the country who articulated policy implications for their agencies and companies. Thanks to VRE’s Joe Swartz, SEPTA’s Joe Connelly, Wabtec’s Chris Zappi, and Herzog’s Gregg Baxter for participating, and to John Cline (Cline Strategic Consulting) and Julie Minerva (Carpi & Clay) for support. Look for details coming soon regarding the upcoming Commuter Rail hearing.

Rolling Stock Solutions: Bridging the Gap for Commuter Railroads Mar 16, 2024

In this episode, Coalition CEO KellyAnne Gallagher is joined by guest host Melissa Boyles, Rolling Stock Solutions’ CEO Phillip Puccia and Chief Mechanical Officer, Sean Kehoe. Recently, KellyAnne joined them onsite in Montreal where she quickly realized the enthusiasm and passion Phil and Sean share for this simple yet innovative and effective approach to bridging the gap for commuter rail roads in their vehicle replacement strategies is contagious. Not only does the Rolling Stock Solutions' model extend the useful life of locomotives that would otherwise be discarded, it provides a valuable resource for agencies as they are transitioning fleets and performing critical maintenance activities. This proven model, used frequently in aviation and freight, is now available to commuter railroads in North America.

Excess Liability Market: A Real Risk for Railroads Mar 19, 2023

In this episode of Commuter Rail Conversations, Coalition CEO, KellyAnne Gallagher and John Cline, of Cline Strategic Consulting and CRC’s Director of Government Affairs, discuss the impacts of excess liability requirements on commuter rail roads. They are joined by special guest Otis Tolbert. Otis is the Managing Director and Global Practice Leader of Aon’s Rail and Transit Practice. He has been with AON since 1998 and has served clients as a strategic advisor on complex risks. As Global Practice Leader, Otis has responsibility for thought leadership, product innovation, strategic direction, and financial performance of one of Aon’s oldest industry segment practice groups; rail and transit.
Excess liability requirements for commuter rail roads have shifted due in part to existing US policy as well as shared use agreements with freight, PTC, and other considerations. The impacts to the industry are significant and, should our commuter railroads find themselves unable to meet the increasing coverage requirements, could leave our passengers stranded at the platforms.
Listen in to hear from the experts about what’s happening, potential solutions, and an understanding of our call to action.

Recap: Washington Fly-In Spring 2023 Mar 03, 2023

In this episode of Commuter Rail Conversations, Coalition CEO KellyAnne Gallagher talks with Director of Government Affairs John Cline about the takeaways from our first Washington Fly-in of 2023. Our itinerary prioritized meetings with new committee leadership on the House side, while also catching up with professional staff on the Senate side, and checking in with FTA and FRA. Capitol Hill has reopened, making transitioning from meeting to meeting as seamless as before COVID, and the schedule reflected that. Listen in as KellyAnne and John discuss the policy priorities at the top of CRC’s agenda; what members are saying about legislating rail safety post-the East Palestine NS derailment; and a possible pathway to CRISI eligibility.

Commuter Rail Conversation with Caltrain's Director of Strategy and Policy, Sam Sargent Nov 02, 2022

In this episode, Melissa Boyles, Vice President of Diversity and Development for Stacy and Witbeck and host of the Moving Arizona podcast serves as our special guest host. She interviews Sam Sargent, Caltrain’s Director of Strategy and Policy, and they talk about taking leaps. First, Sam's big leap from Austin Texas to California’s Bay area and then Caltrain's leap into electrification of its commuter rail service. Sam brings Caltrain a fresh perspective from his many years working with the greater Austin community as CapMetro’s Director of Government Affairs. He recently joined Caltrain, just five months ago, and has hit the ground running!

Alternative Project Delivery Methods Apr 23, 2022

In this latest episode of the Commuter Rail Conversations podcast series, Hatch’s Dave Genova hosts a conversation with Caltrain’s Michelle Bouchard and MBTA’s Ryan Coholan on Alternative Project Delivery Methods in the Commuter Rail Industry.

Kevin Corbett and Mike Noland Interview House Railroads Subcommittee Chairman Donald Payne, Jr. Aug 11, 2021

In this edition of Commuter Rail Conversations, Kevin Corbett and Mike Noland join us for a wide ranging conversation with House Railroads Subcommittee Chairman Donald Payne, Jr. Listen in as we discuss everything from climate change, to excess liability; from commuter rail’s recovery from the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, to the STB’s authorities.

