Richard Bruss

Richard Bruss

As a retired Electrical Engineer with both Amtrak and Pullman Standard, Richard brings to RPA the over 42 years of experience and knowledge of passenger railroading, from specifying, designing, manufacturing, testing, introducing to service various types of cars and locomotives.

“I have a passion for all aspects of passenger railroading. I am one of few individuals on the Board who come from the industry and can thus have a unique perspective. Since so much of my life has revolved around passenger railroads, I want to share my knowledge to enhance the passenger rail experience and opportunities and help the RPA make informed choices in advocating for a better passenger rail fleet.”

Richard’s experience with rolling stock provides RPA with considerable knowledge regarding:

• Fleet Plan: what types of vehicles should comprise the fleet, and how do we get from where we are now to where we want to be through our advocacy
• Vehicle characteristics and amenities
• Car system upgrades
• Operations
• Procurement processes

Richard has been an RPA member since the 1970s, a member of the RPA Council and one term on the Board. He has been a regular participant in RPA annual Day on the Hill in Washington, DC since 2017 and has authored numerous letters to Members of Congress about passenger rail issues.

He has also been very active with the American Public Transit Association.

ORGANIZATIONAL AFFILIATIONS:

• IEEE (institute of Electrical, Electronic Engineers
• ASHRAE (American Society of Heating, Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Engineers)
• APTA (American Public Transportation Association)
• PRIIA (Federal Regulations governing state corridors)

SIGNIFICANT LIFE ACHIEVEMENTS

• BSEE electrical engineering, 1973 University of Wisconsin
• PE License in engineering
• Electrical Engineer-Field Service Pullman Standard 1973-1976
• Amtrak electrical engineering, spec writing, project engineering and project management 1976-2015