In a letter to the United Transportation Union, Federal Railroad Administrator Joe Szabo pushed for more integrated rail systems. In the message, he said:
“We know well the population growth, mobility and environmental challenges revealing a clear need to invest in passenger rail and of passenger rail’s skyrocketing ridership, be it intercity, commuter, light or heavy.
Former Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) General Manger B.R. (Bill) Stokes passed away May 15, at his daughter’s home in Sammamish, Wash. He was 89. Stokes was considered a pioneer in the advancement of public transit.
The Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO) has approved construction authorization from the Ohio Rail Development Commission for grade-crossing upgrades at six crossings.
Union Pacific has been named one of the 2013 Best Employers for Healthy Lifestyles from the National Business Group on Health (NBGH). The award honors U.S. companies for their ongoing commitment to promoting healthy work environments and encouraging employees to live healthier lifestyles.
The Sound Transit Board of Directors selected the North Downtown Central Corridor as the alignment to move ahead with further environmental review for a potential expansion of the Tacoma Link light rail system. The alignment, also known as the E1 corridor, serves the Stadium District and Martin Luther King Jr. mixed use center.
The Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (LACMTA) Board of Directors have adopted a balanced $5.075-billion budget for Fiscal Year 2013-14 that begins on July 1, 2013.
The first Houston Metro train to travel the new North/Red Line extension will be tugged along the track by a special railcar mover beginning May 28, as Metro starts testing clearance on the 5.3-mile line.
The Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) Board has approved a proposal to increase fares and simplify the payment process for customers in preparation for next year’s move to a modernized fare system under the New Payment Technology (NPT) project.
The Amtrak Board of Directors is extending the contract of President and CEO Joe Boardman for his achievements in improving the operational and financial performance of Amtrak and to provide continuity of leadership.
U.S. Reps. Dan Lipinski (D-IL) and Michael Grimm (R-NY) have formed the Congressional Public Transportation Caucus, aimed at addressing issues facing the country’s public transportation systems, including rail, light rail, bus rapid transit and traditional bus service.
The TriMet Board of Directors in Portland, Ore., unanimously adopted the Fiscal Year 2014 budget. The $485 million operating budget, which will take effect July 1, 2013, includes budget priorities aimed at providing better service for riders and safety and maintenance improvements.
The Economic Development Administration (EDA) has awarded more than $4.7 million in federal disaster funding for the Chenango Industrial Development Agency (IDA) to move forward with the Utica Main Rail Line Revitalization project in New York.
New Jersey Transit has added express service this summer to New Jersey’s shore towns, beaches and boardwalks.
The Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority (MWAA) has selected the Capital Rail Constructors joint venture for the Dulles Corridor Metrorail Project, Phase 2: Package A.
Operating employees of Chicago Terminal Railroad (CTR) have selected United Transportation Union Sheet Metal, Air, Rail & Transportation workers (UTU-SMART) for representation.
RailWorks Corporation, named Mark Patterson president of its transit systems subsidiary L.K. Comstock National Transit, Inc., and named Nuno Pereira president of its Canadian subsidiary PNR RailWorks Inc.
The U.S. Department of Transportation awarded a $10.9-million Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery (TIGER) 2012 grant to the city of West Memphis, Ark., to expand the city’s port.
In Minnesota, the Hiawatha light-rail line has been rebranded as the Metro Blue Line, the first of the Twin Cities rapid transit lines. The Metro system will also include Green Line light-rail service between the downtowns (service begins mid-2014).
Axion International Holdings, Inc., has received a purchase order from a new customer, Edmonton Light Rail Transit, in Edmonton, AB, Canada, for its ECOTRAX ties. These ties will be used for road crossing applications where the transit line’s rail tracks intersect with roads.
Rio Grande Pacific Corporation appointed rail industry veteran Tres Meyer as chief operating officer of its Nebraska Central Railroad Company.
