Metra on March 20 issued a request for proposals (RFP) for at least 200 new locomotive-hauled railcars, and the Chicago-area commuter railroad is allowing manufacturers to propose alternative designs that could reduce delays and suit Metra’s needs better than its bi-level gallery cars, some of which have been in service upwards of 70 years.
North American carload and intermodal traffic again declined compared to 2018, according to figures for the week ending March 16, 2019 released by the Association of American Railroads (AAR) on March 20.
The North American Rail Shippers Association (NARS) will be discussing critical issues currently facing the freight rail industry and how to achieve an “optimal network” at its annual meeting May 15-17 in San Antonio.
Operation Lifesaver, Inc. (OLI) announced March 14 that the application period is open for its Rail Transit Safety Education Grants. The grants offer $175,000 in funding for transit agencies, other government entities that provide transit service and state Operation Lifesaver programs to conduct rail transit safety education and public awareness initiatives.
R.J. Corman Railroad Switching Company announced March 19 that it has begun operations for two new customers: New-Indy Containerboard, and a company described as “a market leader in the manufacturing of roofing granules [that] become part of roofing materials seen on millions of homes in the United States.”
MTA President Patrick Foye, New York City Transit President Andy Byford and Senior Vice President Subways Sally Librera provided statistics on March 18 to show that the New York subway system has seen a dramatic increase in performance since the implementation of the Subway Action Plan and NYCT’s Save Safe Seconds campaign.
The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) announced March 18 that it has partnered with the requisite 30 states to strengthen and certify 31 State Safety Oversight (SSO) Programs prior to the April 15 safety deadline, and is transferring WMATA safety oversight to the Washington Metrorail Safety Commission (WMSC).
Sabrina Drago has joined WSP USA as Sacramento transportation office lead, the engineering and professional services consultancy company announced on March 15.
New York Air Brake announced March 15 that it has acquired locomotive fueling, servicing and component remanufacturing company Snyder Equipment Co. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.
On the heels of Tuesday’s House Ways and Means Select Revenue Measures Subcommittee hearing on Temporary Policy in the Internal Revenue Code, American Short Line and Regional Railroad Association President Chuck Baker submitted comments to Congress to take action on tax-extender policies that include the 45G Short Line Tax Credit.
