Gabrielle Giffords graces Tucson streetcar event

Former Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords, along with husband Mark Kelly, were surprise attendees attending the dedication of Tucson, Ariz.’s new maintenance and storage facility and arrival of the first streetcar Friday, Sept. 6 2013.

For Purple Line, rail and trail issues remain

Though Maryland has committed itself to establishing the two-county Purple Line Light Rail Transit system in the northern Washington, D.C. suburbs, exact routing issues remain, including potential conflicts between LRT and nearby bicycle paths on its western end.

Angels Flight funicular derails

One of two funicular cars used on Los Angeles’s resurrected Angels Flight derailed Thursday, Sept. 5, 2013, after an electrical circuit was disrupted and the car’s emergency brake engaged, lifting it off the track, according to Angels Flight Railway President John Welborne.

For KC streetcar, discord over contract

Kansas City, Mo.’s City Council will vote on Sept. 12, 2013 on a construction contract for the city’s 2.2-mile initial streetcar line, but approval reportedly is not assured.

San Diego MTS launches new mobile ticket app

Coordinating an introduction with the start of the NFL San Diego Chargers’ 2013-2014 season, San Diego’s Metropolitan Transit System (MTS) announced Thursday, Sept. 5, 2013, the pilot launch of MTS mTicket, “a mobile ticketing app that lets riders use their smartphone to purchase their day pass” when riding the city’s Trolley system.

TIGER grant to aid Vermont freight, Amtrak

An $8.9 million federal Transportation Investment Generating Economy Recovery (TIGER) grant awarded to the Vermont Agency of Transportation will expedite the Green Mountain State’s $18.5 million effort to rehabilitate 20 miles of rail right-of-way along the state’s western edge.

AAR: Freight traffic up as August ends

All three large North American nations saw freight carload traffic and intermodal volume gain ground in the week ending Aug. 31, 2013, the Association of American Railroads reported Thursday, Sept. 5.

AREMA webinar tackles grade crossing safety

A one-hour webinar beginning at 1:00 p.m. Eastern Time Thursday, Sept. 12, 2013, will address “Highway Rail Grade Crossing” issues confronting the industry, The American Railway Engineering and Maintenance-of-Way Association (AREMA) announced Thursday, Sept. 5.

Ontario: Scarborough should be subway line

Ontario Transportation Minister Glen Murray said Wednesday, Sept. 4, 2013, the province will pursue subway rapid transit as the mode for the controversial Scarborough Line in Toronto.

RTA Board OKs Chicagoland strategic plan

Chicagoland’s Regional Transportation Authority (RTA) Board of Directors, has adopted a 2013 Regional Transit Strategic Plan, charting RTA’s investment during the next five years.

LOAD MORE