Former TTC Chair and Toronto City Councillor to advance a National Framework for Passenger Rail

TORONTO, Sept. 16, 2026 /CNW/ -- TRACCS Transit and Rail (TRACCS) today announced the appointment of Karen Stintz as Managing Director. In the role, Stintz will advance the association's mandate to improve the safety, efficiency and reliability of passenger rail delivery across Canada.

A former Toronto city councillor and Chair of the Toronto Transit Commission, Stintz brings extensive experience in transit governance, public policy and non-profit leadership. She is also the author of the newly released Beyond Good Enough, a book exploring transit, governance and public accountability – themes central to the future of Canadian cities. The appointment builds on her work as TRACCS's Special Advisor on Transit and Rail Policy.

"Karen understands how transit policy and investment decisions affect the people who build, operate and rely on our rail systems," said Paul Murphy, Vice-President and Co-Founder of TRACCS. "Her leadership will help bring government and industry together to address persistent delivery challenges and achieve better value for Canadians."

As Managing Director, Stintz will work with TRACCS members, governments, transit agencies and industry partners to advance a National Framework for Passenger Rail. The framework targets the long-standing issues that drive up project costs, extend timelines and affect passenger service through three priorities: strengthening standards, building knowledge and competency in the next generation of Canadian rail professionals, and establishing a supply chain assurance program to improve public procurement.

Together, these priorities will support nationally consistent competency and training standards, broader access to rail education and skills development, and procurement practices that verify supplier qualifications and capabilities. The goal is to build Canadian capacity, reduce risk and improve certainty across the planning, construction, operation and maintenance of passenger rail systems.

The appointment comes as TRACCS builds momentum, broadening its reach and advancing its national mandate. Growing public recognition of passenger rail's importance to Canada's economy and everyday life is opening new opportunities to collaborate on the long-standing challenges affecting project delivery and service reliability.

"Passengers need reliable service, taxpayers expect value and industry needs a consistent approach to delivering projects," said Stintz. "TRACCS has a clear mandate to help meet those expectations. My priority is to turn that mandate into practical action with our members and partners, strengthening the standards, skills and procurement practices Canada needs to deliver safe, reliable passenger rail."

About TRACCS

TRACCS is a national non-profit industry association representing contractors, maintainers, operators and partners across Canada's transit and passenger rail sector. It promotes consistent standards, workforce development, best practices and collaboration to improve safety, control costs and strengthen project delivery.

SOURCE TRACCS Transit and Rail

Media contact: Mark Salsberg, Chairman and Interim CEO, TRACCS, [email protected], [phone]