Keolis' president/CEO to retire
Under Steve Townsend's leadership, Keolis has successfully expanded into the commuter rail and transit markets in the U.S., winning contracts to operate the Virginia Railway Express and the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority commuter rail system.


Keolis America’s President/CEO Steve Townsend is retiring after a 43-year career spanning multiple industries including oil and gas, environmental services, facilities management and transportation.
Townsend joined Keolis in his current role in 2007. Under his leadership, Keolis has successfully expanded into the commuter rail and transit markets in the U.S., winning contracts to operate the Virginia Railway Express and the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority commuter rail system.
He also oversaw the acquisition of Tectrans Inc., now Keolis Transit America.
“It has been a privilege and an honor for me to have been a part of the development of Keolis in North America,” said Townsend. “I have the utmost faith in Eric Asselin and the North American team in their ability to continue Keolis’ growth, proving that there is a need for a company to provide the highest standards in customer service for passenger transportation in the U.S.”
More Management

LA Metro Ridership Continues Growth as Rail Gains Accelerate
New rail connections and major events help drive continued ridership gains, with Metro recording its eighth consecutive month of year-over-year rail growth.
Read More →
TransDASH Summit Focuses on Measuring What Matters in Transit
Transit agencies unveil a national performance platform designed to benchmark customer experience, safety, community value, and other outcomes.
Read More →
Jacksonville’s NAVI Project Charts a New Course for Autonomous Public Transportation
Through its NAVI program, JTA is showing how autonomous vehicles, intelligent infrastructure, and coordinated operations can work together to deliver everyday public transportation.
Read More →
FRA Announces $5.3B in Rail Investments, Including $2B for Amtrak
Funding will support grade-crossing improvements, infrastructure upgrades, and new Amtrak equipment in 23 states.
Read More →
Finding the ‘Happy Medium’: Optimizing Maintenance Without Sacrificing Reliability
The key to maintenance optimization isn’t doing less work—it’s doing the right work at the right time on the right assets.
Read More →
People Movement: MARTA Drops Interim Tag on GM/CEO Hunt and More
In this edition, METRO covers recent appointments and announcements at the FMCSA, HDR, SilverRide, and more, showcasing the individuals helping to shape the future of transportation.
Read More →
VIA Metropolitan Transit Reports 2 Million More Passenger Trips as Better Bus Plan Gains Momentum
San Antonio's transit agency said accelerated service improvements are driving ridership growth, offering another example of how increased frequency and workforce investments can translate into stronger transit performance.
Read More →
ABAF Study Reveals Growing Insurance Crisis for Motorcoach Operators
Preliminary findings show 98% of operators faced premium increases over the past five years, while shrinking insurer participation is putting added pressure on businesses and customers.
Read More →
PSTA Modernizes Workforce Management with Digital Bidding System
The award-winning Workforce Transit Modernization project replaced paper bidding with a transparent digital platform, cutting administrative effort while improving access for operators.
Read More →
Chicago to Host Public Transportation's Biggest Gathering at APTA TRANSform & EXPO 2026
North America’s largest public transportation gathering returns to Chicago, connecting transit decision-makers with the technologies, ideas, and partnerships driving the industry forward.
Read More →