NS Commits $400,000 to Combat ‘Food Insecurity’
NS on Sept. 28 announced a commitment of $400,000 in grants to 31 food banks located across the states served by the company.
news
Govt. of Canada, Canadian Rail Industry to Provide Rail Assistance to Ukraine
Minister of Transport Omar Alghabra on Sept. 28 met with the Minister of Infrastructure of Ukraine, the Ambassador of Ukraine and officials from the Railway Association of Canada (RAC) during the International Civil Aviation Organization’s (ICAO) 41st Assembly to “identify areas of collaborative rail assistance to Ukraine.”
TransLink’s Hui Among ‘Next-Gen Train Control’ Presenters
TransLink Director Systems Engineering William Hui will present on “The Evolution of TransLink’s ATC Program.” He will touch on how the ATC program had its roots in 2012, delivering SOGR projects, but
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IBEW Members Ratify Freight Rail Agreement (UPDATED)
The National Carriers’ Conference Committee (NCCC), which represents most U.S. Class I freight railroads in national collective bargaining, announced on Sept. 28 that the membership of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) has ratified the tentative labor agreement.
Week 38: U.S. Rail Traffic Behind 2021 Levels
U.S. freight rail traffic dipped in Week 38, compared with the prior-year period, as carloads were down 3.2% and intermodal volume fell 5.4%, the Association of American Railroads (AAR) reported for the week ending Sept. 24, 2022.
Transit Briefs: Amtrak, CTDOT, CTA, MARTA, Metrolinx, SacRT, Tri-Rail
Amtrak® Pacific Surfliner® trains now include upgraded Business Class equipment. Also, Shore Line East, Connecticut Department of Transportation’s (CTDOT) commuter rail service between New London and New Haven, may be expanded to Rhode Island; Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) has installed security camera monitors in all rail station customer service booths; Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA) marked the official opening of StationSoccer and released a Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) Request for Proposals (RFP); Metrolinx’s GO expansion is progressing along the Barrie Line; Sacramento Regional Transit District (SacRT) offers tips to “help clear the air” in recognition of California Clean Air Day (Oct. 5); and Tri-Rail, South Florida’s regional passenger railroad, will not reach downtown Miami in 2022.
People News: Keolis, Icomera
Keolis North America (Keolis) appoints Tavares Brewington as Executive Vice President for Legal, Risk and Compliance. Also, Icomera appoints Gabriel J. Lopez-Bernal as President.
Elavon Launches Mass Transit Payments
Payment processing solutions company Elavon, a wholly owned subsidiary of U.S. Bank, launched on Sept. 27 Mass Transit Payments, “a streamlined way for public transit agencies and private providers of all sizes to offer contactless payment acceptance from any enabled card or mobile device.”
NS, CSX Prep for Ian
As Hurricane Ian makes its way to the Florida Gulf Coast, with landfall expected between Sept. 28 and Sept. 30, Class I railroads Norfolk Southern (NS) and CSX are taking precautions to prepare for the storm’s impact.
CHSRA Issues Draft EIR/EIS for Palmdale-Burbank Segment (UPDATED)
The California High-Speed Rail Authority (CHSRA) on Sept. 2 released for public review the Draft Environmental Impact Report/Environmental Impact Statement (EIR/EIS) for the Palmdale-Burbank segment of its 500-mile Phase 1 system from San Francisco to Los Angeles/Anaheim. Update: The public comment period has been extended by 30 days.
Baldwin Rail Reg Bill Will Probably Burn Out
Senate Commerce Committee member Tammy Baldwin (D-Wisc.) has introduced a yet-to-be-numbered rail regulatory bill, the Reliable Rail Service Act (downloadable, below), which is virtually identical to a House companion bill, H.R. 8649, the Freight
CSX: ‘Santa Train’ Returning Nov. 19
Marking its 80th anniversary, the CSX Santa Train will be back on the rails this year for the first time since 2019, the Class I reported Sept. 27.
Farmer Among ‘Rail Insights: Women in Rail’ Headliners
BNSF President and CEO Katie Farmer will top the lineup for Railway Age’s inaugural Rail Insights: Women in Rail Conference, to be held virtually on Nov. 10. Hearing from leading industry women like Farmer is just one reason to participate. Need more? Here are five.
NCCC, Machinists Reach Agreement (UPDATED)
The National Carriers Conference Committee (NCCC), representing most Class I railroads and many smaller ones, has reached a second tentative agreement with the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (Machinists). The
Transit Briefs: Metrolinx, Amtrak, SEPTA, MBTA, WMATA
Metrolinx’s contactless payment hits milestone after recent launch. Also, Idaho leaders want Amtrak rail service to return to the Mountain West; the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) offers new way for customers to report cleanliness issues on system; the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) launches online applications for TAP and blind access customers; and a D.C. Council committee advances bill that would give D.C. residents $100 a month to ride the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority’s (WMATA) Metrorail and Metrobus.
Biofuel Facilities Eligible for USDA Grants (UPDATED)
The U.S. Department of Agriculture is awarding $100 million in grants through its Higher Blends Infrastructure Incentive Program to expand infrastructure for renewable fuels sourced from U.S. agricultural products (biodiesel, ethanol, etc.).
Commentary
Who Spilled the Beans on Binding Arbitration?
Railway Age’s Frank N. Wilner seems to have been hiding in the HVAC ducts above Labor Secretary Marty Walsh’s office Sept. 15, observing what really transpired between rail labor and carrier management
California Orders 29 HFC Trains for Intercity Services (UPDATED)
Stadler, the California State Transportation Agency (CalSTA) and the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the design and delivery of four zero-emission HFC (hydrogen fuel cell)
Patriot Rail to Acquire Delta Southern Railroad
Jacksonville, Fla.-based Patriot Rail Company LLC will expand its small-railroad portfolio for the second time in as many months with the acquisition of Delta Southern Railroad (DSRR), which operates two line segments in Louisiana. Financial terms were not disclosed.
Small-Road Briefs: CTDOT, WisDOT
The Connecticut Department of Transportation (CTDOT) is soliciting comments on its Draft State Rail Plan Update. Also, Gov. Tony Evers, along with the Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT), announces nearly $8 million in grants and loans for Wisconsin’s Freight Railroad Assistance Program (FRPP).