10 June 2026 – New York City – Rail Capacity Conference / CILT Global Rail Group and CILT North America Event

Date/Time
Date(s) - 10 June 2026
9:30 am EDT - 4:00 pm EDT

Location
666 3rd Avenue

Exploring rail capacity across the New York region

This one-day conference brings together senior leaders and experts from across the rail sector to examine one of the industry’s most pressing challenges: capacity. Drawing on perspectives from terminals, commuter and subway services, and freight operations, our speakers will share experience and insight drawn from the New York region’s complex and vital rail network.

Whether you work in operations, policy, planning or engineering, this is a rare opportunity to hear from leading voices across the sector, connect with fellow professionals, and contribute to a conversation that is shaping the future of rail — here in New York and around the world.

Opportunity to meet and network with fellow rail professionals in the city.

Location: 666 3rd Avenue, Oculus Room (6th Floor), New York 10017 (5-minute walk from Grand Central Station)

Registration: CILT Members: No charge | Non-Members: $30.00

**** Refreshments provided ****

Capacity is limited – register now to avoid disappointment.

About the speakers:

Paul Grether, Chief, MTA Grand Central Madison Operating Company (GCMOC)

Paul is Chief of the MTA Grand Central Madison Operating Company, a new agency of the MTA responsible for the assets of the GCM territory. This includes the new station, tunnel system and Mid-Day Storage Yard. He began his career with GCMOC in 2022 as SVP / General Manager – Facilities responsible for managing the facilities of Grand Central Madison territory, including the station, tunnel system and Mid-Day Storage Yard. This included operations and maintenance of assets not delegated to Long Island Rail Road.

In 2012, Paul was Rail Services Manager responsible for overseeing the adoption and implementation of the Cincinnati Streetcar Operating Agreement between Metro and the city of Cincinnati and in 2017 he became Vice President of Transit Operations for the company and was responsible for fixed route Bus Operations (2 divisions), Radio Control Center, Street Supervision and Service Planning.

Previously, he worked for the Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA), where he served as manager of streetcar development and was involved in stakeholder coordination between the city of Atlanta and the Atlanta Downtown Improvement District. He has experience working with Federal Transit Administration grant programs and regulations, rail transit operations and program project management.

Mr. Grether serves as the Chair of the American Public Transportation Association (APTA) Streetcar Subcommittee. He is also a graduate of the Leadership APTA class of 2011, a development program for leaders in the transit industry, and was selected as a “Top 40 Under 40” by Mass Transit Magazine in 2013.

He received his bachelor’s degree in Management and Master’s degree in City and Regional Planning (Transportation Specialization with heavy emphasis on civil engineering) from the Georgia Institute of Technology.

James Bonner, President, New York, Susquehanna and Western Railway Corporation (NYSW)

James Bonner began his career as a track laborer 28 years ago, laying the foundation for a distinguished career in rail. Now, as President of The New York, Susquehanna and Western Railway, he oversees regional freight operations across a 400-mile network spanning New York, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey, ensuring the safe and affordable movement of goods and connectivity with Class I railroads in the Northeast.

With experience spanning engineering, dispatching, customer service, marketing, and operations, James has cultivated a leadership style rooted in safety, exceptional service, and employee growth. He remains a passionate advocate for the diverse career opportunities within—and adjacent to—the rail freight industry.

Uday Schultz, Manager, Performance Analysis, New York City Transit Department of Subways

Uday Schultz is a Manager with the Performance Analysis Unit in New York City Transit’s Department of Subways. Uday’s work focuses on leveraging data to improve the reliability and effectiveness of transit service. Over the last two years, he has led the development of innovative service analytics that turn high-level metrics into detailed and actionable findings for planning, scheduling, and operations teams. Uday holds an A.B. in History from Harvard College (2023) and previously worked on regional transit and freight planning in Toronto and Boston.

Ian Martin, Manager, Rail Network Planning, New York City Transit Department of Subways 

Ian Martin is a Manager with the Rail Network Planning Unit in New York City Transit’s Department of Operations Planning. Over his six years with the MTA, he has worked to further integrate data into the subway service planning process, with a recent focus on how timetables can be structured to improve reliability. He has also supported the planning of multiple long-term service changes, the advancement of NYCT’s rail simulation capabilities, and cross-agency coordination on long-range infrastructure and fleet planning. Ian holds a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and master’s degrees in Transportation Engineering and City and Regional Planning from the University of California, Berkeley.

Chris Jackson, President, Tracsis Rail Technology Solutions

As President of Tracsis Rail Technology Solutions, Chris leads the company’s mission to advance the rail industry through intelligent software, data-driven insights, and collaborative innovation. With over a decade of experience spanning rail technology, business management, and strategic operations, he is focused on helping operators modernize infrastructure, optimize performance, and improve safety. He is deeply committed to driving product innovation, and fostering operational excellence—principles that continue to guide Tracsis’ growth across North America.

About the moderator:

Andrew Young FCILT, Chair – CILT Global Rail Group

Andrew is Chair for the CILT Global Rail Group, CILT International Vice President for the Americas, member of the North America Board and was Chair of CILTNA’s United States Chapter from 2019 to 2025. He has over 30 years’ experience in transportation spanning passenger and freight railways, airlines, airports, public transit and multi-modal freight logistics. He has worked in the UK, North America and Latin America.

Event Sponsors

For sponsorship opportunities please email Andrew Young at: andrew.young@ciltinternational.org

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