CSX releases 2012 CSR Report
CSX unveiled its 2012 Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Report outlining the company’s operations, environmental, social and financial performance.
Track Maintenance
FRA launches app to raise grade-crossing safety awareness
The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) launched an iOS smartphone mobile application, the Rail Crossing Locator, which provides the public with easy access to safety information about the nation’s more than 200,000 highway-rail grade crossings.
ARRC shuffles senior management
As part of a company reorganization, the Alaska Railroad Corporation (ARRC) recently realigned its top-level management team, which features expanded roles and a few new faces.
Watco appoints three to new positions
Watco Transportation Services promoted Mike Stickel to vice president sales and marketing, East Region. With the acquisition growth of Watco’s railroads across the company, additional marketing and sales resources are being deployed to ensure Watco is meeting customer’s needs.
CTLGroup CEO steps down, temporary replacement named
Engineering firm CTLGroup says its President and CEO Jeffrey Garrett, Ph.D., S.E., has resigned and Timothy Tonyan, Ph.D., vice president and group manager of materials consulting practice, will serve as interim president and CEO.
Rep. Lipinski touts CREATE, pushes to complete larger projects
U.S. Rep. Dan Lipinski (D-IL), at a special House Rail Subcommittee meeting June 10 on rail issues in Northeastern Illinois, touted the Chicago Regional Environmental and Transportation Efficiency Program (CREATE) initiative as a model for a successful public-private partnership
FASTRACK returns to the Broadway Line
Metropolitan Transit Authority New York City Transit will bring FASTRACK back to Manhattan on the N, Q and R Broadway Line beginning June 17. Service will be suspended for four consecutive weeknights until early Friday morning, June 21.
Keolis, VRE’s contractor operator, ratifies a deal with the UTU
Members of the United Transportation Union Sheet Metal, Air, Rail and Transportation Workers (UTU-SMART) employed by Keolis Rail Services ratified a new three-year agreement June 7 to continue service on the Virginia Railway Express (VRE) trains operating between Northern Virginia and Washington, D.C. Of the ballots returned, 78 percent were in favor of the new pact.
RSAC recommends passenger rail crashworthiness standards to accommodate HSR
The Federal Railroad Administration’s (FRA) Railroad Safety Advisory Committee (RSAC) voted unanimously on implementing new crashworthiness performance standards for next generation high-speed passenger rail equipment that will operate in the United States.
CHSRA granted exemption from STB
The Surface Transportation Board granted an exemption for construction of 65 miles of California high speed railroad right-of-way between Merced and Fresno, Calif., on Thursday, June 13, 2013.
BART approves $1.5 billion FY14 budget
The Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) Board of Directors has approved a $1.5 billion balanced budget for fiscal year 2014 that responds to customer priorities with investments in cleaner stations, new trains and other system improvements.
TranSystems names new senior vice president for passenger and transit
Robert Ryan joined TranSystems as senior vice president and market sector leader for its national passenger rail and transit practice areas.
JLP hires former Amtrak construction manager
J.L. Patterson & Associates, Inc. (JLP) hired Harry Steelman as senior construction manager, a former Amtrak construction manager.
WMATA to implement close call reporting
Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) is launching a Close Call Transit Safety Reporting System designed to enhance safety by increasing the opportunity for employee reporting of incidents or situations that have the potential for more serious consequences.
Metro-North accelerates trackwork in Bronx through summer
New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) Metro-North Railroad plans to accelerate trackwork in the Bronx including drainage improvements, tie replacements, fencing repairs and general cleanup of the wayside for nine weeks from July 1 through Labor Day.
KCSM chosen as Chrysler Group’s Logistics Supplier of the Year
Chrysler Group LLC has honored Kansas City Southern de Mexico, S.A. de C.V. (KCSM) with its Supplier of the Year award in the Logistics category. The award was presented at Chrysler’s third annual Strategy Meeting and Supplier Awards Ceremony on June 5 in Auburn Hills, Mich.
Norfolk Southern dedicates new regional intermodal facility
Norfolk Southern CEO Wick Moorman and U.S. Rep. Bill Shuster joined federal, state and local officials June 11 to officially dedicate the Franklin County Regional Intermodal Facility in Pennsylvania.
CSX CFO highlights growth supported by intermodal expansion
Expansion in domestic and international intermodal markets will help to drive continued long-term profitable growth at CSX, Chief Financial Officer Fredrik Eliasson stated at the 2013 Cowen and Company 6th Annual Global Transportation Conference in New York.
Sound Transit hosts open houses on Federal Way Transit Extension
Sound Transit is conducting two open houses this month to seek public comment on its evaluation of alternatives to extend Link light rail from SeaTac to the Kent/Des Moines and Federal Way areas.
NJ Transit to offer WiFi at stations, platforms and trains
The New Jersey Transit Board of Directors authorized the agency to enter into a public-private partnership with Cablevision Systems Corporation to offer one of the top requested amenities to NJ Transit customers: high-speed wireless internet access at stations and onboard trains.