Short line company Pioneer Railcorp becomes Pioneer Lines
Holding company Pioneer Railcorp, which operates 15 railroads in 12 states as well as related services such as transloading and storage, has changed its name to Pioneer Lines. The change comes as the company marks 35 years in business, and two years after it was acquired by BRX Transportation Holdings LLC. “The new name — Pioneer Lines — reflects the modernization of the company and our efforts to broaden our business objectives,” CEO Alex Yeros said in a press release. “As a company with its roots in rail freight, our team is proud of the role we have played over the last three decades in bringing economic vitality to the local communities in which we operate.” Since the acquisition by BRX, the company says a new executive team has introduced new management processes and worked to better understand shippers needs and rebuild lines and relationships. The company also introduced a new logo and will unveil logos for each of its railroads. More information is available at the company website.
Massachusetts legislators’ bill would provide $25 billion for passenger rail projects
Three members of the Massachusetts congressional delegation have reintroduced a bill which would authorize $5 billion a year for five years for passenger rail projects serving unconnected or underconnected communities. Sens. Edward J. Market and Elizabeth Warren and Congressman James P. McGovern, all Democrats, have introduced the bill with the unwieldy name of the Building Rail Across Intercity Networks to Ride Around Interior of the Nation (or BRAIN TRAIN) Act. In addition to considering underserved communities, the bill would instruct the U.S. Department of Transportation to award those funds based on estimated levels of ridership, increased on-time performance, reduced trip time, or additional frequency, as well as anticipated favorable impact on air or traffic congestion and safety. It also requires that preference goes to projects improving connections between multiple modes of transportation, improve rail operations, and have a positive environmental impact, among other criteria. The full bill is available here. “Passenger rail is an essential ingredient for a healthy economy, a healthy environment, and a healthy workforce,” Markey said in a press release. “… As we now flesh out the details and put together a comprehensive infrastructure package, we must ensure that we are building a passenger rail system that works for not just the megacities, but also for our Gateway Cities and the smaller communities too often left behind by the modern economy.”
Texas House passes bill to allow Austin light rail tunnels
The Texas House has approved a bill that will allow Austin’s transit agency to build an underground light rail line beneath two state-owned parks, a key element in the Capital Metro “Project Connect” expansion of transit service. The Austin American-Statesman reports the bill will grant the agency a 99-year lease to build under Republic Square Park and Brush Square as part of the $7.1 billion Project Connect expansion approved by voters in 2020. After passing by a 117-26 margin in the House, the bill now moves to the state Senate.
Unfortunately, there are many who will use the name “BRAIN TRAIN” to ridicule the bill. I almost did a spit take when I read that
$25 Billion for rail in the Bay State is a grotesque amount. The Democrats intend to spend America into bankruptcy. They are well on the way. The only thing that can stop the end of America is to vote the Democrats out of power in 2022.
The “Big Dig” highway project (Interstate 93 and many connecting roads and bridges) was considered grossly over budget (fair or not). Its cost was in the mid single digit billions. Rail is supposed to be cost effective. That is proving to be untrue.
Charles,
I believe they are talking about $25 billion for the entire country, not Massachusetts.
Charlie
Charles Powell is correct, those are U.S. Senators(common Charles Landey, Elizabeth Warren is not a Mass. state Senator), and one House Rep. Federal bills are almost(ALMOST) always national in intent, as is this one just by reading the description in the Digest blurb.