The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) announced March 27 that $212,301,048 in grants are available to apply for under the Public Transportation Emergency Relief Program (Emergency Relief Program) for states, territories, local government authorities, Indian tribes, and other FTA recipients affected by major declared disasters in calendar years 2017, 2020, 2021 and 2022.
Brightline on March 27 showcased Basecamp, the private-sector passenger railroad’s 135,805-square-foot state-of-the-art train maintenance facility in Orlando, Fla., which has begun commissioning new Brightline trains and servicing existing trains.
The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) launches online Speed Restrictions Dashboard; awards contract for major track and signal upgrades at South Station; and invites public comment on the proposed Capital Investment Plan (CIP) for Fiscal Years 2024-2028. Also, the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) awards design contract for Broad Street Line ADA Improvement project and approves proposal to install new fare gates; the Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) formerly ends token sales; VIA Rail Canada (VIA Rail) improves diversity and inclusion policies; NJ Transit advances improvements at Mahwah Station; Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) moves forward with purchase of fare gates to be installed systemwide; and the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey (PANYNJ) advances plan to replace AirTrain Newark with selection of three firms as part of multi-phase procurement process.
Andy Byford, nicknamed “Train Daddy” when he was President of MTA New York City Transit, will begin his new role as Senior Vice President for Amtrak’s high-speed rail (HSR) program, effective April 10, according to multiple news reports.
Brotherhood of Maintenance of Way Employes (BMWED) and Brotherhood of Railroad Signalmen (BRS) members have reached a tentative agreement, after negotiating as a coalition for 15 months, with Amtrak on a seven-year contract that calls for a 28.5% general wage increase retroactive to 2022.
Amtrak and the Pennsylvania Northeast Regional Railroad Authority (PNRAA) on March 22 released the findings of a two-year analysis examining the potential for rail services between Scranton, Pa., and New York.
Duos Technologies, Inc. (Duos) releases two new passenger artificial intelligence (AI) detection models. Also, Alstom’s virtual universe brings rail innovation to life in a digital world.
Union Pacific (UP) Chief Information Officer Rahul Jalali joins the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency’s (CISA) Cybersecurity Advisory Committee (CSAC). Also, CSX launches an enhanced carbon emissions reduction calculator; and CN donates $750,000 to Sun Youth’s “Building a Brighter Future” campaign.
CSX on March 22 reported reaching an agreement with the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) for paid sick leave.
Louisiana Amtrak passenger service between Baton Rouge and New Orleans is one step closer to reality now that the Surface Transportation Board (STB) has approved Canadian Pacific’s (CP) $31 billion acquisition of Kansas City Southern (KCS). Also, the Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) will receive $2 million to use drones and sensors to monitor and analyze railroad infrastructure; and Maryland’s FY24 budget includes a significant funding commitment for the Southern Maryland Rapid Transit (SMRT) project.