Earthquake hits Salt Lake City, shuts down light rail transit system

The largest earthquake to shake the state of Utah in almost 30 years has shut down light rail service in Salt Lake City.

FRA Administrator’s Declaration of Emergency Situation: Novel Coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19)

On Saturday, March 14, 2020, the Federal Railroad Administration issued the following Declaration of Emergency Situation:

Boston halts all construction activities as coronavirus cases elevate to 33

The city of Boston is shutting down construction activity as fears about the spread of the coronavirus continue and officials attempt to flatten the infected rate.

CORRECTION: Ottawa transit line subcontractor, Hardrock Concrete Inc., never fined for work done

In the article “Lawsuits mounting against Ottawa’s Confederation Line” RT&S incorrectly stated that Hardrock received a $3 million fine for delays, even though it faced numerous obstacles out of the company’s control. 

Amtrak needs a bailout fast; Metro Transit cancels overnight service; S.F. transit does not alter much during lockdown

Amtrak and other passenger rail services say $1 billion is needed to help recover from the coronavirus pandemic sweeping through the U.S.

U.S. Department of Transportation Announces $20.3 Million in Grants to Improve Transportation Access Through Innovative Technologies

The U.S. Department of Transportation’s (USDOT) Federal Transit Administration (FTA) yesterday announced approximately $20.3 million in grant selections through the Integrated Mobility Innovation (IMI) program. IMI supports projects that use innovative technologies

UPDATED MARCH 16: Rail Group 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 is ramping-up its response. Following is

Connecting new track with old track taking longer than expected for Sound Transit

When old meets new there is almost always an adjustment period. For Sound Transit, that adjustment period is going a little longer than expected.

Bells & Whistles Special—Saturday news update

Transit agencies suffer drop in ridership due to coronavirus fears. GoTriangle takes another angle with new commuter line. New transit line in Austin would cost taxpayers big time. Ottawa’s Confederation Line faces

Transit ridership drops significantly across the country amid coronavirus fears; some agencies cut service

With the coronavirus continuing to spread fear across the U.S., transit agencies are now starting to feel the effects of more people working from home and more people simply avoiding public gatherings.

U.S. DOT Federal Transit Administration announces $28.22 Million for Montana RTS Corridor in El Paso, Texas

The U.S. Department of Transportation’s (USDOT) Federal Transit Administration (FTA) today announced a $28.22 million grant to the City of El Paso for the Montana Rapid Transit Service (RTS) Corridor project. The

Rail Group Staff Report: Global railway industry response to the COVID-19 pandemic

MARCH 12, 2020: The World Health Organization has declared COVID-19, otherwise known as the coronavirus, a pandemic, and the global railway industry is ramping-up its response. Following is a staff report from

Amtrak ridership hammered over coronavirus concerns

Despite press releases explaining how thoroughly Amtrak is cleaning its trains, ranging from every day to every hour, USA Today reports that, according to Amtrak, cancellations are up 300% and bookings are down

short line railroad

Talk of Gold Line extension in California takes several turns

There is yet to be an approved line of thinking when it comes to extending the Gold Line in San Bernardino County, Calif. The San Bernardino Country Transportation Authority (SBCTA) says it

Watch video: CTA shows how it is sanitizing cars and stations during coronavirus outbreak

The Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) released a video on how crews are sanitizing trains and stations during the coronavirus outbreak. 

Network Rail awards maintenance train service contract to Harsco

Harsco Corporation announced its Rail division has been awarded a three-year (with an optional two-year extension) mobile maintenance train service contract by Network Rail, the largest infrastructure manager of railway network in

Mesa, Ariz., light rail project recognized for innovation, working with the community

The Gilbert Road Light Rail Extension project in Mesa, Ariz., has received the Associated General Contractors of America’s Construction Risk Partners Build America Merit Award for best new highway and transportation project.

Progress Rail

GoTriangle has new approach to a commuter rail line in North Carolina

GoTriangle is circling back on a new commuter rail line that would serve Durham and Johnston counties in North Carolina. GoTriangle tried to move forward with an 18-mile line last year, but

Rail union outlines its “demands” for the coronavirus

The Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET) wants the rail industry to take the right steps regarding the coronavirus, and that means changing the sick leave policy and making sure everything

U.S. Senators propose bill to end Amtrak’s forced arbitration policy

During the fall of 2019, RT&S reported on the decision by Amtrak to end the right for passengers injured in an Amtrak accident to sue the passenger carrier, and said that any such

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