Bells & Whistles—Episode 16
What were the top news stories RT&S was following this week? Check out our latest Bells & Whistles.
Commuter/Regional
U.S. DOT announces availability of $24 million to restore, enhance intercity passenger rail
The U.S. DOT’s Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) announced on Nov. 6 the availability of $24 million in grant funding to initiate, restore, or enhance intercity passenger rail service around the country.
Probable victory of Initiative 976 means financial pain for the state of Washington’s Sound Transit
The first round of votes in the state of Washington involving Initiative 976 does not look promising and has the Sound Transit bracing for the worst.
CRRC’s “Chief Obligation is to the Chinese State”: Report
“CRRC AND BEIJING’S DASH FOR GLOBAL ROLLING STOCK DOMINANCE,” a report prepared by Radarlock, which describes itself as “a research organization that uses data-driven analysis to understand techno-economic dynamics in world affairs,”
MBTA approves massive electrification project that will improve regional rail system
The feelings were electric. The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority’s (MBTA) Fiscal and Management Control Board used one unanimous vote to clear the way for the electrification of the state’s commuter rail system.
MBTA considering commuter rail upgrades
The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) is currently reviewing a variety of options around upgrading their commuter rail system. Specifically, the Authority is considering six options, with price tags of $1.7 billion
FRA reports says a signal malfunction caused Memorial Day weekend crash on the Long Island Rail Road
The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) says a Memorial Day weekend collision involving two Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) trains was “a signal-caused accident.”
NTSB preliminary report: Trains given permission to be on same track prior to collision
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has released its preliminary report on an accident involving a two-car Sacramento Regional Transit passenger train and a one-car RT maintenance train on Aug. 22. The
New Jersey commuters still waiting for Bergen light rail line a decade later
Talk is not action. For the last decade, residents in Bergen County, N.J., have been told a light rail was coming. Today they are still waiting.
Despite slow Hurricane Sandy recovery efforts on the Long Island Rail Road, MTA “proud” of what has been done
Hurricane Sandy hammered the East Coast in 2012, and the Long Island Rail Road is still looking defeated.
Sound Transit scratches large tunnel projects, elevated track
Making difficult decisions is what fiscal responsibility is all about. Washington State’s Sound Transit wants to take full responsibility, and on Oct. 24 the board ditched plans for tunnels to Ballard ($450
Sound Transit digs into Redmond Link extension
The state of Washington’s Sound Transit continues to hold its momentum. Officials cut the ribbon on a $1.53 billion Redmond Link light rail extension in Redmond, Wash., on Oct. 23.
New York MTA leans towards sticking with contractor despite PTC delays
Fair is never a good word when it applies to chances. But that is what a consultant is saying regarding the installation of Positive Train Control (PTC) on the Metropolitan Transportation Authority’s
Reliability is the only positive for Miami-Dade Transit since 2017
Miami-Dade Transit has been much more reliable the last couple of years, at least in terms of the fleet that is out there.
Ridership, trips continue to rise for New York’s MTA
First New York City President Andy Byford was resigning, but now he is promoting.
Speeding up Connecticut’s Metro-North Railroad will require new tracks, new funding mechanism
It might take 10 years, but Connecticut Gov. Ned Lamont wants to put more speed into the Metro-North Railroad.
APTA announces 2019-2020 Executive Committee
The American Public Transportation Association (APTA) elected its 2019-2020 Executive Committee during its TRANSform Conference in New York.
Bells & Whistles—Episode 12
What were the top news stories RT&S was following the week ending Oct. 11. Watch the latest Bells & Whistles by clicking here. For the latest news, go to www.rtands.com.
Two Washington Metro (WMATA) trains collide after operator fails to heed a stop order
The Washington Post reports that a collision of two WMATA trains occurred on Monday, October 7 at 12:54 a.m. The collision happened outside the Farragut West station. Neither train had passengers aboard.
Metra to invest heavily in rail yards, rail bridges over the next year
Metra, a passenger rail service that connects the Chicago suburbs to the city of Chicago, announced a record-breaking capital investment over the next five years. The financial boost comes with no increase