Search Results for: Can We Keep Penn Station from Going South

Commentary

Part 5 of 6: Can We Keep Penn Station from Going South?

In 1995, one of the alternatives of the original Access to the Region’s Core (ARC) Project would have developed a track connection for New Jersey Transit (NJT) trains to go to Grand Central Terminal (GCT) on the East Side of Midtown Manhattan. New Jersey riders, especially commuters whose offices are nearby, would have enjoyed convenient access to them for the first time. That alternative was eliminated in 2003, and the means for delivering new Manhattan capacity was downgraded to a stub-end deep-cavern station 20 stories below ground.

Commentary

Part 11: Circumstances Are Changing

While the COVID-19 virus was occupying most of our attention, an event so unforeseeable and strange occurred that anything remotely resembling it had previously been considered unthinkable. For a brief time in April, oil literally became equivalent to trash. It brought a negative price on the market, which meant that its owners had to pay to get rid of it, as the cost to store it kept rising. That phenomenon was a momentary hiccup of our virus-based economy, but it says something about supply, demand and the cost of infrastructure. This does have something to do with the Gateway Program, and it is time for the members of the Board of the Gateway Development Corp. (GDC) to start noticing some recent changes. As of the May 28 meeting, they had not.

Commentary

Part 7: A Misleading Analysis of Delays, A New Commission, and A New Obstacle to Funding

When we published the sixth article in this series last month, we promised continuing coverage of the Gateway saga. What we did not know at that time was that so much news would come to us so quickly. At a Board meeting of the Gateway Program Development Corp. on July 22, a Gateway spokesperson presented an analysis of delays that he attributed to the existing Portal Bridge and the existing Hudson Tunnels (also known as the North River Tunnels) on Amtrak’s Northeast Corridor (NEC) and criticized the plan currently under way to rehabilitate the Canarsie Tunnels in New York City. Both analyses omitted facts that indicate that Gateway’s Hudson Tunnel and Portal North Bridge projects are not as cost-effective or necessary as he made them appear. Later that day, the Gateway Corporation became a “Commission” with questionable fundraising authority. Despite that change, a former offer by New Jersey Transit (NJT) to impose a surcharge on future rail trips to and from New York has been scuttled, raising the question of how New Jersey can replace the money that would have come from the surcharge.

New York MTA officials were joined by “Equity in Infrastructure Project” (EIP) founders Phillip A. Washington and John D. Porcari, and Chicago Transit Authority President Dorval R. Carter, Jr., who also serves as EIP Chair, to sign the EIP pledge on March 7. (New York MTA Photograph).

Transit Briefs: NYMTA, SacRT, Metrolink, WMATA, NJT, Houston Metro

New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) signs the “Equity in Infrastructure Project” Pledge. Also, Sacramento Regional Transit District (SacRT) is developing mobility hubs at three light rail stations; Southern California’s Metrolink extends its fare-free pilot program for students; Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) marks improvements in ridership, customer satisfaction, public safety and fare collection while reducing expenses; New Jersey Transit (NJT) expands its partnership with Comcast Business; and Houston Metro (Metropolitan Transit Authority of Harris County, Tex.) selects Copperleaf to help improve asset management.

The Federal Railroad Administration has cleared Amtrak’s new Avelia Liberty trainsets to begin testing on the Northeast Corridor, according to The New York Times. (Amtrak Image)

Transit Briefs: Amtrak, Caltrain, Maryland DOT, Metra, Montreal ARTM, New York State

Amtrak’s “Avelia Liberty” trainsets are cleared for testing on the Northeast Corridor. Also, Caltrain celebrates 160 years of rail service from San Francisco to San Jose, Calif.; Maryland Gov. Wes Moore restores $150 million in transportation funding; Chicago’s Metra is launching a pilot program for reduced fares systemwide; the Montreal region’s transit authority (ARTM) is considering new transit options that would link downtown Montreal with the city’s western boroughs; and New York Gov. Kathy Hochul provides highlights of the proposed FY2025 budget, which includes funding for the planned Interborough Express and the Second Avenue Subway’s westward expansion.

Forty Creek® Canadian Whisky and Metrolinx will provide free rides on GO Transit and UP Express on New Year's Eve. (CNW Group/Campari Group Canada)

Transit Briefs: Metrolinx, NJ Transit, FTA, CTA, SFMTA, TTC

Metrolinx teams up with Canadian whisky brand Forty Creek to provide free rides on GO Transit and UP Express on New Year’s Eve. Meanwhile, NJ Transit’s systemwide beverage ban remains in effect, and the Federal Transit Authority (FTA) takes nationwide steps to address assaults on transit workers. Also, the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) kicks off a community engagement process to activate new spaces under new Red Line Tracks; the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency (SFMTA) introduces the first LRV4s with a new seating arrangement; Scarborough’s Rapid Transit (RT) trains could have a new home in Detroit; and NJ Transit sells a stuffed animal to support Ricardo the Bull.

Metrolinx photo

Transit Briefs: Metrolinx, STM, NYMTA, SEPTA

Metrolinx partners with MagnusCards. Also, the Société de transport de Montréal (STM) releases its 2024 budget; the New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) Board votes to begin the public review process for the Central Business District Tolling rate schedule; and the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) launches a new, user-friendly website.

