Caltrain celebrates a decade of Baby Bullet service; coalition to coordinate funds for modernization

As Caltrain marks its 10th year of Baby Bullet service, major employers that have grown their companies along the Caltrain/101 corridor announced the formation of a new advocacy coalition that will work to support efforts to expand Caltrain capacity and service as the system struggles to meet the unprecedented ridership and financial demands it’s facing.

Proposed 2015 CTA budget holds fares, continues system improvements

The Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) has proposed a balanced $1.44 billion budget that, for the fourth year in a row, maintains or improves transit service levels and holds the line on base fares, while continuing investment in projects and programs to improve the customer experience and modernize regional transit.

Contract awarded for three new Connecticut to Massachusetts rail stations

Connecticut Gov. Dannel Malloy and the Connecticut Department of Transportation (ConnDOT) revealed plans for three new train stations in Wallingford, Meriden and Berlin, Conn., as part of the New Haven-Hartford-Springfield (NHHS) Rail Program.

HDR hires transportation director

Randy Altshuler joined HDR as the firm’s West Region transportation director, based in the Oakland, Calif., office. His responsibilities include leading business development activities and growth strategies throughout the West Region.

Quebec, Champion Iron and Adriana to study Labrador Trough rail feasibility

The Québec government and Lac Otelnuk Mining Ltd., a joint venture between Adriana Resources and WISCO International Resources Development & Investment Limited, have formed a partnership with Champion Iron Limited, the Northern Quebec Railway Partnership (SFNQ), to study Labrador Trough rail feasibility.

CHSRA opens two RFQs for consultant services to advance high-speed project

The California High-Speed Rail Authority (CHSRA) released two separate Requests for Qualifications (RFQ) for Regional Consultant services for the Palmdale to Burbank Project Section and the Burbank to Los Angeles/Anaheim Project Section of the high-speed rail program.

Axion receives West Coast switch tie order

Axion International Holdings, Inc., received a purchase order from a major West Coast based transit line. The purchase order calls for approximately $377,000 in switch ECOTRAX 100 percent recycled ties for 26 turnouts.

FRA develops first multi-state planning study for high-performance rail in the Southwest

The  Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) has published its first multi-state plan for a comprehensive, high-performing passenger rail network that will support rail planning in six Southwestern states over the next 35 years.

NCDOT Secretary Tata pledges commitment to rail safety

N.C. Department of Transportation (NCDOT) Secretary Tony Tata visited the BeRailSafe booth at the North Carolina State Fair to sign a pledge stating his commitment to rail safety.

KCS appoints SVP human resources

Kansas City Southern has appointed Lora Cheatum to senior vice president human resources.

X Train re-routes to Western Alignment

The Las Vegas Railway Express, Inc., (X Train) has begun the engineering of the route to Las Vegas from Los Angeles on what it calls the Western Alignment.

FTA signs ROD for Mid-Coast Trolley project

The Mid-Coast Trolley project in San Diego, Calif., reached a significant milestone when the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) signed the Record of Decision for the federal environmental document on October 15.

CP confirms termination of exploratory talks with CSX

Canadian Pacific said that exploratory conversations held with CSX concerning a possible business combination have ended.

AECOM completes acquisition of URS Corporation

AECOM completed its acquisition of URS Corporation on Oct. 17, 2014, following approval of the merger agreement by URS’ stockholders and the stock issuance proposal by AECOM’s stockholders at each company’s respective special stockholder meetings held on Oct. 16, 2014.

CTA Board approves minimum wage ordinance for contractors, subcontractors

The Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) Board approved an ordinance that will require all CTA contractors and subcontractors to pay their eligible employees a minimum wage of $13 per hour.

New Metra station awarded Illinois funds

A new Metra station at 79th Street in the Chicago neighborhood of Auburn Park-Gresham received a $21.5-million boost in state funds. Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn announced the funds Oct. 11 and is part of the governor’s agenda to create jobs and build infrastructure to drive the state’s economy forward.

FEIS, ROD issued for CREATE’s 75th Street CIP

The Chicago Region Environmental and Transportation Efficiency (CREATE) Program partners and the Federal Highway Administration announced the availability of the combined Final Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) and Record of Decision (ROD) for the 75th Street Corridor Improvement Project (75th Street CIP).

Fairfax County approves streetcar funds

Fairfax County in Virginia approved funding preliminary engineering designs for the planned Columbia Pike Streetcar, a joint project with Arlington County, which serves as the lead partner for the project.

SEPTA, BLET reach tentative five-year agreement

The Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET), representing 200 rail engineers at Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA), have reached a tentative agreement for a new five-year contract with the transit agency that will cover workers through July 2015.

NJ Transit names chief of its Office of System Safety

New Jersey Transit (NJ Transit) appointed Gardner Tabon as the chief of the recently-established Office of System Safety, as part of an initiative to reinvigorate NJ Transit’s corporate-wide safety culture.

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