A preliminary analysis of actions taken in response to a general directive by the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) shows that hundreds of transit agencies are taking steps to address safety for their workforces, but the industry “still has work to do to reduce the known risks associated with the potential for assaults on transit workers.”
Unifor members of Local 101R at Canadian Pacific Kansas City (CPKC) have voted “overwhelmingly” in favor of strike action, with 99% of members voting in support, if a deal is not reached
The Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) releases its second annual personalized ridership report for 2024. Also, Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) train screens now show major transit connections; the Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT) releases its $21.2 billion Final Consolidated Transportation Program (CTP) for Fiscal Years 2025-2030; and the Regional Transportation Authority of Northeastern Illinois (RTA) releases a $1.5 billion vision aimed at “shaping the future of transit funding and governance ahead of the 2025 legislative session.”
The Port of Los Angeles promotes Artie Mandel to Director of Government Affairs. Also, Grace Baird joins HDR as Overhead Contact Systems Practice Lead; and Norfolk Southern Executive Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer Ed Elkins is named Georgia Chamber’s 2025 Chair.
The Société de transport de l’Outaouais (STO) announced Jan. 14 that it has awarded the contract for professional, technical, and multidisciplinary services on the 24-kilometer (15-mile) Gatineau-Ottawa tramway project, which will link downtown Gatineau to Ottawa, to Groupe Porteur.
The National Carriers Conference Committee (NCCC) on Jan. 14 announced that members of the International Association of Sheet, Air, Rail and Transportation Workers’ Mechanical and Engineering Department (SMART-MD) have voted to ratify a national collective bargaining agreement.
The North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) will administer a $13.2 million federal grant to the town of Wake Forest to construct a “mobility hub” on the S-Line passenger rail corridor. Also, the Connecticut Department of Transportation (CTDOT) receives $11.6 million to expand service along the CTrail Hartford Line; and the Los Angeles-San Diego-San Luis Obispo (LOSSAN) Rail Corridor Agency is awarded $27 million to increase Amtrak Pacific Surfliner train service.
The League of Railway Women (LRW) recently named Amtrak Corporate Secretary and Ethics Officer Eleanor “Eldie” D. Acheson the winner of its 2024 Railway Woman of the Year award, an annual award that “honors a woman who establishes a strong vision and a culture of continuous improvement and creativity, and brings excellence to her organization and community, all while supporting the personal and professional growth of others in the rail industry.”
The Port of New Orleans (Port NOLA) on Jan. 13 announced that it has been awarded $1 million from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for its Louisiana International Terminal (LIT) Sustainability Management Plan (SMP).
OmniTRAX, Inc. promotes Dallas Ramos to Vice President of Operations – Central Division. Also, former Federal Transit Administration (FTA) Administrator Nunia Fernandez receives the Transportation Research Board’s (TRB) Frank Turner Medal for Lifetime Achievement in Transportation; and STV’s Alexis Williams is named President-Elect of the Women’s Transportation Seminar (WTS) Philadelphia Chapter.