Rail projects not likely to be part of Houston transit plan presented to voters NEWSWIRE

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HOUSTON — The Houston Metro transit agency is preparing to go to voters for approval of long-term transit plans, but some possible rail projects won’t be presented to voters. A proposal for a light rail line along Washington Avenue to downtown is not far enough along to be included in the first round of projects. […]

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Amtrak suing SEPTA in rent dispute NEWSWIRE

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PHILADELPHIA — Amtrak is suing the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority in federal court, as it seeks a dramatic increase in rent in a dispute over land SEPTA leases along the Northeast Corridor. Since 1987, SEPTA has paid $1 a year for land along the corridor it uses for stations and parking lots; the transit agency […]

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MTA passes resolution calling for ban on repeat offenders NEWSWIRE

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NEW YORK — The Metropolitan Transportation Authority board has passed a resolution supporting the right to ban repeat criminal offenders from subways and buses. The resolution was proposed at a committee meeting on Monday by board member Sarah Feinberg, the former head of the Federal Railroad Administration [See “New York MTA to consider subway, bus […]

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Amtrak’s Anderson, witnesses spar over PTC, ‘Chief’ in Senate hearing (updated) NEWSWIRE

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Passengers wait to board the Southwest Chief at Las Vegas, N.M., on Oct. 4, 2018. The Chief‘s future was a bone of contention during a Wednesday Senate hearing on Amtrak. Bob Johnston WASHINGTON, D.C. — Amtrak president and CEO Richard Anderson told senators at a hearing on Capitol Hill Wednesday that Congress should require positive […]

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Mobile, Ala., council delays action on resolution supporting return of Amtrak NEWSWIRE

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Crowds greet a New Orleans-Jacksonville, Fla., Amtrak inspection train at Mobile, Ala., on Feb. 18, 2016. Mobile’s city council has delayed action on a motion to support the retur of Amtrak service. Bob Johnston MOBILE, Ala. — Mobile’s city council has delayed action on a proposal asking Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey to commit funds to […]

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NJ Transit train cancellations increase as engineers refuse OT work NEWSWIRE

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NEWARK, N.J. — NJ Transit commuter train engineers are refusing to work overtime on scheduled days off, leading to more cancelled trains. NJ.com reports that the move is in protest of a contract violation. James P. Brown, general chairman for the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers NJ Transit Local, told the news organization that NJ Transit […]

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L Train work on or ahead of schedule, MTA told NEWSWIRE

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An L Train subway arrives at Union Square in Manhattan in March 2019. Tunnel work on the L Train route is proceeding on or ahead of schedule. Ralph Spielman NEW YORK — The Metropolitan Transportation Authority received good news about its L Train tunnel habilitation at Monday’s Subway and Bus Committee Meeting: the project is […]

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MBTA assembles expert panel to review operations NEWSWIRE

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BOSTON — A former U.S. Secretary of Transportation will be part of a three-member panel assembled by the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority to examine its operations, the Boston Herald reports. Ray LaHood, Secretary of Transportation in the Obama Administration, will be part of the “safety review panel,” along with Carolyn Flowers, a former acting head […]

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New York MTA to consider subway, bus ban for repeat criminal offenders NEWSWIRE

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A New York Transit Authority No. 1 train reaches its South Ferry terminus in May 2019. The Metropolitan Transit Authority will consider a move to ban repeat criminal offenders from its subways and buses. Ralph Spielman NEW YORK — The Metropolitan Transportation Authority will consider a motion to ban repeat criminal offenders from its subway […]

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News Analysis: VIA’s ‘high frequency’ plan gets funding, but only for a study

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MONTREAL — The Government of Canada and the Canada Infrastructure Bank, an “arm’s length” Crown corporation formed to fund big transportation projects, announced Tuesday that they will help finance an exploration of VIA Rail Canada’s proposed separate rail line in the Quebec City-Toronto Corridor. The government and infrastructure bank will commit C$71.1 million ($54 million […]

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Railcar manufacturer CRRC a target in U.S.-China trade war NEWSWIRE

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Officials including U.S. Sen. Richard Durbin (second from left) and then-mayor of Chicago Rahm Emanuel (fifth from left) participate in the 2017 groundbreaking for the CRRC Sifang factory in Chicago. CRRC, which is manufacturing new Chicago Transit Authority cars at the plant, is a target in the U.S.-China trade war. TRAINS: David Lassen Workers continue […]

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Utah Transit Authority names new executive director NEWSWIRE

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SALT LAKE CITY — The Utah Transit Authority has named Carolyn Gonot as its new executive director, ending a six-month search. The Salt Lake Tribune reports that Gonot is the first woman to hold the position for the agency, which operates the FrontRunner commuter rail line, along with TRAX light rail and bus service. She […]

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