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.

March issue: Unique at-grade rail crossing in NYC provides access to recreation

With 330 acres of public parkland  located between Manhattan, Queens, and the Bronx, Randall’s Island Park is one of New York City’s main recreational hubs, drawing more than 3 million visitors annually.

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

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

Canadian National has not signed off on agreements for autoport project in Minn.

Winter put a stop to construction activity on an autoport project in Richmond, Minn. Meanwhile, negotiations between the town and Canadian National have been a tad icy.

Metro Transit

Minnesota’s Metro Transit suffers decline in ridership in 2019

Overall transit riders took fewer trips on Metro Transit in 2019, but there is plenty of blame to go around.

BART system upgrade

Measure would provide low-interest loans for passenger rail projects across the country

States might have some help when it comes to financing rail projects. U.S. Rep. Chris Pappas and U.S. Rep. Annie Kuster have introduced legislation that would give states low-interest loans for passenger

Norfolk Southern debuts autonomous track inspection technology mounted on locomotive

Norfolk Southern announced that it has achieved a breakthrough in track inspection technology that will enhance railroad safety and operating efficiencies.

TriMet

A drop in riders could eliminate one-third of funding for TriMet’s Southwest Corridor Project in Portland, Ore.

Eliminating park-and-ride spots has TriMet officials in Portland doing a duck-and-cover. Passenger estimates for the new Southwest Corridor Project have dropped from 43,000 to 37,500. TriMet was initially planning on the higher

NJ Transit forms task force to deal with coronavirus; ridership down in Washington State

Following the lead of New York’s Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA), NJ Transit is stepping up preventive measures in an effort to deal with a potential coronavirus outbreak. 

With blockades stopping, Canadian National begins recovery effort

Canadian National announced on March 3 that, in the absence of significant illegal blockades on its network over the last four days, it has started calling back most of the temporarily laid

Confirmed cases in N.Y. has MTA, rail agencies scrubbing stations, trains and cars

After two confirmed coronavirus cases in New York City, the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) is on sanitize alert. 

Ottawa Councillors say new Confederation Line is falling apart

Unhappy with the performance of Ottawa’s Confederation Line, Councillors have submitted a seething letter to Ontario’s Ombudsman demanding for an investigation.

Despite protestors, N.J. governor officially signals start of light rail extension project

The chants were overpowering the cheers. New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy announced the start of construction of the Hudson-Bergen light rail extension project. However, protestors disturbed the moment as they chanted against

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