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 a ..read more

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 direc ..read more

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 ..read more

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 Caltrains 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 ..read more

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 ..read more

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 ..read more

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 c ..read more

In this third episode of Commuter Rail Conversations we’re talking about President-elect Joe Biden’s nomination of Pete Buttigieg as his 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 Octo ..read more

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 industr ..read more

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 calenda ..read more