URS taps Simonetta to head HSR practice
He will be based in URS' Columbus, Ohio, office and direct its nationwide high-speed rail transit practice.
URS Corp. named Richard Simonetta as its new vice president and national director of high-speed rail.
The company is currently working on several high-speed rail efforts, including providing design services for two segments of California's high-speed rail program. He will be based in URS' Columbus, Ohio, office and direct its nationwide high-speed rail transit practice.
With more than 38 years of experience in all facets of the industry, from small- and medium-sized bus systems to large multi-modal transit agencies, Simonetta is a transit industry veteran. He most recently served as CEO of Valley Metro Rail Inc. in Phoenix, where he was responsible for the design, construction and start-up of the region's $1.4 billion initial 20-mile LRT line that was completed on-time and on-budget in 2008.
Simonetta also previously served as the CEO of the Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA) - the 7th largest transit system in the U.S. - where he led the efforts to prepare the agency for the demands of the 1996 summer Olympics, including moving more than 25 million passengers during a 17-day period on the MARTA system.
More Rail
New York MTA Leverages Zoning Program to Advance Station Accessibility
Accessibility enhancements at Nevins St Station will be financed through a development agreement tied to the MTA's Zoning for Accessibility initiative.
Read More →
Virginia's $28.5B Transportation Plan Targets Transit and Rail
Approved by the Commonwealth Transportation Board, the program supports ongoing infrastructure projects while providing new investments in transit, state of good repair and transportation alternatives.
Read More →
DOT: Brightline Corridor Incidents Fall 30% Following Federal Safety Upgrades
Safety improvements funded through a $25 million federal investment are credited with reducing trespassing and train-vehicle collisions along the Brightline Florida corridor.
Read More →
D Line Expansion Fuels Growth Across LA Metro's Rail System
Weekend rail ridership was especially strong, soaring 18% as riders embraced expanded access to jobs, entertainment, dining, and cultural destinations, said the agency. Total system ridership for May, including bus and rail, was 26,966,657.
Read More →
Southern California's Metrolink Debuts Contactless Fare Payment Pilot
Customers traveling between Redlands and Los Angeles can now tap their preferred payment method, including a credit or debit card, mobile wallet, or wearable device, at station validators before boarding and again while exiting.
Read More →
California's BART Approves FY27 Budget While Maintaining Service Levels
The budget covers July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2027, a period when pandemic emergency funds run out, the District faces a structural deficit of $375 million, and a regional transit funding measure may appear on the November ballot.
Read More →
Penn Station Transformation Advances with Design Unveiling
The historic redesign will transform the busiest transit hub in the Western Hemisphere from the tracks to the street level, creating a more efficient, cleaner, and functional experience for more than 600,000 daily commuters and millions of visitors.
Read More →
Second Avenue Subway Phase 2 Advances into Major Construction Stage
New York Governor Kathy Hochul joined leadership from the MTA, elected officials, and Harlem community leaders to break ground on the major construction stage of the transformative Second Avenue Subway Phase 2 project.
Read More →
The Invisible Infrastructure of Passenger Flow
What a seat reservation system on Austria’s Railjet trains reveals about the future of rider experience, and why U.S. agencies should pay attention.
Read More →
Caltrain Board Approves FY27 Budget, Endorses Efficiency Measures
The move ensures Caltrain service will continue operating as usual in the near term, but long-term financial challenges remain for the rail agency absent a new revenue source.
Read More →