(Image Courtesy of MnDOT)

MnDOT Issues Draft State Freight Plan

The Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) has released for public review a draft State Freight Plan, outlining the importance of freight to Minnesota’s economy, the current state of its freight system and trends.

When all 23 new Stadler Rail-built KISS bilevel EMUs (electric multiple-units) enter service Sept. 21, Caltrain will be able to run faster and more frequent regional/commuter rail service. (Stadler Photograph)

Transit Briefs: Caltrain, SEPTA, WMATA, NJT, LACMTA

Caltrain releases its new schedule for electrified service. Also, Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) boosts Regional Rail service; Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) reopens four Red Line stations; New Jersey Transit (NJT) launches the “Chance For Change” program; and Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (LACMTA) expands a fare compliance pilot program and partners with a nationwide retailer on the free-fare student GoPass program.

(Courtesy of RailState)

RailState: Rail Service Resuming in Canada

Where does freight rail service stand following the Canadian government’s Aug. 24 order for binding arbitration that has allowed its resumption at CN and Canadian Pacific Kansas City (CPKC)? On Aug. 25,

(Logo Courtesy of the STB)

STB to AAR: Deadline Extension Granted for Reciprocal Switching Reporting

Sept. 25, 2024, is the new deadline for all six Class I’s to provide certain service data under the Surface Transportation Board’s (STB) final rule on Reciprocal Switching for Inadequate Service. The STB extended it

(NS Photograph, Left; BNSF Photograph, Right)

BNSF, NS Reach Tentative Agreements with Unions

Four months before the next collective bargaining round, BNSF and Norfolk Southern (NS) on Aug. 23 separately reported reaching tentative five-year agreements with the Brotherhood of Railway Carmen Division/TCU (BRC); International Association

The final four of 44 INNOVIA 300 APM cars from Alstom have arrived at LAX, whose automated people mover system is slated to open in January 2026. (Photograph Courtesy of Los Angeles World Airports)

Transit Briefs: LAX, MTA Metro-North, San Diego MTS

Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) receives the final four INNOVIA 300 APM cars from Alstom. Also, MTA Metro-North Railroad President Catherine Rinaldi and Connecticut Department of Transportation (CTDOT) Commissioner Garrett T. Eucalitto tour Waterbury Branch storm damage and restoration efforts; and San Diego Metropolitan Transit System (MTS) ridership jumps by 10% in Fiscal Year (FY) 2024.

(Matthew Peacock Photograph, Courtesy of SC Ports)

SC Ports Sets Cargo Volume Records in July

South Carolina (SC) Ports reported that July cargo volumes at the Port of Charleston were up 8% over the prior-year period, and that both inland ports continued to have “stellar cargo growth,” handling a combined 21,013 rail moves in July, up 19% from last year.

Robert “Bob” Brown and Sarah Powell, SEPTA. (SEPTA Photographs)

SEPTA Appoints New Cleaning, Safety Leaders

Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) has named Robert “Bob” Brown and Sarah Powell to the newly created roles of Deputy Chief Operating Officer–Cleaning and Deputy Chief Transformation Officer–Safety Culture, respectively. Brown is

Transbay Joint Powers Authority is leading The Portal project, which is slated to bring Caltrain, and potentially the California High-Speed Rail Authority’s system, to San Francisco’s Salesforce Transit Center. (Transbay Joint Powers Authority Rendering)

Program Manager Selected for San Francisco’s $8.26B Portal Project

The AECOM-led Portal Connectors team will provide program management and construction management service for The Portal Project, which will extend Caltrain’s commuter rail system 1.3 miles from its current terminal at Fourth and King

ASLRRA representatives will share examples of the ways short lines, including Missiion Mountain Railroad, have grown their businesses at next month’s STB hearing on freight rail industry growth trends and strategies. (Photograph Courtesy of ASLRRA)

ASLRRA Briefs

The American Short Line and Regional Railroad Association (ASLRRA) submits testimony for the Surface Transportation Board’s (STB) September hearing on freight rail growth. Also, the association urges Class II’s and III’s seeking a Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) exemption for certain one-person train crew operations to file their relevant paperwork now.

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