Union Pacific claims it will suffer “millions of dollars in losses and incur millions in additional risk” if forced to continue to operate commuter rail service for Metra, according to the previously sealed lawsuit it filed against the commuter rail agency last December. The lawsuit filed with the U.S. District Court for the Northern District […]
CHICAGO — The depth of disagreement between Metra and Union Pacific over commuter rail service on three Chicago-area UP lines is visible in Metra filings with the U.S. Surface Transportation Board seeking to ensure UP continues to provide service on those lines. In two filings on Tuesday, Metra asks that the STB to rule that […]
CHICAGO — Metra has asked the Surface Transportation Board to issue an injunction to prevent Union Pacific from acting on plans that the commuter railroad says would “degrade or halt service” on the three Metra lines operated by UP. In a press release, Metra also says it has asked the STB to rule whether UP […]
Texas Central’s regulatory path to the start of high speed rail service between Dallas and Houston has become more complex. Reversing an earlier decision, the Surface Transportation Board has ruled that the proposed service will qualify as part of the interstate rail network and therefore is under to the board’s jurisdiction, and that the company […]
More Thursday rail news in brief: NJ Transit board approves purchase of eight Bombardier locomotives NJ Transit’s board of directors has approved the purchase of eight Bombardier ALP-45A dual-mode locomotives, adding to a purchase of 17 of the locomotives that was approved in 2017. The new order will cost approximately $70.5 million, with delivery expected […]
Tuesday morning rail news in brief: New Jersey governor lifts 50% capacity limit for NJ Transit New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy has lifted the 50% capacity limit on NJ Transit trains, light rail, and buses as of Wednesday evening. New Jersey Business magazine reports Murphy said the decision was “in anticipation of the fact that […]
More Monday morning rail news: New Mexico Rail Runner running five times a day — with no passengers While the New Mexico Rail Runner commuter train continues to run five times a day — to maintain crew proficiency and test positive train control — there are still no plans for allowing riders to return to […]
Saturday morning rail news: TSB report cites CN crew error in sideswipe accident with VIA train The Transportation Safety Board of Canada has released its report on a September 2019 sideswipe collision between a VIA Rail Canada train and two tank cars in Ernestown, Ontario, finding that switching moves by a Canadian National crew caused […]
Thursday morning rail news in brief: UP says it will end some support of Metra in August, would quit running trains in 90 days if it wins suit Union Pacific says it will stop providing some support services for Metra at the end of August and would stop operating trains for the commuter railroad within […]
More Wednesday rail news in brief: Metra tests ridership dashboard Metra has joined the list of commuter railroads providing online ridership information to help passengers make decisions on finding less-crowded trains. The ridership dashboard, a test program, will classify trains according to four levels of occupancy: low (green), with an average of less than 50 […]
Commuter rail news in brief for July 6: In pilot program, GO Transit to introduce plastic dividers between seats Toronto area transit agency Metrolinx will introduce clear plastic dividers between seats on some GO Transit trains this week, expanding a pilot program that has placed similar dividers on 30 GO Transit buses. Five trains are […]
Still more Monday morning rail news: Dow to sell rail operations to Watco Dow Inc. will sell its rail infrastructure and operations at six sites to Watco for more than $310 million, the chemical giant announced today. The two companies will also enter long-term service agreements to continue to provide service to Dow businesses at […]
