Hitachi Rail Signs MOU With Ontario Tech University to Support Railway Engineering Specialization

Hitachi Rail on Aug. 26 announced that it has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Ontario Tech University, to support a first-of-its-kind, Railway Engineering Specialization that will be launched in September

People News: North American Rail Solutions, STV, Americold, BART

North American Rail Solutions appoints Doug Severidt as Procurement Director. Also, STV promotes Lauren Alger and Breanna Horne to Vice Presidents; Americold appoints Robert S. Chambers as Chief Executive Officer; and Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) names Inez Gonzalez as the new Independent Police Auditor.

MassDOT Secures $3.5MM to Advance West-East Rail

The Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) on Aug. 25 announced that it has secured $3.5 million in federal funding to continue advancing West-East Rail.

Report: RTA Redirects Funds From Metra, Pace to Prevent CTA Service Reductions

Leaders from Illinois’ Regional Transportation Authority (RTA) on Aug. 21 shifted millions of dollars from Metra and Pace “to help forestall 40% Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) service reductions” as the agency faces

People News: Arctic Gateway Group, SC Ports, NYS&W

Arctic Gateway Group (AGG) appoints three new members to its Board of Directors. Also, South Carolina Ports Authority President and CEO Barbara Melvin announces her resignation; and the New York, Susquehanna & Western Railway (NYS&W) appoints Katherine Bourdon as General Counsel.

Class I Briefs: BNSF, CPKC

BNSF opens its largest Logistics Center ever in North Houston. Also, Canadian Pacific Kansas City (CPKC) earns top marks on Amtrak’s annual Host Railroad Report Card.

San Diego MTS Ridership Surges in FY25

The San Diego Metropolitan Transit System (MTS) on Aug. 20 announced that annual ridership surpassed 80 million passenger trips for the first time since the pandemic. The transit agency recorded 81,181,071 boardings during Fiscal Year 2025 (July 2024-June 2025), a 7.1% increase from the 75,663,343 trips taken in Fiscal Year 2024.

Transit Briefs: MDOT MTA, BART, NYMTA, Nova Scotia

The Maryland Department of Transportation Maryland Transit Administration (MDOT MTA) launches a new public awareness campaign. Also, Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) becomes the Bay Area’s first Tap and Ride system; the New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) renews its contract with retirement services provider Empower; and Nova Scotia seeks to study the potential of passenger rail in the Halifax area.

AAR: U.S. Rail Traffic Dips Slightly Through Week 33

Total U.S. weekly rail traffic for the week ending Aug. 16, 2025 (Week 33) came in at 512,970 carloads and intermodal units, down 0.7% from the same week in 2024, the Association of American Railroads (AAR) reported Aug. 20.

Amtrak Advances Three NEC Rail Yard Modernization Projects

Amtrak on Aug. 19 announced that it has awarded design-build contracts and begun pre-construction activities for three rail yard modernization projects on the Northeast Corridor (NEC) that the company says “will help improve service reliability and enable more efficient, world-class train maintenance.”

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