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 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., […]
Metro-North trains meet near the 125th Street station in Harlem. Metro-North’s parent, the Metropolitan Transportation Authority, is seeking $4 billion in aid because of reduced ridership. TRAINS: David Lassen More coronavirus-related rail news for Wednesday morning: — New York’s Metropolitan Transportation Authority is asking for $4 billion in federal aid in the wake of a […]
Florida’s Brightline has joined the list of rail operators reducing service because of the coronavirus outbreak. TRAINS: David Lassen Wednesday afternoon rail news: — U.S. Rep. Dan Lipinski, chairman of the House Subcommittee on Railroads, Pipelines, and Hazardous Materials, has been defeated in the Democratic primary for Illinois’ 3rd Congressional District. Lipinski was defeated by […]
A Wednesday morning update on rail service changes in response to the COVID-19 outbreak: — After introducing reduced service on Tuesday, the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority has made some adjustments beginning today, reflecting Tuesday usage. The agency will add morning Blue Line service, additional Green Line E branch service — in part to support workforce […]
Passengers board the Missouri River Runner at Kirkwood, Mo., in 2014. A state house committee has voted to overturn a plan which would cut the service from two round trips to one. Bob Johnston More Tuesday morning rail news: — Amtrak says it and its state partners will need $1 billion in assistance as a […]
Intercity, commuter, and local passenger rail systems contine to adjust to the COVID-19 outbreak. Here are the latest service changes as of Tuesday morning: — Amtrak has announced further reductions. Because Amtrak continues to adjust schedules, check Amtrak.com or Amtrak smartphone apps for the latest status. Here are changes as of Monday evening: – Effective […]
Atlas Model Railroad Co. hopes to recruit a new generation of hobbyists into model railroading with its new Trainkids line. The first offering under this new brand is a passenger train set inspired by Amtrak’s high-speed Northeast Corridor train, the Acela Express. The set comes with a battery-powered locomotive/first-class car set, two more passenger cars, […]
Amtrak’s Auto Train prepares to leave Lorton, Va., on January 29, 2020. Bob Johnston WASHINGTON — As Amtrak reduces frequencies in the Northeast and consults with its state partners about reductions on regional corridors, the country’s coronavirus situation is leading to atypical traffic on the Auto Train route, and having at least a temporary impact […]
Responding to the coronavirus outbreak, the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority and Virginia Railway Express have announced service reductions effective Tuesday, March 17. MBTA subway and trolley lines, along with most buses, will operate on Saturday schedule. Commuter trains will also operate on reduced schedules. Ferrys will not operate. Details are available here. In a news […]
