BOSTON — Boston-area government leaders are calling for a 15-cent increase in Massachusetts’ gas tax to help fund transit and roadway projects. The State House News Service reports that Boston Mayor Martin Walsh, along with members of the Metropolitan Mayors Coalition, the North Shore Coalition, and the Commuter Rail Communities Coalition, have called on Massachusetts […]
Type of Train: Passenger/Transit
Jury awards $4.5 million to woman injured in ‘Cascades’ wreck NEWSWIRE
A passenger on Amtrak Cascades train No. 501 has been awarded $4.5 million from a jury after being injured in the 2017 wreck. Steve Carter TACOMA, Wash. — A jury in Washington has awarded a woman $4.5 million nearly two years after she was injured in the derailment of an Amtrak Cascades train as it […]
New Lenox, Ill., approves bid for new Metra station NEWSWIRE
The Village of New Lenox, Ill., has awarded a contract to build a new Metra station, replacing one closed and moved in 2018. TRAINS: David Lassen NEW LENOX, Ill. — The Village of New Lenox has approved an $8.6 million bid to build a new Metra station. John Burns Construction Co., which had the lowest […]
Stadler to build hydrogen-powered train for Southern California service NEWSWIRE
A rendering of the hydrogen-powered train Stadler will build for use in Southern California. It will be the first hydrogen-powered passenger trainset in the U.S. Stadler SALT LAKE CITY — Swiss manufacturer Stadler has signed a contract with the San Bernardino County (Calif.) Transportation Authority to build the first hydrogen-powered trains for use in the […]
State senate panel holds first hearing on NJ Transit NEWSWIRE
Afternoon rush-hour trains await passengers at NJ Transit’s Hoboken Terminal. The station hosted the first of a series of hearings into NJ Transit issues by a group of state legislators on Wednesday. Ralph Spielman HOBOKEN, N.J. — At a jammed two-hour meeting Wednesday, vexed NJ Transit commuters told a committee chaired by State Senate leader […]
Amtrak policies challenged at House hearing NEWSWIRE
In a photo taken from a video feed, Rail Passenger Association President Jim Mathews holds up his “survival pack” for long-distance Amtrak travel during Wednesday’s House hearing. Bob Johnston An Amtrak San Joaquin heads south from Madera, Calif., on Oct 21, 2019. The executive director of the San Joaquin Joint Powers Authority expressed her frustrations […]
Charlotte approves $50 million light rail study NEWSWIRE
CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The Charlotte City Council has approved a $50 million study of the proposed Silver Line extension of its LNYX light rail system. The study will take two to three years, preparing for a project that may not begin construction until 2027 and begin service in 2030. WCNC-TV reports the council voted 8-2 […]
DOT announces $900 million in BUILD grants (updated) NEWSWIRE
WASHINGTON — Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao on Tuesday announced 55 projects in 35 states which will receive funding under the Better Utilizing Investments to Leverage Development grants, with funding totaling $900 million. Half of the funds were awarded to projects in rural areas, with a maximum award of $25 million for a single project and no […]
MBTA commuter train operates with door open on packed coach NEWSWIRE
BOSTON — Keolis Commuter Services, operator of Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority commuter trains, says it is investigating a Tuesday incident in which a packed train operated with one coach door open. WHDH-TV reports that a commuter on the Middleboro-bound train from Boston’s South Station tweeted that “there were people holding on for their life … […]
MTA commuter lines update PTC progress NEWSWIRE
An inbound Metro-North train approaches the Park Avenue Tunnel on its way to Grand Central Terminal. Metro-North’s president outlined positive train control progress and other improvements under the railroad’s Way Ahead program at a Tuesday meeting. Ralph Spielman NEW YORK — Metro-North President Cathy Rinaldi offered a favorable report on efforts by her railroad and […]
‘Zephyr’ detoured after BNSF derailment in Iowa on Wednesday NEWSWIRE
MCPHERSON, Iowa — BNSF Railway crews are working to re-open a stretch of Iowa main line closed early Wednesday after a derailment in the western part of the state. According to a BNSF service advisory, a train derailed near McPherson about 3:30 a.m., blocking the main line. A railroad representative did not respond to a […]
California High Speed rail project completes environmental review for route to Bakersfield NEWSWIRE
SACRAMENTO — The California High-Speed Rail Authority has completed the environmental review process for the 23-mile from Shafter, Calif., to Bakersfield, allowing the authority to move toward construction into Bakersfield. The process required more than 100 stakeholder meetings, 17 public and technical-group meetings, and 15 monthly meetings coordinating regulatory agencies. More details are available here. […]
