Metrolink sets ridership record
In California, Metrolink experienced record ridership this Thanksgiving holiday. Operating the same number of trains as last year, Metrolink reported 4,448 Thanksgiving Day riders; a 36 percent increase from 2011.
Passenger
Metro-North’s Port Jervis signalization project begins
A new signal system is being installed on the New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority Metro-North Railroad’s Port Jervis Line that will increase safety and more efficiently control train speed.
Welding begins on TriMet’s Portland-Milwaukie Project
Crews began welding together the first section of rail for TriMet’s Portland-Milwaukie Light Rail Transit Project in Oregon.
Canadian court dismisses Air Rail Link complaint
The Canadian Divisional Court has dismissed an action brought by Clean Train Coalition in reference to the Metrolinx Air Rail Link (ARL) in Toronto, ON.
Amtrak names two to executive and management positions
Amtrak named Bruce Pohlot chief engineer and Tom Quigley general manager, state-supported services. Both will report directly to D.J. Stadtler, vice president of operations, effective Dec. 10, 2012.
Edmonton LRT hits tunnel construction milestone
In Edmonton, AB, Canada, tunneling crews working on the North Light Rail Transit (LRT) to Northern Alberta Institute of Technology (NAIT) project broke through the wall at Churchill Station, connecting the North LRT with Edmonton’s existing light-rail network.
CTA releases 2013 budget recommendations
The Chicago Transit Authority proposed a $1.39 billion budget for 2013 that maintains current service levels, freezes base fares and calls for modest reductions in discounts for CTA passes to bring them in line with other major U.S. cities.
FTA approves $1.55 billion for Honolulu rail project
The Federal Transit Administration has notified Congress that it will sign a $1.55 billion full funding grant agreement (FFGA) with the city and county of Honolulu by the end of this year.
Santa Clara VTA proposing Los Gatos light-rail extension
In California, the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) is proposing to extend the existing Mountain View to Winchester light-rail line by 1.6 miles by way of the Vasona Light Rail Extension Project.
NJ Transit fully or partially restores service to all but one rail line
New Jersey Transit rail lines are running full or modified service effective Monday, November 19, with the exception of one line.
New Windsor VIA Rail Station officially opens
As part of the ongoing modernization of VIA Rail Canada facilities, the new VIA Rail Windsor Station is now open.
Archaeological work for Honolulu rail project ahead of schedule
Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transit’s (HART) archaeological inventory survey work for the Honolulu Rail Transit Project is ahead of schedule and all fieldwork is now slated for completion in early December.
Chicago-St. Louis HSR gets environmental approval from feds and state
The Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) and Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) have signed and issued the Tier 1 Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the full build-out of the Chicago-St. Louis high-speed rail corridor.
FTA to expedite $25 million in funding for NJ Transit continued recovery
U.S. Sens. Frank Lautenberg (D-N.J.) and Robert Menendez (D-N.J.) have worked with the Federal Transit Administration to expedite $25 million in funding to New Jersey Transit that will aid in the recovery from Superstorm Sandy.
Sound Transit, Seattle to explore transit possibilities between downtown Seattle and Ballard
Sound Transit and the city of Seattle, Wash., have agreed to jointly study transit improvements between downtown Seattle and Ballard.
Agreement would put X Train on UP-owned track
Las Vegas Railway Express, Inc. (X Train), and Union Pacific signed a conditional agreement to provide passenger service on Union Pacific-owned right-of-way between Las Vegas, Nev., and Daggett, Calif.
BART unveils vision for future transit to meet growing demand
In response to its increasing capacity needs, San Francisco’s Bay Area Rapid Transit is drafting a three-phased plan to address sustainability and customer service objectives, while maintaining a safe and reliable rapid transit system.
HDR lead designer for Dallas streetcar project
Dallas Area Rapid Transit in Dallas, Texas, selected the Stacy and Witbeck/Carcon Joint Venture team, with HDR as lead designer, for the Dallas Streetcar Oak Cliff Line. This 1.6-mile streetcar line was the recipient of a $26 million Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery (TIGER) grant and will be the first modern streetcar in Dallas.
Cleveland Track Material awarded several projects on low vibration ties
Cleveland Track Material will deliver five guarded, tangential geometry, double crossovers with 39-41-foot track centers on low vibration concrete tie blocks for the 2nd Avenue and 7 Line Extension projects in New York City.
CSX opens new TRANSFLO facility in Westborough
Massachusetts Lt. Gov. Timothy Murray joined CSX, Town Manager Jim Malloy of Westborough and businesses to celebrate the opening of CSX’s TRANSFLO facility in Westborough, Mass.