FTA awards 100 million each to rail transit projects in three states NEWSWIRE

FTA_Logo01copy

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Transit Administration has awarded $300 million in federal funding allocations to three rail transit projects in Arizona, California, and Washington. Funding is provided through FTA’s Capital Investment Grants Program. FTA is allocating $100 million in appropriated Fiscal Year 2019 funding for each of the following projects: The […]

Read More…

New York City Transit touts highest on-time performance in six years NEWSWIRE

NYC_Subway

NEW YORK – New York City Transit continues its subway performance improvements that have been achieved since the launch of the Subway Action Plan and the Save Safe Seconds campaign. Most notably, subway on-time performance hit 81.5% in June, the first time it’s been above 80% in almost six years. The program, launched by Gov. […]

Read More…

Amtrak shortens three New Orleans routes, freight traffic shuts down for pending tropical storm NEWSWIRE

NewOrleansstreetcar

A Canal Street streetcar in 2018. The system was shut down briefly by heavy rains on Wednesday. Bob Johnston NEW ORLEANS – With all of the Crescent City’s 200 flood gates set to shut by Friday in advance of approaching Tropical Storm Barry, Amtrak has cancelled all service in and out of New Orleans through […]

Read More…

Canadian Pacific dome car ‘Selkirk’ joins passenger car fleet NEWSWIRE

CPdomeSelkirk

‘Selkirk’ rests beneath the Calgary skyline. Canadian Pacific CALGARY, Alberta – Canadian Pacific dome car Selkirk entered service with the railroads Heritage Fleet this summer after an extensive rebuilding. The ex-Southern Pacific dome was rebuilt in the former locomotive shop at Ogden Yard in Calgary under the supervision of Kevin Hrysak, senior manager of heritage […]

Read More…

Amtrak fare sale has restrictions, but no blackout dates NEWSWIRE

Amtrak_Sale_Johnston

Eastbound Wolverine No. 352 pounds across the South Shore diamond at Michigan City, Ind., on July 3, 2019. While Amtrak is offering a sale on coach fares, Wolverine fares illustrate that the discount is not offered on all dates and trips. Bob Johnston WASHINGTON — Amtrak’s latest fare sale is offering “Amtrak Across America” discounts […]

Read More…

New Long Island Rail Road station planned for Belmont Park NEWSWIRE

LIRR_Station

An artist’s conception shows the new Elmont station for the Long Island Rail Road. Empire State Development ELMONT, N.Y. — A new Long Island Rail Road station will be built at Belmont Park as part of a project that will also include a new arena for hockey’s New York Islanders, along with a hotel and […]

Read More…

Fact-finding meeting set for Mobile on Gulf Coast passenger service NEWSWIRE

Gulf_Coast_1_Johnston

Crowds greet a New Orleans-Jacksonville, Fla., inspection train at Mobile, Ala., on Feb. 18, 2016, at the former site of the Amtrak station once served by the Sunset Limited. A meeting is scheduled for this week in Mobile to address city council concerns about the planned revival of passenger service on the route. Bob Johnston […]

Read More…

MBTA makes $10 weekend fare permanent NEWSWIRE

MBTA

BOSTON — The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority’s on-again, off-again trial of $10 weekend commuter-train tickets has been made permanent. The weekend fares, for unlimited Saturday and Sunday travel, were made permanent as part of a fare increase that went into effect on July 1, despite some protests across the MBTA system. [See “Elected officials join […]

Read More…

Weather disrupting Amtrak service near Washington NEWSWIRE

WASHINGTON — Service on and south of Amtrak’s Northeast Corridor is being disrupted by flooding near Washington, D.C. About 10 a.m. EDT, Amtrak said on its Northeast Corridor alerts Twitter feed that all trains travelling south of Washington were stopped because of severe weather conditions. Tracks began to be cleared for traffic about two hours […]

Read More…

Amtrak operating modified ‘Keystone’ schedule today as repairs continue (updated) NEWSWIRE

Amtrak2

PHILADELPHIA — As repairs continue on overhead wires following a major storm earlier this week, Amtrak is operating Keystone Service on a modified schedule between Philadelphia and Harrisburg, Pa. Eight westbound and eight eastbound Keystone trains will operate today, plus the New York-Pittsburgh Pennsylvanian in both directions. Normally, there are 13 Keystone trains in each […]

Read More…

Q&A: MARTA General Manager Jeffrey Parker NEWSWIRE

MARTA_GM_Parker

MARTA General Manager Jeffrey Parker MARTA MARTA’s plans include several new rail projects. MARTA ATLANTA — The Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority has set a timeline for a major system expansion, with projects including 29 new miles of light rail and a 2-mile extension of the Atlanta Streetcar. Jeffrey Parker, MARTA’s general manager and a […]

Read More…

Groundbreaking marks start of work on MBTA’s South Coast extension NEWSWIRE

MBTA_Braintree_Hartley

Inbound and outbound trains on the MBTA’s Middlesborough/Lakeville line meet in Braintree, Mass., in 2010. Groundbreaking ceremonies on Tuesday marked the start of work to extend the line to New Bedford and Fall River, Mass. Scott A. Hartley FREETOWN, Mass. — Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker was among more than 40 politicians and government officials on […]

Read More…