Thursday afternoon rail news:
— In the latest in a series of efforts to stop construction of a high speed rail line between Dallas and Houton, a group of Texas state legislators have written the U.S. Department of Transportation, asking it to halt work on the Texas Central Railway project. The Bryan-College Station Eagle reports that the letter written by state Rep. Ben Leman (R-Brenham, Texas) and signed by more than two dozen other lawmakers claims Texas Central lacks the financial resources or expertise needed for the project, and to allow the project to proceed “would be an inexecusable waste of taxpayer dollars and jeopardizes the integrity of the rulemaking process at the Federal Railroad Administration.” The FRA recently released proposed rulemaking for the high speed operation, and the final Environmental Impact Statement, which would set the route and provide approval to begin construction, is expected soon.
— Phoenix-area transit agency Valley Metro will reduce light rail service as of Saturday. Monday through Saturday, the system will operate with 15-minute frequencies from 4 a.m. to 6 p.m. and 20-minute frequencies during evening hours, with no Friday and Saturday late-night service. Sunday service will remain unchanged.
— Ontario Northland has suspended operation of the Polar Bear Express, its Cochran-Moosonee, Ont., passenger trai. The service was suspended as of April 7, in consultation with the provincial government, First Nations groups, and other local agencies, due to “heightened concern for vulnerable people in remote communities,” Northern Ontario Business reports. The service had previously been cut from four to two round trips weekly. The status of the service will be evaluated every two weeks.
