The New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) on July 17 released its five-year financial plan showing a balanced budget through 2027, the first time in more than 20 years the Authority has projected a balanced budget for five consecutive years.
The Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) is set to begin the final stage of the Red and Purple Modernization (RPM) Phase One Project starting on July 28. Also, the Toronto Transit Commission’s (TTC) 506 Carlton streetcar returns to service.
CSX on July 14 reported that testing of 20% soybean oil-based fuel in a locomotive fleet serving Tampa, Fla.-based phosphate customer Mosaic, which began in 2022 to demonstrate the effectiveness of the B20 biodiesel blend in Wabtec FDL Advantage engines, “continues to yield impressive results.”
CSX on July 14 announced its latest group of high-ranking properties to receive CSX Select Site designation under the newly expanded industrial development program. Eight sites in seven states have earned a Gold, Silver or Bronze rating based on an evaluation of a wide range of site characteristics.
Cummins Inc. (Cummins) President and CEO Jennifer Rumsey is named Chair of the Board of Directors. Also, WSP’s Sallye Perrin is recognized as the American Road and Transportation Builders Association’s (ARTBA) P3 Trailblazer of the Year; FourKites adds three industry veterans to its team; and Alaska Railroad announces promotions and transfers throughout the organization.
The Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) on July 12 announced that it has awarded a $15.3 million contract to John Burns Construction Company, LLC for the renovation of the Austin Green Line station,
Duos Technologies Group, Inc. (Duos), through its operating subsidiary Duos Technologies, Inc., announced July 13 that it has implemented its first subscription services agreement with a passenger transit operator, offering access to the company’s Railcar Inspection Portal (RIP®) and optional artificial intelligence (AI) detection models for key inspection points.
Norfolk Southern (NS) on July 12 released its annual Environmental, Social, Governance report, highlighting the railroad’s “long-term strategy to balance service, productivity and growth; initiatives to enhance rail safety; and the company’s ongoing efforts in East Palestine, Ohio.”
For the first 27 weeks of 2023 (ending July 8), total U.S. weekly rail traffic dipped 4.2% from the same point last year, according to the Association of American Railroads’ (AAR) July 12 report. Both Canada and the U.S. saw declines, while Mexico saw an increase.
Amtrak, BNSF, CSX and Union Pacific (UP) have each been recognized as a “Best Place to Work for Disability Inclusion” by the American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD) and nonprofit Disability:IN, achieving high scores on the 2023 Disability Equality Index® (DEI).