Rail supplier news from Uber, HNTB, Michael Baker, Greystone and Keolis (Feb. 1)

Uber has partnered with the Regional Transportation District (RTD) of Denver to incorporate transit routes into the Uber app. RTD riders will be the first worldwide to view and consider transit routes presented within the app, Uber and RTD officials said in a press release. Trip planning is the first of two transit-related features being added to the app. Soon, RTD riders will be able to use it to purchase and use tickets. "Our customers want their trips to be as seamless as possible, and a collaboration like this one allows them to plan for travel from end to end, including additional first-mile and last-mile options," said RTD Chief Executive Officer and General Manager Dave Genova.

HNTB Corp. announced it completed the final design and engineering phase for the Orange County Transportation Authority's Laguna Niguel-San Juan Capistrano passing siding. The project calls for adding 1.8 miles of siding track between Metrolink's Laguna Niguel/Mission Viejo Station and Trabuco Creek in San Juan Capistrano, California. The siding will reduce delays, increase safety and provide more reliable rail service on the Los Angeles-San Diego San Louis Obispo rail corridor, HNTB officials said in a press release. Construction is expected to begin in the first quarter take up to two years to complete. HNTB prepared the final design for the siding, roadway improvements and associated structures.

Michael Baker International has named Thomas Post area executive for its northern California offices and Thomas Tracy office manager in Rancho Cordova, California. Post most recently was director of engineering for the California High Speed Rail Authority (CHSRA), where he managed a team of 65 bridge and civil design engineers. He previously was the northern California principal for Jacobs, northern California manager for HNTB Corp., an office manager and lead project manager for T.Y. Lin International, and a principal bridge engineer for the California Department of Transportation. Tracy most recently was project manager for the Capital SouthEast Connector Joint Powers Authority. He previously served as transportation department manager for URS Corp., regional manager for the the CHSRA and a regional office manager for Parsons Brinckerhoff.

Greystone Management Solutions announced its partnership with New Jersey Transit is helping the agency develop non-farebox revenue. NJ Transit has reported an additional $800,000 in leasing revenue for fiscal-year 2018 and expects to grow leasing revenue to $8.5 million in FY2019, said officials at Greystone — which serves as a real estate advisor to large transit authorities — in a press release. The additional revenue is a result of Greystone's and the agency's efforts to secure two new retailers at Newark Penn Station last year, they said. For example, a 10-year agreement with Starbucks will provide NJ Transit more than $1.6 million in non-farebox rent revenue in addition to about $750,000 in leasehold improvements, according to Greystone.

Keolis Commuter Services, the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) and Golden Opportunities for Independence (GOFI) have teamed up to provide training for service dogs that will support people living with disabilities. The MBTA aims to provide a safe and reliable transportation option for people with mobility issues and their service dogs, and the partnership is a step toward further improving accessibility, Keolis officials said in a press release. GOFI is using commuter rail to help socialize their service dogs by exposing them to various sights, sounds and smells. Rail travel, other passengers and tactile surfaces are important for the dogs' socialization and environmental understanding, Keolis officials said.