GE Transportation chooses Chicago for global headquarters

GE Transportation has chosen Chicago, Ill., as its global headquarters. Erie, Pa., will remain the headquarters for GE Transportation’s global locomotive business and key manufacturing site.

CP, TCRC talks stall, Canadian government takes steps to legislate end to strike

Legislation has been introduced in Canada’s House of Commons aimed at restoring Canadian Pacific Service. The Honorable Lisa Raitt, Canada’s Labor Minister, introduced the Restoring Rail Service Act, which was put in place to end the strike at CP.

FRA’s Close Call Reporting Program shows improvement; present R&D agenda

In recent analysis, the Federal Railroad Administration said its Close Call Confidential Reporting System (C3RS) demonstration project has shown significant improvements in both safety and safety culture since C3RS was introduced, including a decrease in derailments.

Winnipeg’s Union Station to receive upgrades

The Honorable Steven Fletcher, minister of state (transport) and member of Parliament for Charleswood-St. James-Assinniboia, Manitoba and VIA Rail Canada announced a CA$6.5 million (US$6.36 million) investment in Winnipeg’s Union Station to improve public areas, accessibility, passenger services and amenities and the exterior of the heritage building.

CTA’s Red Line station improvement project set to begin

Chicago Transportation Authority’s Red North Interim Station Improvement project will begin Friday, June 1, resulting in the temporary closure of the Granville station for up to six weeks.

CN says rail traffic controllers in Canada ratify new collective agreement

Canadian National says that members of the Teamsters Canada Rail Conference-Rail Canada Traffic Controllers have ratified a new collective agreement covering approximately 210 train dispatchers in Canada.

LACMTA adopts FY13 budget, approves remaining phases of Westside Subway Extension

Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority’s board of directors adopted a $4.5 billion budget for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2012. LACMTA’s FY 2013 budget does not propose raising fares, which already rank among the lowest in the nation; its farebox recovery will stay at 28 percent.

WMATA Board approves FY13 budget

The Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority Board of Directors approved WMATA’s $2.5 billion operating and capital budgets for fiscal 2013, which fund critical projects to enhance safety and reliability, as well as customer service. WMTA’s fiscal year begins July 1.

Canada prepares legislation to end CP strike

The Honorable Lisa Raitt, Canada’s Labor Minister, said that the federal government has put the Restoring Rail Service Act on notice to end the current Canadian Pacific work stoppage involving the Teamsters Canada Rail Conference.

SEPTA celebrates Ryers Station improvements

Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority, elected officials, community leaders and other dignitaries gathered to celebrate the completion of a federally-funded, non-stimulus $7.9 million renovation project at Ryers Station.

GO Transit celebrates 45 years of service

GO Transit in Toronto, Canada, celebrates its 45th year in operation and recognizes that milestone with a reflection on its history and successes.

RailAmerica, Inc., reviews strategic alternatives

RailAmerica, Inc., stated that its board of directors is considering strategic alternatives, which may include a sale of the company. In connection with its evaluation, the company is engaged in preliminary discussions with third parties regarding a potential sale of the company.

LIRR plans $211.5 million in infrastructure improvements

New York’s Metropolitan Transportation Authority Long Island Rail Road plans to invest $211.5 million in Main Line infrastructure improvements, including a $55 million facelift for Hicksville Station. Other projects include a new bridge in Westbury and track drainage fix in Mineola.

Watco promotes Towner to assistant vice president of operations

Stu Towner has been promoted to the position of assis¬tant vice president of operations for Watco Transportation Services. Towner will be responsible for the continued development and improvement of safety, service, growth, people and efficiency in all areas of WTS. He will be responsible for and participate in, due diligence and transition of new acquisitions within WTS.

Gannett Fleming names Lee vice president, hires new senior project manager

Gannett Fleming, Inc., has named Joel Lee vice president of the company and hired John Hugunin as senior project manager.

CP receives 72-hour strike notice from TCRC

Canadian Pacific has received a 72-hour strike notice from the Teamsters Canada Rail Conference, which represents 4,800 engineers, conductors and rail traffic controllers in Canada.

BART to implement last of inflation-based fare increases July 1

Bay Area Rapid Transit near San Francisco will implement the last in a series of inflation-based fare increases when fares increase by 1.4 percent. Because BART fares are rounded to the nearest nickel, some fares will remain the same after the increase, including the minimum BART fare of $1.75, and the average fare will go up by five cents.  Fares last increased in July 2009

MBTA releases See Say smartphone app

The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority Transit Police Department released the See Say smartphone app. With this iPhone App, riders are able to instantly report suspicious activity on the MBTA to Transit Police. In just a few clicks, riders can share pictures, text and incident location details.

Sound Transit’s deputy CEO to retire

Seattle’s Sound Transit Deputy CEO Celia Kupersmith will retire effective August. 3.

“I have loved every moment at Sound Transit and am pleased by all we have accomplished in my time here but my two-year old grandson is calling so I am moving on to spend more time with him.”

New CP Board appoints Tobias interim CEO

Canadian Pacific Board of Directors appointed newly-elected Director, Stephen Tobias, as interim CEO. Tobias is a 40-year veteran of the railroad industry and former vice chair and chief operations officer of Norfolk Southern. In 2008, Tobias was awarded Railway Age magazine’s Railroader of the Year award.

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