Guest Host Michelle Bouchard from Caltrain Interviews SEPTA's Leslie Richards Feb 24, 2021

In this episode of Commuter Rail Conversations we’re talking about pivoting: taking over a multi-modal agency during COVID while staying focused on core principles and preparing to host major international events in a five-year horizon.

Just as she took the reins at SEPTA last year the COVID pandemic upended life in Philadelphia. The framework Leslie Richards brought with her was revised during an unpredictable first year as general manager. But throughout, she maintained focus on her core values to deliver for her employees, for Philadelphia, and her UPenn students.

Joining us for the conversation is Caltrain’s incoming executive director Michelle Bouchard, who is linked to Leslie as a fellow Brown University alumna and Woman in Rail awardee. You won’t believe these two dynamic women started the conversation as strangers.

Key takeaway: SEPTA and Caltrain both are in good hands with Leslie and Michelle at the helm during these extraordinary times.

Mike Noland Interview: Pete Buttigieg potential U.S. Secretary of Transportation Jan 11, 2021

In this third episode of Commuter Rail Conversations we’re talking about President-elect Joe Biden’s nomination of Pete Buttigieg ashis Secretary of Transportation. Much of the discussion around the Buttigieg nomination has focused on a perceived lack of experience in the sector. Reflecting on his own experience with the former Mayor of South Bend, Indiana, Commuter Rail Coalition vice chair and founding member Mike Noland joins us to share his thoughts on what Buttigieg can bring to the US DOT.

Noland has been President and General Manager of NICTD/The South Shore Line since October 2014, and before that spent 28 years in leadership roles at Chicago’s Metra. In our conversation about “Mayor Pete,” Noland paints a picture of an actively engaged mayor who very much understood how commuter rail service impacted the economic vitality of South Bend, the value of down-stream projects, and how reducing trip times on service between South Bend and Chicago-land would be an essential upgrade for those commuters who call South Bend home. And we’ll learn how Buttigieg’s incisive mind and practical experience can mean transformational leadership at the US DOT, not just for commuter railroads, but for all modes.

Joining us for this expanded episode of Commuter Rail Conversations is a special co-host, Melissa Boyles, of the industry podcast Moving Arizona. Please enjoy the conversation.

The Year of Rail: A Conversation with UNIFE and Alstom Dec 08, 2020

In this second episode of Commuter Rail Conversations we’re talking about changes ahead in The Year of Rail.

As the US prepares to inaugurate “Amtrak Joe” Biden, the EU has declared 2021 The Year of Rail. On both sides of the Atlantic, rail is now seen as a critical element of the economic recovery, and – as the greenest and safest mode - a necessary component to reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

In this episode we speak with UNIFE’s director general Philippe Citroen and CRC Board Member Scott Sherin of Alstom North America.

Philippe has led the European rail supply industry association since 2011. UNIFE’s members collaborate on common challenges facing the sector and are providing the innovative technology needed to meet the growing demand for sustainable transport. The chairmanship of UNIFE sits with Alstom for the next three years.

Scott, having worked with public agencies and freight railroads in the US, Canada, China and Europe in his 20-year career in transportation brings a world-wide perspective to our conversation.

Join us as we discuss the best ROI in transportation: rail.

Conversation with AECOM Nov 11, 2020

In this first episode of Commuter Rail Conversations, we’re talking about creating certainty out of chaos.

The US is now in the eighth month of the Covid-19 pandemic. Transit agencies are facing unprecedented challenges. Not only are they managing drastically reduced ridership and farebox revenues, they’re working on strategies to help protect staff and transit riders, while also trying to re-establish public confidence in mass transit services.

Post-Labor Day hopes of returning to ‘normal’ commuting patterns were quickly dashed.

Pinning recovery hopes on turning the calendar past 2020 are being threatened by an uptick in cases and the so-called “second wave.” Major employers have announced they are not planning to welcome a return to the workplace before summer of 2021. And some have already taken steps to reduce their real estate footprint, having decided they will no longer require 8 hours/5 days in the office where working from home is a reasonable alternative.

Looking ahead, commuter rail CEOs have very difficult decisions to make about where, when and how full operations will resume. AECOM maintains that with the right analytical tools, a return to service can be fueled by meaningful and actionable data, allowing commuter railroads to progress beyond our “new normal” to a better normal.

Join us as we speak with AECOM’s Executive Vice President of the Americas Tom Prendergast, Vice President of Digital Innovation Orla Pease, and Vice President of Ventures Veronica Siranosian. Tom Prendergast is a founding member of the Commuter Rail Coalition and former head of the NY MTA.

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