Amtrak continues ridership growth in 2013
Amtrak ridership increased in the first half of FY 2013 and March set a record as the single best month ever in Amtrak history. In addition, October, December and January each set individual monthly records.
Blasting concludes under Grand Central Terminal
Sandhogs working on the New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) East Side Access megaproject have concluded major blasting under Grand Central Terminal, where they are building two caverns 160 feet below street level that will house eight tracks for Long Island Rail Road trains.
Houston Metro celebrates 100 million boardings
Houston Metro’s 18 light-rail vehicles have traveled more than four million miles (the equivalent of five trips to the moon and back) recording 100 million boardings in the process, reaching the milestone four years ahead of schedule.
KCS Officer on a Train event in Mississippi
Kansas City Southern (KCS) and the West Point Police Department hosted an Officer on a Train event April 9 to promote public safety at railroad crossings in West Point, Miss.
Watco hires two new executives
Watco Companies hired Nate Henderson as director of operations for the Central Region for its Terminal and Port Services division.
CN funds AREMA endowment for education
Canadian National has committed a $50,000 endowment to the American Railway Engineering and Maintenance-of-Way Association (AREMA) Educational Foundation, according to a release from the association.
North Dakota rail line to benefit from TIGER III money
U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood has obligated $10 million to rebuild a rail line near Devils Lake, N.D.
CTA preps Green Line with station, track improvements
The southern part of the Chicago Transit Authority’s (CTA) Green Line will see $20 million in station and track improvements to prepare the line for increased traffic during CTA’s upcoming Red Line South Reconstruction Project.
FASTRACK returns to the Grand Concourse
Metropolitan Transit Authority New York City Transit is bringing FASTRACK to the Bronx on the Grand Concourse D Line starting April 8.
Six Class 1s recognized for transport safety
Six Class 1 railroads were recognized by Transportation Community Awareness and Emergency Response (TRANSCAER) through its 2012 National Awards Recognition Program.
Thelen retires; Schnautz to lead NS’ research and technology group
Norfolk Southern (NS) promoted Tom Schnautz to assistant vice president of research and advanced technology. He has assumed some of the responsibilities of Gerhard Thelen, including Positive Train Control (PTC) and research. Thelen retired March 31 as vice president operations planning and support.
UP putting $7 million into Nebraska infrastructure
Union Pacific (UP) plans to strengthen Nebraska’s transportation infrastructure by investing nearly $7 million in the rail line between North Bend and Grand Island. The project, funded entirely by UP without taxpayer dollars, is scheduled to be completed by the end of June.
Santa Clara VTA celebrates BART Silicon Valley milestone
On Friday, April 5, 2013, the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) in California, will celebrate one-year construction milestones for the Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) Silicon Valley Berryessa Extension Project.
UTU, Kyle Railroad reach tentative agreement
United Transportation Union Sheet Metal, Air, Rail & Transportation workers (UTU-SMART) and Kyle Railroad reached an agreement on a proposed contract for all crafts under UTU-SMART’s jurisdiction, which include: engineers, conductors, brakemen, maintenance of way employees, signal employees, mechanics, helpers and apprentices, carmen and welders.
New Mexico to give railroads a fuel tax break after eligible infrastructure investment
New Mexico Gov. Susana Martinez has signed the Locomotive Fuel Gross Receipts Tax (GRT) exemption bill, designed to encourage further growth of the railroad industry, as well as continued growth of exports and manufacturing in New Mexico.
FRA releases preliminary alternatives to upgrade NEC
The Federal Railroad Administration released the Northeast Corridor (NEC) Future Preliminary Alternatives Report. The report presents the process used to develop 15 Preliminary Alternatives that represent a wide range of possible futures for the NEC.
Metrolinx releases short list of proposed investment tools for transit expansion
Metrolinx in Ontario, Canada, released a short list of investment tools for consultation that will help decide how transit expansion is funded in the years ahead.
CHSRA receives high marks from federal watchdog audit
The U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) gave the California High-Speed Rail Authority (CHSRA) high marks in each area studied for it’s most recent audit, including estimates of cost, revenue, ridership and economic impact analysis.
Operation Lifesaver 2012 annual report outlines efforts, accomplishments
Operation Lifesaver, Inc. (OLI), the rail safety education nonprofit, released its 2012 Annual Report, which reviews the organization’s accomplishments.
NCDOT names Worley Rail Division director
The North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) named Paul Worley director of the Rail Division.