Brightline on Nov. 1 provided a first look at a four-coach Orlando Health-branded train. (Screen Grab from Brightline Video)

Transit Briefs: Brightline, LACMTA, Metrolinx, SEPTA, Sound Transit

Brightline, Florida’s private-sector passenger railroad, unveils an Orlando Health-branded train. Also, Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (LACMTA) releases the Measure M five-year comprehensive assessment and equity report; ST Engineering wins platform screen door contract for Metrolinx’s Ontario Line; Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) will stop accepting fare tokens next year; and Sound Transit’s new fare compliance policy takes effect later this month.

(White House Graphic)

FRA Awards $16.4B for NEC Projects (UPDATED)

The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) on Nov. 6 reported awarding $16.4 billion for 25 passenger rail projects along the Northeast Corridor (NEC) through the Federal-State Partnership for Intercity Passenger Rail Program (Fed-State

Commentary

Troubled NEC Bridge Over Maryland Waters

Amtrak is working on a plan to replace the 117-year-old Howe deck truss bridge over the Susquehanna River between Perryville and Havre-de-Grace, Maryland, railroad west from Delaware and on the way to

CTA has released a Request for Proposals to the three pre-selected contracting teams that demonstrated the ability to design and build the $3.6 billion Red Line Extension in a Request for Qualifications process that began last year. (CTA Rendering)

Transit Briefs: CTA, Minn. Met Council, San Diego MTS, SBCTA, WMATA

Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) issues a Request for Proposals (RFP) to build Red Line Extension track structure and stations, and hits the ridership “million mark” on multiple days, a post-pandemic first. Also, Minnesota’s Metropolitan Council announces a grant agreement that will fund work on the Metro Transit Blue Line extension project through 2024; San Diego Metropolitan Transit System’s (MTS) Board signs off on measures to improve operations, accessibility and security; San Bernardino County Transportation Authority (SBCTA) takes delivery of the ZEMU (Zero-Emissions Multiple Unit) from Stadler; and Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) delays until next year the full switch to automatic train operations (ATO).

CTA crime was down in July, according to Chicago Police Department (CPD) statistics. (CTA Photograph Courtesy of FTA)

Transit Briefs: CTA, MARTA, Metro Transit, Metrolinx, SEPTA, Sound Transit, TTC

Crime declines at Chicago Transit Authority (CTA). Also, Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA) and Metro Transit in St. Louis reach labor agreements; Metrolinx will announce the long-overdue opening of Toronto’s Eglinton Crosstown Light Rail Transit (LRT) line; the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) will review Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority’s (SEPTA) maintenance and safety protocols; Seattle’s Sound Transit allows riders to track service performance in their neighborhoods; and Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) riders will soon be able to pay fares using Interac® Debit.

DART is adding more than 100 contract transit security officers to improve public safety and security for riders onboard its light rail vehicles and Trinity Railway Express commuter railcars and at stations. (DART Photograph)

Transit Briefs: DART, LACMTA, OC Transpo, WMATA, Amtrak

Contract transit security officers will join Dallas (Tex.) Area Rapid Transit’s (DART) police and fare enforcement officer team. Also, Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (LACMTA) provides a progress report on its strategic goals in FY 2023 and reviews plans for FY 2024; Ottawa’s OC Transpo expects to resume light rail service this month on its Confederation Line; Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) begins rolling out new, higher faregates to help prevent fare evasion; and Amtrak’s public art program showcases two new installations at New York Penn Station.

Aerial photo of a portion of West Broadway Avenue in north Minneapolis, the proposed route of the Blue Line light rail extension. (Met Council)

Transit Briefs: Minn. Met Council, NJ Transit, SEPTA, NTMTA, Calif. State Budget

The Minnesota Metropolitan (Met) Council’s Anti-Displacement Working Group makes recommendations on Blue Line Extension. Also, NJ Transit launches customer awareness campaign to promote kindness; the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) launches its Open Data Portal; the New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA)’s congestion pricing plan wins federal approval after comprehensive environmental review; and California Gov. Gavin Newsom and state lawmakers reach a deal on the 2023-2024 budget that includes $5.1 billion for transit capital funding.

Amtrak’s Adirondack train between New York and Montreal will now terminate at Albany-Rensselaer. The move comes just three months after the Adirondack restarted. It had been discontinued due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Transit Briefs: Amtrak, East-West Rail, REM, SkyTrain

Service on Amtrak’s New York City-Montreal Adirondack train is suspended north of Albany, N.Y. Also, east-west passenger rail projects in Palmer and Pittsfield, Mass., will advance with the addition of $12 million in the Massachusetts Department of Transportation’s (MassDOT) newest capital investment plan; final pre-commissioning starts this month for the Réseau express métropolitain (REM) between Brossard and Gare Centrale stations; and the launch of SkyTrain’s new Capstan Station in metro Vancouver has been delayed.

Exemplary Executives

RAILWAY AGE, MAY 2023 ISSUE: Railway Age’s 2023 honorees—selected by our subscribers—approach their roles with an entrepreneurial spirit, and a commitment to service, safety and sustainability.

RUN Conference Highlights National Issues

At an on-line conference on Friday, April 28, a number of regionally and nationally known presenters focused on expanding passenger rail in the Mid-Atlantic region and connectivity in that part of the

NJT, SEPTA, Metro-North at 40

RAILWAY AGE, APRIL 2023 ISSUE: Imagine going back 40 years to early 1983. The only passenger trains running along much of Amtrak’s Northeast Corridor (NEC) were operated by Amtrak itself. Otherwise, what