• December 20, 2023
• Passenger

Transit Briefs: Metrolinx, NJ Transit, FTA, CTA, SFMTA, TTC

Metrolinx teams up with Canadian whisky brand Forty Creek to provide free rides on GO Transit and UP Express on New Year’s Eve. Meanwhile, NJ Transit’s systemwide beverage ban remains in effect, and the Federal Transit Authority (FTA) takes nationwide steps to address assaults on transit workers. Also, the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) kicks off a community engagement process to activate new spaces under new Red Line Tracks; the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency (SFMTA) introduces the first LRV4s with a new seating arrangement; Scarborough’s Rapid Transit (RT) trains could have a new home in Detroit; and NJ Transit sells a stuffed animal to support Ricardo the Bull.

• December 20, 2023
• Short Lines & Regionals

NCDOT Invests $10.2MM in Short Line Railroads

The North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) on Dec. 19 announced that it is investing $10.2 million as part of 50-50 matching grant funding for rail infrastructure projects along 10 short line railroads and at the North Carolina Ports.

• December 19, 2023
• Class I

Class I Briefs: CSX, CN, NS

CSX upgrades its Positive Train Control (PTC) system. Also, CN’s SCIO platform is recognized by the Digital Engineering Awards in the Digital Transformation of the Year category; and Norfolk Southern (NS) grants $5 million to promote safety and build communities and begins construction on its East Palestine Field Office.

• December 19, 2023
• Safety

Report: Ohio Rail Commission Releases Public Rail Crossing Impact Tool

The Ohio Rail Development Commission (Rail Commission) has released a free, publicly accessible tool to “measure the impact of blocked rail/roadway at-grade crossings in Ohio, according to a Circleville Herald report.

• December 19, 2023
• Passenger

SMART East-West Rail Corridor Receives Federal Boost

The Sonoma-Marin Area Rail Transit District (SMART) announced Dec. 18 that its east-west rail corridor, connecting the City of Novato to Suisun City, has been designated for inclusion under the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) Corridor Identification and Development (Corridor ID) program.

• December 18, 2023
• Regulatory

USCPB Shuts Down Eagle Pass, El Paso Rail Crossings—Again (Updated)

For the second time in four months, the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has temporarily suspended operations at three U.S./Mexico international railway crossing bridges—two on Union Pacific and one on BNSF.

• December 18, 2023
• Passenger

Transit Briefs: RTA, SEPTA, Sound Transit

The Regional Transit Authority (RTA) of Southeast Michigan weighs a takeover of the QLINE. Also, the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) Transit Police ends its strike with a tentative agreement; and Sound Transit receives Moody’s highest-possible bond ratings and moves to a new flat fare structure for its Link light rail.

• December 18, 2023
• Short Lines & Regionals

BLET Reaches Tentative Agreement With Two G&W Properties

The Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET) announced Dec. 14 that it has reached a tentative contract with Genesee & Wyoming’s (G&W) Portland & Western Railroad (PNWR) and the Chicago, Fort Wayne & Eastern Railroad (CFE).

• December 18, 2023
• Class I

‘Next-Gen Freight Rail’ Conference Set for March 12

Railway Age’s Next-Gen Freight Rail 2024 Conference will take place on March 12, 2024, from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM at the Union League Club of Chicago. Join us as we discuss

• December 15, 2023
• Intermodal

Intermodal Briefs: SC Ports, Port of Los Angeles

Construction is under way at South Carolina Port Authority’s (SC Ports) Navy Base Intermodal Facility. Also, the Port of Los Angeles’ Alameda Corridor Terminus Gap Closure project is recognized as a top regional transportation improvement project by the American Public Works Association Southern California Chapter.