Canadian National says that members of the Teamsters Canada Rail Conference-Rail Canada Traffic Controllers have ratified a new collective agreement covering approximately 210 train dispatchers in Canada.
Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority’s board of directors adopted a $4.5 billion budget for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2012. LACMTA’s FY 2013 budget does not propose raising fares, which already rank among the lowest in the nation; its farebox recovery will stay at 28 percent.
BNSF plans to invest an estimated $111 million on maintenance and rail capacity improvement projects in Montana this year.
The Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority Board of Directors approved WMATA’s $2.5 billion operating and capital budgets for fiscal 2013, which fund critical projects to enhance safety and reliability, as well as customer service. WMTA’s fiscal year begins July 1.
The Honorable Lisa Raitt, Canada’s Labor Minister, said that the federal government has put the Restoring Rail Service Act on notice to end the current Canadian Pacific work stoppage involving the Teamsters Canada Rail Conference.
BNSF plans to invest an estimated $30 million on maintenance and rail capacity improvement projects in South Dakota this year.
Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority, elected officials, community leaders and other dignitaries gathered to celebrate the completion of a federally-funded, non-stimulus $7.9 million renovation project at Ryers Station.
The Public Utilities Commission of Ohio approved construction authorization from the Ohio
The Denver, Colo., Regional Transportation District will open the West Rail Line to the public on April 26, 2013, eight months ahead of the originally scheduled opening date. The West Rail Line is the first FasTracks project to be completed and part of the current $4.2 billion investment in the region. Presently, 50 miles of new rail line are in construction or under contract to begin construction.
GO Transit in Toronto, Canada, celebrates its 45th year in operation and recognizes that milestone with a reflection on its history and successes.
RailAmerica, Inc., stated that its board of directors is considering strategic alternatives, which may include a sale of the company. In connection with its evaluation, the company is engaged in preliminary discussions with third parties regarding a potential sale of the company.
New York’s Metropolitan Transportation Authority Long Island Rail Road plans to invest $211.5 million in Main Line infrastructure improvements, including a $55 million facelift for Hicksville Station. Other projects include a new bridge in Westbury and track drainage fix in Mineola.
Stu Towner has been promoted to the position of assis¬tant vice president of operations for Watco Transportation Services. Towner will be responsible for the continued development and improvement of safety, service, growth, people and efficiency in all areas of WTS. He will be responsible for and participate in, due diligence and transition of new acquisitions within WTS.
Gannett Fleming, Inc., has named Joel Lee vice president of the company and hired John Hugunin as senior project manager.
Canadian Pacific has received a 72-hour strike notice from the Teamsters Canada Rail Conference, which represents 4,800 engineers, conductors and rail traffic controllers in Canada.
Bay Area Rapid Transit near San Francisco will implement the last in a series of inflation-based fare increases when fares increase by 1.4 percent. Because BART fares are rounded to the nearest nickel, some fares will remain the same after the increase, including the minimum BART fare of $1.75, and the average fare will go up by five cents. Fares last increased in July 2009
The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority Transit Police Department released the See Say smartphone app. With this iPhone App, riders are able to instantly report suspicious activity on the MBTA to Transit Police. In just a few clicks, riders can share pictures, text and incident location details.
Seattle’s Sound Transit Deputy CEO Celia Kupersmith will retire effective August. 3.
“I have loved every moment at Sound Transit and am pleased by all we have accomplished in my time here but my two-year old grandson is calling so I am moving on to spend more time with him.”
Canadian Pacific Board of Directors appointed newly-elected Director, Stephen Tobias, as interim CEO. Tobias is a 40-year veteran of the railroad industry and former vice chair and chief operations officer of Norfolk Southern. In 2008, Tobias was awarded Railway Age magazine’s Railroader of the Year award.
The Regional Transportation Commission for Santa Cruz County in Southern California authorized the selection of Iowa Pacific Holdings to operate on the Santa Cruz Branch Rail Line. The RTC will enter into an administration, coordination and license agreement with Iowa Pacific to conduct freight and passenger rail service, as well as maintain the line and provide general commercial insurance.