New Yorkers ignoring social distancing on MTA trains
The city of New York is being called the epicenter of COVID-19 in the U.S., and despite pleas from officials to either stay home or execute social distancing, photos on social media
Passenger
Portland commissioner believes COVID-19 will be fatal blow to TriMet project
With COVID-19 tightening its grip in the U.S. and the economy suffering, Portland City Council Commissioner Jo Ann Hardesty believes the pandemic is a death blow to a planned 12-mile MAX line
Video shows progress on Calif. high-speed rail project
The California High Speed Rail Authority has released video of work being done on the Wasco Viaduct to get the area prepped for high-speed rail. Check out the video below to see
Man shot, killed on SEPTA train according to Philadelphia police
According to CBSN Philly, a man was shot and killed aboard a SEPTA train early Monday morning. Philadelphia Police Chief Inspector Scott Small said “When police from SEPTA found the victim on
UPDATED MARCH 30: Rail Group News Staff Report: Global railway industry response to the COVID-19 pandemic
The World Health Organization has declared COVID-19, otherwise known as the coronavirus, a pandemic, and the U.S. has declared a National Emergency. The global railway industry has been responding. Following is a
Special Podcast Series—The Coronavirus and the Rail Industry: What’s Happening Abroad
International Railway Journal Editor-in-Chief Kevin Smith talks with the International Union of Railways on the COVID-19 response in Europe.
Special Report—On the Front Line: While COVID-19 kills ridership, BART finds construction work therapeutic
Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) was almost at the top of the mountain. COVID-19 then jumped on it like a mountain lion. The fall over the last month has been great, but
Light rail work in L.A. area accelerating, but construction worker tests positive for COVID-19
Olympic athletes often change their training regiment leading up to the Games. In Los Angeles and the surrounding areas, workers constructing a more expansive subway system for the 2028 Summer Games are
Pettibone’s critical infrastructure workers continue operations
After careful deliberation amid the developing COVID-19 situation, Michigan-based Pettibone/Traverse Lift, LLC has announced it will continue in-person operations for essential employees. On March 23, Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer issued Executive Order
Texas Central lays off 28 employees
Texas Central, the builder of the planned bullet train between Dallas and Houston, has laid off 28 employees due to delays in the project resulting from the impact of the coronavirus on
Sunday listening: RT&S has podcasts available to fill your day
Wondering what to do on a Sunday? Get updated on the latest developments regarding COVID-19 and the transit/rail industry … or select other podcasts from our library. Just click on the links
UPDATED MARCH 27: Rail Group News Staff Report: Global railway industry response to the COVID-19 pandemic
The World Health Organization has declared COVID-19, otherwise known as the coronavirus, a pandemic, and the U.S. has declared a National Emergency. The global railway industry has been responding. Following is a
New York City subway fire kills train operator
The operator of a New York City subway train in Manhattan was killed this morning as a result of a fire that broke out in one of the train cars, according to
Special Podcast Series—The Coronavirus and the Rail Industry: VTA responds to first COVID-19 case involving train operator
Railway Track & Structures Editor-in-Chief Bill Wilson talks with Valley Transportation Authority’s Brandi Childress on how her agency responded to the first COVID-19 case involving a train operator. Other topics discussed: The
S.F. transit agency shuts down light rail service and subway stations in response to COVID-19
San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency (SFMTA) is pulling light rail trains from service and closing some stations as a result of COVID-19 and the state’s shelter-in-place order.
U.S. Senate passes $2T stimulus bill; rail/transit to receive billions
By a unanimous 96-0 vote, the U.S. Senate on March 26 passed H.R. 748, its version of a $2 trillion stimulus package for address the devastating economic and societal impacts of the
VTA train operator tests positive for COVID-19; train service is suspended
A Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) train operator-in-training has tested positive for COVID-19 in California, and as a precautionary measure light rail service is being put on pause.
FRA, responding to joint petition, issues emergency waiver for certain safety regulations
In response to a Petition from the Association of American Railroads (AAR), American Short Line and Regional Railroad Association (ASLRRA) and American Public Transportation Association (APTA), the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) has
Brightline halts service to South Florida amid coronavirus fears, lays off 250
Brightline laid off 250 people after announcing a temporary halt to its South Florida service because of coronavirus. Those laid off included track and local station workers, as well as Bob O’Malley,