FTA has no plans to take over MBTA, administrator says

Rapid-transit train at station. Governor reacts following more close calls on MBTA.

BOSTON — The Federal Transit Administration has no plans to take over operations of the troubled Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority, FTA Administrator Nuria Fernandez said during a Friday hearing that also saw sharp criticism of MBTA management by Massachusetts’ two U.S. senators. U.S. Sens. Elizabeth Warren and Ed Markey, both Democrats, took part in the […]

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Iowa town passes resolution against CP-KCS merger

Red locomotive with gondola cars

PRINCETON, Iowa — The town of Princeton has become the latest in Iowa to formally oppose the Canadian Pacific-Kansas City Southern merger, citing concerns over blocked grade crossings, noise, and risks from derailments, among other concerns. The Quad Cities Times reports Mayor Kevin Kernan wrote in an emailed statement that “City officials understand that the […]

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Two workers killed when hit by PATCO train on bridge

View from side of bridge with rapid-transit train below and Philadelphia in distance

CAMDEN, N.J. — Two construction workers were killed Friday night when stuck by a PATCO train on the Ben Franklin Bridge linking Philadelphia and Camden, the Camden Courier-Post reported. The workers were struck by a westbound train on the PATCO (Port Authority Transit Corp.) Speedline, which operates between Philadelphia and Lindenwold, N.J. A Delaware River […]

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Metra releases draft budget, new strategic plan

Commuter train arrives at station on curve

CHICAGO — Commuter rail operator Metra has released a proposed 2023 operating budget of $980 million that includes several options for continuing to discount monthly passes and simplifying other aspects of its fare structure, as well as plans for more than $500 million in capital spending. The agency is also soliciting comment on a newly […]

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Canadian government announces steps to streamline shipping regulations

Locomotive moving cars of containers with ship and dock in background

WINNIPEG, Manitoba — The Canadian government on Thursday announced a series of steps to streamline shipping regulations and improve use of digital information in Canada’s supply chain, moves Transport Minister Omar Alghabra described as “a first step toward addressing recommendations by the National Supply Chain task force.” The moves announced Thursday, backed by a government […]

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Cleanup continues after shortline derailment in Idaho

String of derailed freight cars

TWIN FALLS, Idaho — Cleanup continued Thursday after about a dozen cars of an Eastern Idaho Railroad derailed Wednesday night, KMTV reports. No injuries or hazardous-materials situation were reported as a result of the accident, which blocked Hankins Road in the southern Idaho community. The Eastern Idaho Railroad, a Watco property, operates 385 route-miles in […]

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STB establishes office to probe Amtrak delays on host railroads (updated)

Amtrak train reaches grade crossing

WASHINGTON – The Surface Transportation Board has created a passenger rail office that will be responsible for investigating and analyzing Amtrak on-time performance on host railroads. The Passenger Rail Investment and Improvement Act of 2008 authorizes the STB to investigate the causes of substandard passenger rail on-time performance, to identify mitigating measures, and, under specified […]

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BNSF ordered to pay $228 million in suit over fingerprint data

BNSF Railway logo

CHICAGO — BNSF Railway has been ordered to pay $228 million in a federal class-action lawsuit after a jury found that the railroad violated Illinois state law by collecting employee fingerprints without prior consent. The decision is the first in a case involving the state’s Biometric Information Privacy Act, the first law passed by a […]

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