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.

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.

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.

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.

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!

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.

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.

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.