TTC accelerates operator review

Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) Chief Executive Officer Andy Byford has directed his chief safety officer and chief service officer to conduct a comprehensive review of all bus and streetcar operator recruitment, training, recertification and monitoring programs.

CTA Damen Station reopens

The Chicago Transportation Authority reopened the newly renovated and modernized Damen Blue Line station December 22. 

Watco names SVP finance

Watco Transportation Services named Joe King senior vice president of finance. King will lead the teams of finance, accounting, revenue accounting and the SAP Team.

Amtrak Vermonter makes inaugural run on Knowledge Corridor

Massachusetts Gov.Deval Patrick joined Reps. Richard Neal (D-MA-1) and James McGovern (D-MA-3), Massachusetts Department of Transportation Acting Secretary and Chief Executive Officer Frank DePaola, local elected officials and community members Dec. 22 for the inaugural run of Amtrak‘s Vermonter service on the Knowledge Corridor.

CHSRA reaches settlement with Bakersfield; plans for groundbreaking ceremony

The California High-Speed Rail Authority (CHSRA) has reached a settlement agreement with the city of Bakersfield, Calif., which will result in the dismissal of California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) litigation over the Final Environmental Impact Report/Environmental Impact Statement (EIR/EIS) for the Fresno to Bakersfield project section of the high-speed rail program.

CP’s Hunter Harrison is 2015 Railroader of the Year

Chief Executive Officer of Canadian Pacific E. Hunter Harrison has been named 2015 Railroader of the Year by Railway Age.

KCS’ Starling issues annual “State of the Railroad” memo

“This year, the Kansas City Southern management team refined the company’s vision, restating it to be the leading transportation provider both within and between the U.S. and Mexico by consistently providing superior value to our customers, offering challenging careers to our employees and increasing value to our shareholders,” stated KCS’s President and Chief Executive Officer David Starling in his annual “State of the Railroad” memo.

President Obama signs legislation extending shortline tax credit extension and enacting omnibus spending bill

President Obama signed two key pieces of legislation last week that will impact the rail industry.

HART reveals cost containment strategy; opens bids for first package of station contracts

The Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation (HART) is taking several steps to reduce costs and explore new revenue sources in an effort to address what it sees as financial challenges ahead.

HDR selected for D.C. to Richmond HSR environmental impact statement

The Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation has selected HDR to provide a Tier II Environmental Impact Statement for proposed high-speed rail to improve passenger rail service and alleviate congestion between Washington, D.C., and Richmond, Va.

Silver Line Phase Two receives approval for $598 million in TIFIA loans

U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) closed a $403-million Transportation Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (TIFIA) loan for Fairfax County and a $195 million TIFIA loan for Loudoun County to fund construction of Phase Two of the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) Silver Line extension.

Sound Transit Board approves 2015 budget

The Sound Transit Board approved a $1.2-billion 2015 budget that continues major light-rail expansions, anticipates carrying more than 32 million riders and prepares for a future Sound Transit 3 ballot measure.

Meeting held to discuss Connell Rail Interchange

Approximately 30 people attended a meeting December 15 in Moses Lake, Wash., to discuss the Connell Rail Interchange, a key rail interchange in Eastern Washington where the Columbia Basin Railroad line intersects with BNSF’s Lakeside Subdivision line, which runs between Spokane and Pasco, Wash.

Coos Bay Rail Link, San Pedro & Southwestern Railroad general managers named

ARG Transportation Services’ Coos Bay Rail Link Director of Rail Operations Darrell Rodley and San Pedro & Southwestern Railroad Manager of Operations Richard Archunde have been promoted to general managers of their respective companies, effective January 1.

Boxhold appointed FDOT secretary

Jim Boxold has been named Secretary of the Florida Department of Transportation, (FDOT) effective January 3, 2015.

Canadian government introduces new crossing regulations

The Canadian government introduced new regulations to help prevent accidents and improve railway safety.

New York awards funding to 12 rail projects

New York State awarded $17.8 million in funding from the State’s Passenger and Freight Rail Assistance Program to 12 rail projects that will repair and replace 65 miles of track and ties, rehabilitate grade crossings and bridges and construct new connections to improve safety and operations.

Congress approves extension of 45G tax credit for 2014

Congress approved the extension of the Section 45G shortline tax credit to cover all of the 2014 tax year.

Second Avenue Subway Station shell at 86th Street complete

Metropolitan Transportation Authority‘s Second Avenue Subway construction has reached a milestone with the on-time completion of the 86th Street Station cavern.

Four South Dakota rail projects receive $56 million in funds from public-private partnerships

Four rail projects in South Dakota have received $56 million in public and private funds.

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