The Metro Board of Directors on April 14 approved the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority’s (WMATA) $4.8 billion capital and operating budget for fiscal year (FY) 2024, which supports the agency’s “increased rail and bus services, simplifies fares for customers, creates a new low-income fare program, caps MetroAccess fares at $4, and enhances safety measures.”
CN sends a “Supply Chain Salute” to Louis Dreyfus Company (LDC) on the announcement of the expansion of its canola crush plant at Yorkton, Saskatchewan, Canada. Also, Canadian Pacific Kansas City (CPKC) announces that the famed “Empress” steam locomotive will return to the rails this summer.
Siemens Mobility announced April 14 that Brightline will begin implementing S3 Passenger, the inventory, ticketing and reservation system offered by Sqills, a subsidiary of the company. According to Siemens Mobility, S3 Passenger
The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) on April 13 announced that $14 billion is being invested in states and transit agencies across the U.S. to help improve public transportation, meeting local goals, such as upgrading stations and tracks, transitioning to next-generation buses, planning and designing new transit corridors, ad providing specialized service for seniors and riders with disabilities.
The American Public Transportation Association (APTA) releases six workforce development mini guides for public transportation leaders. Also, the Utah Transit Authority (UTA) celebrates the 15th anniversary of FrontRunner; the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) expands its monthly scorecard data to include added workforce metrics; and Amtrak’s Berkshire Flyer seasonal train service between New York City and Pittsfield, Mass., will return this summer.
Despite experiencing a typical Canadian winter, CN delivered “strong, consistent performance” this past winter, which is attributed to its 2023-22 Winter Plan, the Class I reported April 11.
The Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) on April 12 announced concurrence from the Washington Metrorail Safety Commission (WSMC) that allows the agency to move to the final phase of its 7,000-series Return-to-Service Plan.
The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) on April 12 announced a Request for Information (RFI) seeking public comment on environmental review processes that can be improved under the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA).
The Port of Long Beach selects HDR to complete the final design for the $1.5 billion Pier B On-Dock Rail Support Facility. Also, the Northwest Seaport Alliance (NWSA) launches Rail Cargo Incentive Program in the Pacific Northwest; and EFL Global acquires Locher Evers International (LEI).
BNSF hosts University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign researchers from the Rail Transportation and Engineering Center (RailTEC) at its Fort Worth campus. Also, Union Pacific (UP) Assistant Vice President, External Relations Wes Lujan has been named one of Profiles in Diversity Journal’s 2023 Latino Leadership Award winners; and CSX’s automated new vehicle inspection portals help make Total Distribution Services Inc. (TDSI) more efficient.