Women in Rail: Today's Human Resources

‘Women in Rail’: Top HR Execs, Recruiters to Tackle Career Development

The 2023 Railway Age / RT&S Women in Rail event, to be held Nov. 2 in Chicago, will feature a panel of human resources and recruitment executives discussing changes in freight and passenger rail recruitment,

Alstom’s Mark V cars “will make SkyTrain better and more convenient for our customers, with added amenities for people using mobility devices, strollers, and bicycles,” reported Kevin Quinn, CEO of TransLink, which on Aug. 22 unveiled the new cars (above) that have entered the testing phase at a Kingston, Ontario, facility. (TransLink Photograph)

Transit Briefs: TransLink, Amtrak, Brightline, LACMTA, NJT, WMATA

TransLink offers a preview of its new Alstom-built Mark V cars for the SkyTrain automated rapid transit system in metro Vancouver. Also, Amtrak has approved a stop in De Soto, Mo., for its Texas Eagle line; Brightline, Florida’s private-sector passenger railroad, selects Comply365’s mobile app for crews; Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (LACMTA) is renaming its West Santa Ana Branch Transit Corridor project; New Jersey Transit (NJT) ranks on Forbes’ America’s Best-in-State Employers 2023 list; and Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) reduces fare evasion by more than 70% with its new, higher faregates.

Receiving the Outstanding Public Transportation System award for 2023 truly validates NJ Transit’s remarkable turnaround since 2018,” New Jersey Transit President and CEO Kevin S. Corbett said in an Aug. 14 statement. “This honor from APTA and our peers is akin to winning the Super Bowl for a transit agency. It is not just a recognition of our successes over the past five years, it’s a testament to all the hard work, dedication and contributions of every one of the nearly 12,000 NJ Transit employees.”

APTA Announces 2023 Public Transportation Award, Hall of Fame Honorees (UPDATED Aug. 18)

The American Public Transportation Association (APTA) on Aug. 14 reported the 14 North American organizations and leaders earning its annual awards for “vision, leadership and commitment to public transportation,” plus the induction of six new members into the APTA Hall of Fame.

The New Jersey Herald on Aug. 8 reported that New Jersey Rep. Josh Gottheimer, U.S. Rep. Matt Cartwright (D-Pa.) and Amtrak officials visited the future Andover, N.J., station site, to which New Jersey Transit will run commuter rail service and from which Amtrak will operate intercity passenger rail service to Scranton, Pa.

Transit Briefs: Amtrak/NJT, NYMTA, TriMet, WMATA

Amtrak and New Jersey Transit’s (NJT) passenger rail service project between Andover, N.J., and Scranton, Pa., is advancing. Also, New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) launches an all-in-one mobile app for trip planning and service information; Tri-County Metropolitan Transportation District of Oregon (TriMet) leases a new office space; and the latest Washington Metrorail Safety Commission report highlights Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) missteps.

NJT Sets FY24 Ops, Capex Budgets

New Jersey Transit has set its Fiscal Year 2024 operating and capital funding budgets, which the agency said “continue investments in personnel, infrastructure and equipment to maintain the system in a state-of-good-repair

The initial operating segment of Skyline—the Honolulu (Hawaii) Rail Project—comprises 10.75 miles of guideway and nine stations from East Kapolei to Hālawa Aloha Stadium. It opens June 30. (Pictured: Hālawa Aloha Stadium Skyline Station, Courtesy of City and County of Honolulu DTS.)

Transit Briefs: Honolulu DTS, NJ Transit, SCVTA, TransLink

The City and County of Honolulu Department of Transportation Services (DTS) reveals the official name of its soon-to-open rail system. Also, New Jersey Transit selects a commissioning agent for its Distributed Generation Program; Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (SCVTA) develops a resource program to support small businesses during BART Silicon Valley Phase II Extension Project construction; and metro Vancouver’s TransLink adds another trainset, including a newly refurbished locomotive, to West Coast Express commuter rail service.

MBTA has issued a 29-page Service Delivery Report, with information on ridership, span of service, service coverage, accessibility, reliability, operated service, rider comfort and paratransit standards. (CRRC Image)

Transit Briefs: MBTA, NJ Transit, Rail Online, SEPTA

Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) releases second-annual Service Delivery Report. Also, New Jersey Transit launches the “Know Your ABCs” travel planning campaign; a new online ticketing platform is offering travelers access to U.S., Canada, U.K. and European rail bookings; and Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) boosts Regional Rail capacity after the I-95 collapse in Philadelphia and debuts a new website for the Office of Inspector General.

Amtrak on June 14 will hold hiring events in Washington, D.C., and Philadelphia, Pa., and online. More than 4,000 positions are available. (Amtrak Photograph)

Transit Briefs: Amtrak, BART, Maryland DOT, NYMTA, PANY/NJ

Amtrak is hosting in-person and virtual hiring events on June 14, and will temporarily suspend some Michigan-to-Chicago Wolverine service. Also, San Francisco Bay Area Rapid Transit District (BART) approves a two-year budget, including a fare hike; Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT) is seeking public input to help shape its long-range transportation plan; New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) will introduce blue lighting inside select subway stations; and the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey (PANY/NJ) issues a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) for the AirTrain Newark replacement program.

Exemplary Executives

RAILWAY AGE, MAY 2023 ISSUE: Railway Age’s 2023 honorees—selected by our subscribers—approach their roles with an entrepreneurial spirit, and a commitment to service, safety and sustainability.

NYMTA Transit Tech Lab Releases Results of Operational Efficiency, Human Capital Utilization Challenges

The New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority/Partnership for NYC Transit Tech Lab on May 9 reported the results of its Operational Efficiency and Human Capital Utilization challenges, in which 15 companies have been selected to collaborate with regional transit agencies and test technologies, such as AI (artificial intelligence), LiDAR and edge computing, to “mitigate service disruptions, automate operations and combat workforce shortages.”

LOAD MORE