Rail supplier news from Pacer, Alstom, Innovations in Transportation, Hub Group, Keolis and Michael Baker (March 28)

Pacer International Inc. announced yesterday that its shareholders approved the acquisition of Pacer by XPO Logistics Inc. Shareholders today also voted to approve a non-binding proposal regarding certain merger-related executive compensation arrangements. Pacer and XPO expect to complete the merger on March 31.

Alstom’s new Coradia Meridian regional train was delivered this week to Trenitalia at the Termini station in Rome. Renamed “Jazz” by the Italian railways, the train is one of the 70 Alstom Coradia Meridian trains ordered by FS Italian Group in November 2012. Alstom also announced that its metro trainsets entered commercial service on March 28 in Hungary on Budapest’s new underground line 4, the first automated metro line in Central-Eastern Europe. Fifteen new Metropolis trainsets were put into operation on a new line connecting two of the city’s key railway junctions, the Kelenföld Intermodal Station of Buda with the Eastern Railway Station of Pest. The trainsets are part of 37 Metropolis units ordered for lines 2 and 4.

The Tri-County Metropolitan Transportation District of Oregon (TriMet) recently awarded a contract to Innovations in Transportation Inc. to begin designing equipment for an electronic fare system. The $14.3 million base contract will cover e-fare equipment and inspection devices, customer web portals and 1.3 million smart cards, according to a TriMet press release.

Hub Group Inc. recently was recognized by Walmart Transportation as the 2013 Intermodal Carrier of the Year. The retailer honored the intermodal services provider for its outstanding service, effective communication and superior transportation solutions, according to a Hub Group press release. Hub Group is one of 11 trucking and transportation providers that Walmart Transportation recognized as carriers of the year. Walmart awards the designation each year to companies that provide logistical support to the retailer's stores, Sam's Club locations and distribution facilities.

Keolis Commuter Services named Rita Hardiman director of equal employment opportunity, diversity and disadvantage enterprise programs for the company's new commuter-rail contract with the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority. The contract begins July 1. A diversity and multicultural organization professional, Hardiman has more than 25 years of experience in the private and public sectors, including stints with CIGNA, Boston Museum of Science, DuPont and Microsoft Corp.

CSX Transportation's J&L tunnel modification project in Pittsburgh has been honored with several professional industry awards. The work was led by the design-build team of Michael Baker Jr. Inc. and Mascaro Construction Co. L.P. The honors include Engineering Society of Western Pennsylvania–Project of the Year; Pennsylvania Society of Professional Engineers's Beaver County Chapter–Project of the Year; American Council of Engineering Companies/PA Diamond Award–Category C Structural Systems; and Master Builders Association of Western Pennsylvania–Project of the Year, Design/Build Category.