Coronavirus impacts Union Pacific and Canadian Pacific headquarters

The headquarters offices of both Union Pacific and Canadian Pacific have been impacted by the coronavirus, but in different ways.

Podcast: Interview With Union Pacific COO Jim Vena

Listen to Railway Age Editor-in-Chief William C. Vantuono’s March 2020 interview with Union Pacific Chief Operating Officer Jim Vena on Unified Plan 2020, UP’s version of PSR, Precision Scheduled Railroading, and how it’s changing

Association of American Railroads traffic report for week ending March 14, 2020

The Association of American Railroads (AAR) today reported U.S. rail traffic for the week ending March 14, 2020.

Metro Transit

APTA: Transit agencies need billions of dollars in aid due to coronavirus

With transit agencies feeling the hurt of the coronavirus in the U.S., many are now hoping Congress will step up and offer some relief.

Kansas City Southern may update guidance due to coronavirus

At a Bank of America investor conference, Kansas City Southern reported that it’s financial targets and guidance may change next month, based on the U.S. response to the coronavirus. Mike Upchurch, KCS’s

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.

Cost climbs for bicycle bridge over BNSF tracks in Minnesota due to poor soil

Costs are starting to mount for a proposed pedestrian bridge that crosses over BNSF railroad tracks in St. Louis Park, Minn.

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

Intermodal containers becoming scarce for export shippers

As sailings from North American ports have been canceled, a lot of containers are sitting at ports waiting to be shipped. This, in turn, is creating a shortage of containers for export

Class 1 fuel surcharges

Union Pacific creosote facility community impact continues to be evaluated

In late January of this year, RT&S reported on a former creosote site in Houston that Union Pacific has owned for the last twenty years, and was formerly a Southern Pacific site.

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

commentary

March editorial: This STB angle is going too far

For more or for less. Geometry was indeed the less of me. I have always been pretty good with numbers, so math and algebra were not much of a challenge for me

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.

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.

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