Author: Douglas John Bowen

Amtrak eyes new cross-Hudson rail tunnel plan

New Jersey’s two U.S. Senators joined Amtrak President Joseph Boardman Monday in Newark, N.J. to advance a plan, this time led by Amtrak and dubbed the “Gateway Tunnel,” to increase capacity on the Northeast Corridor under the Hudson River.

UTA FrontRunner taps INIT

INIT, Innovations in Transportation, Inc., said Thursday it has signed a contract with the Utah Transit Authority for the installation of an Intelligent Transportation Solution to be fitted on more than 35 FrontRunner regional rail vehicles.

Virginia: Amtrak to Norfolk an added service

Virginia’s plans to expand Amtrak passenger rail service to Norfolk, Va., will be pursued without sacrificing Amtrak’s current route through the state’s Tidewater region, which terminates at Newport News, on the north side of the James River.

Hybrid streetcar to show off in Charlotte

Kinkisharyo International, LLC said Nov. 30, 2010 that its prototype LFX-300, a 100% low-floor, dual-powered, “hybrid” streetcar specifically designed for North America, will arrive in the U.S. in mid-December for testing, with a public unveiling in Charlotte, N.C., in January 2011.

LaHood: HSR funds are for rail—not roads

DOT Secretary Ray LaHood had a blunt message Tuesday for states that want to spend their high speed rail grants on highways or rail freight projects: Use the grants for passenger rail or return the money to Washington, said LaHood.

Virginia passenger train marks first birthday

Several Charlottesville, Va., residents gathered at the train station Oct. 7 to celebrate the one-year anniversary of the daily Lynchburg-to-Washington Amtrak train, which stops in Charlottesville.

Cincinnati finalizes streetcar route

Cincinnati city officials Wednesday said Vine Street will host the $128 million streetcar route from Over-the-Rhine to the Uptown areanear the University of Cincinnati. A route along West Clifton Avenue was theother choice being evaluated in recent days after the two were selected from alarger list.

University drops LRT lawsuit

The University of Minnesota has finally reached accord with the Twin Cities Metropolitan Council on construction of the Central Corridor light rail transit line through St. Paul, Minnesota’s state capital.