Carmen Bianco named acting NYCT president
New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority Interim Executive Director Thomas Prendergast appointed Carmen Bianco to serve as New York City Transit acting president.
SEPTA and SMART-UTU reach tentative agreement
Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) employees, including conductors and assistant conductors, represented by United Transportation Union Sheet Metal, Air, Rail & Transportation workers (UTU-SMART) have reached a tentative contract with the commuter railroad.
Union Pacific upgrading Kansas infrastructure
Union Pacific plans to strengthen Kansas’ transportation infrastructure by investing $19 million in the rail line between Salina and an area near Oakley.
Amtrak ratifies five-year agreement with SMART Transportation Division
Amtrak employees represented by United Transportation Union Sheet Metal, Air, Rail & Transportation workers (UTU-SMART) have ratified a five-year agreement with Amtrak management.
CHSRA settles agricultural lawsuit
The California High-Speed Rail Authority (CHSRA), the Madera County Farm Bureau, Merced County Farm Bureau, Chowchilla Water District, Preserve Our Heritage and the Fagundes parties have reached a settlement agreement.
Boardman says NEC facing investment crisis
The Northeast Corridor (NEC) is facing a “major coming investment crisis that, without a solution, will mean strangled growth and deteriorating service” for 260 million intercity and commuter rail passengers who rely on it each year, Amtrak President and CEO Joe Boardman said.
Illinois six-year transportation construction program includes public transit and rail investment
A six-year, $12.62-billion construction program in Illinois has been put in place, which includes public transit and rail projects throughout the state.
Major BART construction begins at Hostetter Road
Major construction activity for the Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) Silicon Valley Berryessa Extension Project in California began this week in San Jose, where Hostetter Road intersects the future BART corridor.
Siemens acquisition of Invensys Rail receives EU Commission approval
The European Commission, under the EU Merger Regulation, has cleared the proposed acquisition of Invensys Rail, the railway signaling division of the Invensys Group of the UK, by Siemens of Germany.
BNSF recognizes 2012 Employees of the Year
BNSF honored the accomplishments of employees from across its network at an awards ceremony recently in Fort Worth, Texas.
SANDAG, NCTD to install crossovers, perform maintenance along LOSSAN
On April 20 and 21 in Southern California, North County Transit District (NCTD)’s COASTER commuter rail service, Amtrak and BNSF will cease operations for track maintenance.
Pacific Harbor Line named “Veterans Employer of the Year”
The California Employer Advisory Council (CEAC) has named Pacific Harbor Line (PHL) Veterans Employer of the Year for its “exemplary contribution in hiring our American heroes, our veterans.”
House T&I special panel to discuss freight transportation improvements
U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure has put together a special panel tasked with examining the current state of freight transportation in the United States and how improving freight transportation can strengthen the U.S. economy.
UTA opens Airport TRAX line
The Utah Transit Authority opened the Airport TRAX line April 14. The six-mile light-rail line extends the existing Green Line from the Arena Station at 400 West South Temple to North Temple and the Salt Lake City International Airport.
Chicago Rail Link completes upgrades for liquid asphalt shipper
The Chicago Rail Link (CRL), managed by OmniTRAX, has completed upgrades for BP Products North America, which has begun shipments of liquid asphalt through the terminal.
Bombardier awarded SunRail operations and maintenance contract
Bombardier Transportation signed a contract with the Florida Department of Transportation to provide operations and maintenance services for Central Florida’s SunRail commuter rail project.
Lilee Systems teams up with Alstom and Cisco for PTC-related products
Lilee Systems and Alstom are joining forces to launch a new suite of interoperable Positive Train Control (PTC) products for rail lines.
L.B. Foster makes organizational changes
As a part of ongoing efforts to create a more customer-centered organization in L.B. Foster Company’s recently consolidated rail businesses, a number of organizational changes have been made to its team led by Greg Lippard, vice president, rail products and sales.
CHSRA unveils bid results for first phase of system construction
The California High-Speed Rail Authority (CHSRA) has identified Tutor Perini/Zachry/Parsons, a Joint Venture, as the best scoring team for the design-build contract to begin construction of the Madera to Fresno segment, the first section of the high-speed rail system.
MTA, NYSDOT reach cost saving agreement; Prendergast nominated as MTA head
A cooperative agreement between the New York State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT) and the New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) has been made, which will save taxpayers and transit riders $111 million.