First Transit has received the International Standards Organization (ISO) 9001:2015 Quality Management System (QMS) certification for its first rail operation in North America. First Transit received the ISO certification for the operation and maintenance of the Denton County Transportation Authority (DCTA) A-train commuter rail system the company began operating in October 2016.
The ISO 9001:2015 addresses various aspects of quality management and contains ISO's best-known standards. The certification provides guidance and tools for companies and organizations that want to ensure that their products and services consistently meet customers' requirements and that quality is consistently delivered.
"This ISO certification for the DCTA rail operation is a testament to the hard work our team takes every day to ensure customer and passenger satisfaction," said Brad Thomas, president of First Transit. "ISO certification reflects our leadership to deliver consistent quality to our rail partner."
Ad Loading...
To receive ISO 9001:2015 certification, First Transit was required to pass a challenging evaluation of its operation and maintenance practices conducted by an independent auditor. The ISO 9001:2015 initiative was led and managed by First Transit's Denton and regional management teams. This certification positions both First Transit and DCTA as industry leaders in the commitment to quality management and operations that will help improve the passenger experience.
"This certification is a great achievement for First Transit and will benefit DCTA by allowing us to make sound decisions on how to best use our funds to purchase rail equipment, potentially expand our rail service, and have the highest level of quality and efficiency to help maintain and improve our operations," said Jim Cline, DCTA president.
ISO is an independent, non-governmental organization based in Geneva, Switzerland with a membership of 163 national standards bodies. Their standards ensure that products and services are safe, reliable and of good quality. ISO reviews its standards every five years to remain current in an ever-changing business environment.
Operation Lifesaver awarded $220,200 in grants to 12 states to support rail safety campaigns focused on grade crossing awareness and trespass prevention.
The survey showed that commute trips still make up the majority of ridership, with most riders boarding 2 to 3 days a week, reflecting hybrid work schedules. Two-thirds of Caltrain riders have access to a car, while 37% of Caltrain riders are considered low-income.
Advances in data and analytics are giving transit agencies new opportunities to refine maintenance practices, improve efficiency and make more informed decisions about asset performance.
In this Consultant Roundtable, Carmen C. Cham shares insights on how agencies can create spaces that are intuitive, connected and built for long-term impact.
The Red Line Extension Project will provide the Far South Side of Chicago with rapid rail transit for the first time by extending the Red Line by 5.5 miles from 95th Street to 130th Street, including the construction of four new Red Line stations at 103rd, 111th, Michigan, and 130th streets.
The Siemens CBTC System, Trainguard MT, in compliance with New York Subway Interoperability Interface Specifications, enables trains to run as close as 90 seconds apart, using next-generation signaling and continuous communication to keep operations moving seamlessly.
While recognizing regional economic constraints and continuing to improve service, the budget increases the jurisdictional subsidy to less than 1.8%, significantly below the inflation rate and the 3% regional target, said agency officials.
With more than 59,400,000 boardings since the service’s debut, the A Line’s utilization surpassed that of all other RTD rail services in 2025, the agency reported.
The plan outlines funding for transit operations, capital projects, and freight and passenger rail initiatives, as state officials seek public input on priorities shaping mobility and infrastructure across the Commonwealth.
