Amtrak carried more passengers in its 2024 fiscal year (October 2023-September 2024) than at any time in the company’s 53-year history. The milestone was achieved primarily by adding Northeast Corridor frequencies and deploying enough passenger cars on its main East Coast artery to meet expanding travel demand. Nationwide, however, it was a different story. While […]
WASHINGTON — Just before adjourning last weekend, the U.S. Senate confirmed four nominees to Amtrak’s Board of Directors who are in position to bring different perspectives and active oversight to the organization. The last-minute legislative action early Saturday morning was championed by Senate Commerce Committee Chair Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.) [see “Senate confirms four for Amtrak […]
EAST CHICAGO, Ind. — Amtrak Michigan service is dealing with cancellations today because of a Norfolk Southern derailment Sunday in northwestern Indiana. NS said in a statement that eight cars of ethanol derailed on a train traveling through Gary, Ind., at about 10:35 p.m., resulting in a spill of about 250 gallons of ethanol from […]
NEW YORK — Operating issues continue for Amtrak on the Northeast Corridor today (Dec. 23), well over 24 hours after disruptions began because of downed overhead power lines near Philadelphia. The signal issues reported reported an an Amtrak advisory at 4:30 a.m. today have now been resolved, the company says in a 2:30 p.m. ET […]
ST. LOUIS — After attempting to rectify “ongoing mechanical issues” following the westbound Texas Eagle’s on-time arrival in St. Louis on Saturday evening, Dec. 21, Amtrak decided to cancel the train across the rest of its route to San Antonio, Tex., leaving Texas travelers with a lump of coal. An advisory at 11:50 p.m., more […]
WASHINGTON — The U.S. House of Representatives has passed a bill requiring Amtrak to report annually to Congress on its progress in improving stations to stations with the Americans with Disabilities Act. The bill, previously passed by the Senate, now goes to President Joe Biden for his signature. S.4107, the Think Differently Transportation Act, was […]
NEW YORK — Delays continue as Amtrak continues to restore operations between Philadelphia and New York after a suspension for much of the morning because of downed overhead power wires today (Dec. 22, 2024) near Philadelphia’s 30th Street Station. Amtrak’s latest update, as of 1:30 p.m. ET, says two of the four tracks in the […]
WASHINGTON — The U.S. Senate has confirmed four nominees for the Amtrak board of directors, the first time the legislative body has confirmed a majority of the 10-member board in almost a decade. Senate records indicate David Capozzi, Elaine Clegg, Ronald Batory, and Lanhee Chen were confirmed by voice vote during a Friday session that […]
MOLINE, Ill. — An exceptionally long-running effort to launch Amtrak service to the Quad Cities of Illinois and Iowa may be extended even longer, if some federal lawmakers have their way. Three members of Illinois’ congressional delegation — U.S. Sens. Dick Durbin and Tammy Duckworth, and U.S. Rep. Eric Sorensen — have written Transportation Secretary […]
The North American passenger rail landscape in 2024 included a number of service debuts, some so noteworthy that they earned a spot in the year’s top stories, which will appear through Dec. 31. But the overarching theme was continued growth punctuated by intermittent operating lapses. Leading the way with new ridership achievements — thanks, in […]
KEARNY, N.J. — Amtrak has awarded contracts for another major Northeast Corridor project, the Sawtooth Bridge replacement, the company announced Thursday, Dec. 19. A Skansa, Walsh & Herzog joint venture received the contract for pre-construction activities, with future contract opportunities for the project’s full construction. A joint venture of AECOM and STV also received a […]
CHICAGO — Days after a challenge from federal legislators, Amtrak and its partners have applied for four grants which would enable more than $500 million in improvements as part of the program to upgrade Chicago Union Station and related infrastructure. The grant requests for elements of the Chicago Hub Improvement Program met a Dec. 16 […]
