An LA Metro light rail train boards at LA Union Station. Metro has trimmed service with California under a “shelter in place” order. TRAINS: David Lassen A Saturday update on rail service changes and other responses to the COVID-19 virus. Because of the rapidly evolving situation, check with local service providers or Amtrak.com for the […]
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San Diego’s Coaster commuter trains will cut from 11 to six daily round trips on Monday. TRAINS: David Lassen California intercity, commuter, and transit rail operations have begun adjusting to the state’s shelter-in-place order issued Thursday night by Gov. Gavin Newsom as a result of the coronavirus pandemic. More changes can be expected. Here’s what […]
An NJ Transit train from Hoboken arrives at Secaucus Junction, N.J., in August 2019. NJ Transit is asking for $1.25 billion in federal aid because of the coronavirus pandemic. TRAINS: David Lassen More COVID-19 related rail news for Friday: — NJ Transit ridership is down 88%, leading the agency to ask for a $1.25 billion […]
More Friday rail news: — VIA Rail Canada has announced further service cuts because of the coronavirus pandemic, extending suspensions of the Montreal-Halifax Ocean, Toronto-Vancouver Canadian, and Jasper-Prince Rupert service until at least May 1, the CBC reports. Montreal-Senneterre and Montreal-Jonquiere, Quebec, trains will be reduced to one round trip per week, as will Sudbury-White […]
A Metra train passes through Elmwood Park, Ill., on March 13, 2020. Metra will cut weekday service by about half as of Monday. TRAINS: David Lassen Friday news on coronavirus-related changes in rail service: — Chicago’s Metra will cut service by about half beginning on Monday, March 23. There will be changes on every line […]
Lincoln Service train 302 speeds through Odell, Ill., on a 110-mph test segment in November 2016. It is one of the two Lincoln Service round trips cancelled as of Saturday. Bob Johnston CHICAGO — Beginning Saturday, March 21, Amtrak service on three Illinois routes out of Chicago will be reduced beginning Saturday, March 21. The […]
Still more Thursday rail news: — The trade organization for U.S. transit agencies is asking for more than $12 billion in federal emergency aid to help agencies deal with the increased costs and dramatic drop in ridership revenue stemming from the COVID-19 virus. In a “Call to Action” message to its members, the American Public […]
Thursday morning rail news: — A magnitude 5.7 earthquake near Salt Lake City shut down light rail service and disrupted FrontRunner commuter service Wednesday, but service has resumed today with some residual delays, the Utah Transit Authority reports. The earthquake, which struck at 7:09 a.m., caused widespread damage, but no serious injuries were reported, the […]
A look at Thursday news on the Union Pacific Railroad: — The U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit has turned down a Union Pacific challenge to a U.S. Department of Transportation rule requiring railroads to share information with states and Native American groups about trains carrying flammable materials. Reuters reports the 2-1 ruling […]
A Thursday morning update on COVID-19-related transit and commuter rail changes in California: — The Altamont Corridor Express has suspended its pilot program offering Saturday service, is reducing train size as of today, and will suspend westbound Train 07 and eastbound Train 10 as of Monday. Details are available here. With much of the San […]
A northbound Amtrak Hiawatha passes through Northbrook, Ill., on Feb. 23, 2020. Service frequency is being reduced for the Hiawatha and other Midwest trains. TRAINS: David Lassen CHICAGO — As part of its continuing response to coronavirus-related drops in ridership, Amtrak has made the first cuts to its Midwestern service, cancelling the Chicago-Grand Rapids, Mich., […]
