Rail Group On Air: Siemens North America President/CEO Marc Buncher

Siemens Mobility North America President and CEO Marc Buncher talks with Railway Age Editor-in-Chief William C. Vantuono about the 2022 North American rail market.

U.S. DOT says $1.5 billion in RAISE Grants are available

The U.S. Department of Transportation has published a Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) for $1.5 billion in grant funding through the Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity (RAISE) discretionary grant program.

Janno Lieber Confirmed as 15th Chair of the MTA

The New York State Senate confirmed Janno Lieber as the Chair and CEO of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) following his nomination on Jan. 8 by Governor Kathy Hochul.

NTSB continues to press worker safety message

The National Transportation Safety Board has communicated significant concern about railroad worker safety.

Burbank-to-L.A. high-speed rail route reaches critical milestone

The California High-Speed Rail Authority Board of Directors have unanimously approved the Final Environmental Impact Report/Environmental Impact Statement (EIR/EIS) for the approximately 14-mile Burbank-to-Los Angeles project section.

FRA

Supreme Court blocks Biden administration’s COVID-19 vaccination and testing mandate

While this is not a typical RT&S story, we want to ensure that our readers are aware of the decision of the U.S. Supreme Court to block the Biden administration’s mandate that large employers (i.e., those employing more than 100 people) must require their employees to be vaccinated against COVID-19.

Scranton-to-NYC passenger rail route looks like it could be revived

The momentum for the return of a Scranton (Pa.)-to-New York City rail route continues to build.

Brightline to begin crew training and qualification runs between West Palm Beach and Cocoa

Brightline is beginning the new year with a critical step toward the completion of its intercity rail system connecting Miami and Orlando.

Metrolink is newest Commuter Rail Coalition member

For those not familiar with the Commuter Rail Coalition (CRC), it is an association of commuter rail agencies, operators, and other interested parties acting together to engage and eductate stakeholders on the value commuter railroads bring to the communities they serve.

South Shore Line

Transactions closed, land to be transferred for Northern Indiana Double Track Project

The Chicago South Shore & South Bend Railroad (CSS) and Northern Indiana Commuter Transportation District (NICTD) closed transactions with Northern Indiana Public Service Company (NIPSCO) to add 17 miles of double-track main line to improve CSS freight and NICTD commuter operations in northern Indiana.

Transit agencies concerned about impact of Omicron variant

Transit agencies are feeling the effects of and concerned about the future impact of the Omicron variant of COVID-19 as the virus blankets North America and many parts of the world.

Dallas Area Rapid Transit reviews accomplishments of 2021

Despite a very challenging 2021, Dallas Area Rapid Transit accomplished a number of projects, both in the construction arena and the social arena.

BART undertaking critical cable replacement work in Lafayette

BART is replacing electrical lines and other support components that are critical for maintaining reliable train service through Lafayette.

Metra will initiate significant hiring in January

Metra is planning a major hiring effort in early January to make sure it has enough personnel for schedule adjustments in the first quarter of 2022.

SFMTA Central Subway revenue service update

SFMTA Central Subway construction team is working aggressively to have line open by October 2022.

Port Authority Board of Commissioners approves 2022 operating and capital budgets

Following a month-long public comment period, the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey Board of Commissioners approved the agency’s $7.9 billion 2022 budget. The 2022 budget consists of $3.4 billion for operating expenses, $2.7 billion for annual capital spending, and $1.8 billion for debt service and deferred expenses.

Digital transformation and rail – news and commentary

The railroad industry is becoming more digital each day.

MTA Long Island Rail Road awards contract to upgrade a vital interlocking near Queens Village

The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) Board approved a contract to Hitachi Rail STS, USA Inc., for the creation and installation of a new signal system at a complex of switches near Queens Village.

Caltrain electrification project on time, but will cost more

The cost of the Caltrain electrification project just went up.

NTSB determines probable cause for 2019 SEPTA worker fatality

The National Transportation Safety Board has determined the probable cause of a SEPTA accident on July 8, 2019. Two excerpts from the press release are reproduced below, with a link to the full Accident Brief at the end.

LOAD MORE