Rail supplier news from Alstom, Ballard, Koppers and Keen (Dec. 10)

Alstom was awarded a $515 million contract by the Southern California Rail Authority (Metrolink) to operate and maintain the regional passenger-rail system, with an option to extend the contract for three years. Alstom and Metrolink have an existing partnership that dates back 30 years, when Alstom first began providing maintenance services to Metrolink’s fleet. In addition to maintenance services, Alstom will also provide all operations such as train crewing and customer service, Alstom officials said in a press release.

Ballard Power Systems has signed a multiyear agreement with Stadler Rail to supply 8 megawatts of FCmove®-HD+ fuel cell engines to power Stadler’s FLIRT H2 zero-emission trains, which be used by the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans). Caltrans already has purchased 10 of the FLIRT H2 trains, with the option to purchase an additional 19 trains. The agreement builds on collaboration between Ballard and Stadler to integrate Ballard fuel cell engines into the FLIRT H2 trains, which became the first hydrogen fuel cell powered passenger trains to be compliant with Federal Railroad Administration standards, according to a Ballard press release.

Koppers Holdings Inc. announced the retirement of two senior leaders: Leslie Hyde, senior vice president and chief sustainability officer, will retire March 31, 2025; and Joseph Dowd, global vice president–zero harm, will retire Feb. 28, 2025. Hyde, who has been with Koppers for 25 years, held roles encompassing legal, environmental, risk management, safety and health, product stewardship, and strategic planning. She became the company's first chief sustainability officer. Dowd joined Koppers in 2012 as vice president–North American carbon materials and chemicals. In 2016, he became vice president–global safety, health, environmental and process excellence; in 2020, he was named to his current role. Dowd’s leadership guided Koppers to a change in safety procedures and culture with several years of meeting all-time best safety performance records, Koppers officials said in a press release.

Keen Independent Research has been tapped by the San Diego Metropolitan Transit System (MTS) to help the agency develop an equity statement and policy. The research firm will assess MTS’ current service delivery, as well as collect input from riders, local residents and employees. Public input will be a critical component to the formation of the agency’s equity policy, Keen Independent officials said in a press release. The research firm is joined by local firms SVPR Communications and Yen Tu Consulting to collect input from the community and MTS staff. Results are scheduled for the end of 2025.