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,

Special Report: On the Front Line: Sound Transit hit hard financially by coronavirus pandemic

The state of Washington was to first feel the impact of the coronavirus. It was the first to report a case in the U.S. and the first to report a death. Sound

Association of American Railroads weekly traffic report

The Association of American Railroads (AAR) today reported U.S. rail traffic for the week ending March 21, 2020. For this week, total U.S. weekly rail traffic was 459,966 carloads and intermodal units,

FRA asked by short lines to exempt them from random alcohol and drug tests due to coronavirus

The Fort Worth & Western Railroad, the Texas Northeastern Railway, the New Orleans Public Belt Railroad and the Indiana Harbor Belt Railroad have requested that the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) waive certain

Sound Transit, Microsoft disagree on land value for Redmond line

When friends become enemies it is always a messy situation. Sound Transit and Microsoft are starting to sling some mud at each other, and it has ended up in a lawsuit.

Special Podcast Series: The Coronavirus and the Rail Industry

RT&S Editor-in-Chief talks with Sound Transit’s John Gallagher on how his agency is dealing with the coronavirus pandemic. 

TSA says freight railroads need terrorist threat training

FreightWaves is reporting a new rule has been issued by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) that requires railroaders involved in operations that pose a higher-than-average risk to public safety to be trained

Medical professionals ride free on Metra

Metra announced yesterday that it would not charge medical professionals, and other medical personnel, to ride their trains at least through April 7th. All the rider needs to do is show an

UPDATED MARCH 24: 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

Coronavirus-driven drop in demand causes Amtrak to cancel Acela Express trains

For many years, Amtrak’s Acela Express trains have zipped up and down the Northeast Corridor between Washington, D.C. and Boston, Mass., showcasing the fastest rail passenger service in the United States. As

Long Island Rail Road

As ridership plummets, five transit agencies are put on Fitch Ratings’ watch list

Fitch Ratings has placed the ratings of five large U.S. public transit agencies on Rating Watch Negative. The following ratings are affected:

A “Sully” moment for Amtrak’s Anderson

As America increasingly is sheltering in place, losing unprecedented numbers of jobs and retirement savings, fearful of COVID-19, and facing a stress level unfamiliar except to those who have endured war zones,

Bells & Whistles—3/20/20

Due to technical difficulties on YouTube’s end, please go to the following link to view the latest Bells & Whistles: Bells & Whistles—3/20/20. Coronavirus my infect November ballot for Oregon Metro’s huge

UPDATED MARCH 20: 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 has been responding. Following is a

Canadian Pacific announces virtual meeting of shareholders

Canadian Pacific Railway Limited announced yesterday that it has completed the filing of its notice of meeting and management proxy circular for CP’s 2020 annual meeting of shareholders with Canadian and U.S.

Long Island Rail Road refunding little to riders; MTA’s Foye asking for $4B federal bailout

Most Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) customers expecting to receive a refund for their cancelled monthly passes are getting coins instead of bills.

short line railroad

Coronavirus may infect November ballot for Oregon Metro’s huge transportation plan

Oregon Metro’s giant $7 billion transportation plan might be put on hold due to the most famous virus in world history.

Metro-North’s Harlem, Hudson lines fully PTC-equipped

MTA Metro-North Railroad President Cathy Rinaldi announced that as of March 14 Metro-North’s full Harlem and Hudson lines are operating in Positive Train Control (PTC), bringing Metro-North’s total of PTC-equipped route miles

freight containers

Port Houston to close two terminals after employee tests positive for coronavirus

The Port of Houston announced today that it is closing the Bayport and Barbours Cut terminals because an employee who works at both terminals has tested positive for coronavirus. 

Schneider

CSX coronavirus prevention and response

CSX recently published its coronavirus prevention and response, which we have reproduced here in its entirety.

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