Rail keeps transit on track around the world
From Boston to Berlin, Bangkok to Brussels, rail connections are essential
It’s no secret we’re big fans of rail at Transit Unplugged. From our award-winning Rocky Mountaineer episode to the ÖBB Nightjet Paul recently rode to Vienna, we love to showcase rail on the program.
On the podcast this week we have Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA or The T) COO Ryan Coholan talking about the improvement the MBTA has made to their rail network by getting rid of almost all of the speed restrictions. On the show Ryan reminds us of the responsibility we have to move people. That’s our job to move people, and we can’t forget that a lot of those people absolutely rely on transit in their daily lives. When there are speed restrictions or disruptions, real people are affected. Ryan and Paul talk about how they’ve balanced repair/upgrade work with keeping people moving.
But that’s not all to the story.
Ryan was in charge of the Rail Division at MBTA for a decade before becoming COO, but before that Ryan was a train engineer. In fact Ryan still maintains his Locomotive Engineer’s License and literally drives his commuter train into work. Talk about staying in touch with your job.
Ryan is rightfully proud of his commitment to his roots in rail and more proud of the tremendous work it’s taken to repair tracks across the system to get the T on track.
But he’s not stopping there. Ryan has plans to pilot battery-electric trains on one of his key commuter routes. But, you can’t just plug a train in like a bus, and running overhead wires along the entire route isn’t practical.
So what’s the solution? Listen and find out.
Paul kicked off the most recent episode of Transit Unplugged TV with a ride on the ÖBB Nightjet train from Hamburg to Vienna. Paul gives us a little tour of his cabin and some of the really cool amenities like a shower, hidden tables, and touchscreen lighting controls. Looks like a pretty fun way to travel.
Paul talks with the people behind the ÖBB Nightjet and learned about its operations and this uniquely designed train.
Don’t forget Transit Unplugged Behind The Scenes: Vienna!
If you enjoyed the episode from Hamburg and Vienna, you’ll love the “director’s cut” with complete interviews from the transit leaders featured in the show. And there’s even more about the ÖBB Nightjet and rail in Austria.
Don’t miss it.
You’ll hear uncut interviews with:
-Christoph Hinterleitner, ÖBB Passenger Transport
-Roland Hellstern, ÖBB Operations Head of Traffic and Crisis Management
-Kurt Bauer, ÖBB Head of Long Distance Services & New Rail Business
-Sarah Fessl, ÖBB NightJet Customer Experience
-Alexandra Reinagl, CEO Wiener Linien
-Deborah Giehrl, Wiener Linien Infrastructure Communication
-Andrea Zefferer, Wiener Linien Press Officer
-Michael Mayer, ÖBB Technical Services
Coming up next week on Transit Unplugged: How TNCs are changing paratransit
Transportation Network Companies (TNCs) have been playing a huge role in the new era of transit. They’re powering on-demand transit, expanding the reach of transit systems, and they are revolutionizing paratransit.
Paratransit is, far and away, the most expensive service any transit agency can offer. And as the population ages, we’re going to need more and more access to paratransit. So how is that going to work?
TNCs let agencies be more flexible and adjust to spikes in demand without degrading the service or needing to expand their own operator pool. TNCs allow for on-demand, same-day travel and fill in when paratransit schedules get upended by delays. TNCs let agencies offer more (and better) paratransit service within their existing budgets.
All good things we think.
This is the second episode sponsored by Uber Transit and you’ll hear from three of the leaders in the paratransit space:
♿ Andre Colaiace, Access Services LA
♿ Chris Pangilinan, NY MTA
♿ Eileen Collins Turvey, TriMet (Portland, OR)
They talk with Paul about how they have used TNCs to enhance, improve, and expand paratransit at their agencies.
This episode is sponsored by Uber Transit and their Transit Horizons 2.0 paper. Check it out at uber.com/transithorizons.
Get ready to party from LA to Vegas on Brightline West
Ferry systems across the U.S. are about to get an upgrade. The Federal Transit Administration has awarded $300 million in grants to modernize ferry systems across 14 states. Source: FTA
Vancouver’s TransLink is one step closer to achieving its net zero emissions goals by converting the West Coast Express commuter rail to renewable diesel. This fuel comes from organic waste, such as cooking and vegetable oils. Source: TransLink
We’re learning more about the high speed rail train that Brightline West will operate on its route between Las Vegas and the greater Los Angeles area. New renderings show the pet friendly train will also include a party car where guests can kick back and drink some champagne. Source: Brightline West
And Tech Mobility Conference MOVE America took place this week in Austin, Texas. Transit Unplugged’s Paul Comfort gave several talks including the five traits of a future transit leader. Source: MOVE America
