BOSTON — Massachusetts’ South Coast Rail commuter operation is now officially in service. The 37-mile addition to the MBTA commuter rail network launched today (March 24, 2025), with the Fall River Herald News reporting that well over 100 people were on hand to catch the first train, a scheduled 4:27 a.m. departure from New Bedford. […]
SEATTLE — Amtrak maintenance issues that caused cancellation of Sounder commuter service spilled over into Cascades intercity departures, with buses substituting for Seattle-Eugene, Ore., service because of a shortage of serviceable equipment. Meanwhile, Amtrak’s eastbound California Zephyr tried to fight its way through a dangerous Nebraska blizzard — and lost. Those were among the operational […]
OTTAWA, Ontario — The Canadian government has added to its financial commitment to the Hudson Bay Railway and the Port of Churchill, Manitoba, increasing its funding to Ca$175 million over the next five years. The funding announced Friday, March 21, will provide $125 million for operation and maintenance of the 627-mile railway, with a main […]
SAN JOSE, Calif. — The union representing striking Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority workers called off a scheduled contract vote on Saturday, as the VTA board called a special meeting today (Sunday, March 23) to consider its next steps. KRON-TV reports that a spokesman for Amalgamated Transit Union Local 265 said the vote was postponed […]
MONTREAL — The Canadian government has announced more than Ca$1.1 billion in additional funding for Quebec City’s light rail project and extension of Montreal’s subway Blue Line. The funding, announced Saturday, March 22, includes Ca$332.3 million for the Quebec City Tramway and more than Ca$650 million for the Metro Blue Line, as well as Ca$202.8 […]
Time and travel provide the topics for the latest edition of News Wire recommended reading, articles we consider worth calling to your attention: — Australia’s Financial Review features a collection of antique railway clocks kept in a secure location beneath Sydney’s Central Station, and the uncertain plans for the valuable timepieces. The clocks, made for […]
CARSON CITY, Nev. — A bill seeking a study of possible rail transit systems for the Las Vegas and Reno areas has advanced out of a Nevada legislative committee. Assembly Bill 256 would create a Regional Rail Transit Advisory Working Group to conduct a study of rail transit in Clark County, which includes Las Vegas […]
WATSONVILLE, Calif. — The Santa Cruz County Regional Transportation Commission has approved pursuing intercity rail service between Santa Cruz and Pajaro, Calif., rather than a light-rail alternative, while asking its staff to find an alternative to bridge repairs or replacement on that route that could cost almost $1 billion. The news site Santa Cruz Local […]
NEWARK, N.J. — Beginning Monday, March 24, NJ Transit is cutting ticket costs in half for travel from five stations shared by its Morristown and Montclair-Boonton lines to provide an alternative for commuters during the emergency closure of Interstate 80 in Wharton, N.J. The highway has been closed in both directions because of sinkholes likely […]
KENT, Texas — Approximately 33 cars of a Union Pacific manifest freight train derailed Friday in near the Culberson County community of Kent, KWES-TV reports. The derailment occurred about 5 a.m., a UP representative told the station. No one was injured and no hazardous materials were involved. The incident occurred near Interstate 10 about […]
LAS VEGAS, Nev. — Brightline West is in the middle of finalizing $6 billion of bank loans and contracts with construction companies for its $12 billion, 218-mile Las Vegas-Southern California high speed rail venture after selling more than $2.5 billion in private activity bonds, according to Tracy Larkin-Thomason, Director of Nevada’s Department of Transportation. The […]
BOSTON — The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority has received federal approval to begin South Coast Rail service, clearing the way for the launch of the expanded commuter rail operation on Monday, March 24. The Fall River Herald News reports the MBTA was informed the Federal Railroad Administration had granted approval on Friday, March 21, according […]
