New York MTA Chair and CEO Janno Lieber joined New York City Mayor Eric Adams and NYPD Commissioner Edward Caban at Fulton Transit Center on March 28 to announce a pilot program of weapon detectors, manufactured by Evolv, that can be deployed at subway entrances. (Marc A. Hermann / MTA)

Transit Briefs: MBTA, NCDOT, NYMTA, BART

Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) plans a low-income fare program and graduates another large class of heavy rail (rapid transit) engineers. Also, North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) revises the design for a new passenger railcar maintenance facility; New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) will pilot firearm detection technology; and San Francisco Bay Area Rapid Transit District (BART) reports a surge in arrests.

Pictured: A BNSF student using virtual reality to learn how to adjust the gear lash on a high-pressure fuel pump. (Screen Grab from BNSF video)

Watch: BNSF Implementing Virtual Reality Training

BNSF is including immersive technology in its mechanical training programs to help keep workers safe and improve role readiness, the Class I reported March 29.

Report: Biden Fires RRB Inspector General

U.S. Railroad Retirement Board (RRB) Inspector General Martin J. Dickman is out as of April 28, according to The Hill, which learned from a source that President Joe Biden was firing him

Caltrain is shipping 32 of its nearly 40-year-old Nippon Sharyo gallery cars (pictured) for storage in Petaluma, Calif., where they will await a buyer. The transit agency, which had not recently used the cars in revenue service, is making room for its new electric fleet from Stadler, slated to start running this fall. (Caltrain Photograph)

Transit Briefs: Caltrain, Denver RTD, KC Streetcar

California’s Caltrain retires 32 gallery cars to make room for its new electric fleet. Also, Denver (Colo.) Regional Transportation District (RTD) kicks off a customer service pilot program; and Missouri’s Kansas City (KC) Streetcar Authority releases the results of its 2023 rider satisfaction survey.

“Congratulations to Conductor Thara Hall and Engineer Courtney Thompson for making history as the first Black female crew in Columbia, South Carolina!” NS reported via social media on March 26. (Photograph Courtesy of NS)

Class I Briefs: NS, CN

Norfolk Southern (NS) pays tribute its first Black female crew; highlights the “strength” of its Board; and reports on improved safety, productivity and efficiency at its Dillard Yard in Savannah, Ga. Also, CN releases a new Indigenous Relations Policy in support of its commitment to Reconciliation, and earns a 2023 Logistics Partners Award from LP Building Solutions.

New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy on March 26 reported via social media: “Today I signed legislation investing billions into our transportation infrastructure for the next five years. This critical funding will help upgrade our roads and bridges, create thousands of good-paying union jobs, and help commuters across NJ get to where they need to go.” (Photograph Courtesy of Gov. Murphy via social media platform X, formerly Twitter)

New Jersey TTF Renewed Through 2029

New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy has signed legislation renewing the state’s Transportation Trust Fund (TTF) for five more years (July 1, 2024-June 30, 2029). It will invest billions to modernize and maintain infrastructure and provide additional capital funding for New Jersey Transit (NJT).

LACMTA’s Metro Micro, its on-demand rideshare service, has provided more than 1.7 million rides to date. (LACMTA Photograph)

Transit Briefs: LACMTA, Metrolink, NORTA, TTC

Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (LACMTA) is implementing a permanent fare structure for its first/last-mile service. Also, Southern California’s Metrolink resumes the Angels Express after a four-year hiatus; New Orleans Regional Transit Authority (NORTA) is working to restore the Rampart Streetcar Line; and Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) launches an enhanced fare compliance campaign.

Headlining the 2024 NARS Annual Meeting in Chicago are BNSF President and CEO Katie Farmer (Railway Age’s 2023 Railroader of the Year), retired Kansas City Southern CEO Patrick Ottensmeyer (Railway Age’s 2020 Railroader of the Year and 2022 Co-Railroader of the Year), and Union Pacific CEO Jim Vena.

Farmer, Ottensmeyer, Vena Among NARS Headliners

BNSF President and CEO Katie Farmer, retired Kansas City Southern CEO Patrick Ottensmeyer, and Union Pacific CEO Jim Vena will serve as keynote speakers at the North American Rail Shippers Association (NARS)

Pictured: Operation Lifesaver Kentucky’s new specialty license plate, which was designed in collaboration with R.J. Corman Railroad Company. (Photograph Courtesy of R.J. Corman Railroad Company)

Attention Kentucky Drivers: Support Rail Safety With OLI License Plate

Kentucky drivers have another way to show their commitment to railroad safety: through the purchase of a specialty license plate featuring Operation Lifesaver, Inc. (OLI). This is the first railroad safety-specific license plate in the U.S.

“With the increase in train size, our [grain] customers will now have to plan and coordinate their operations around fewer trains,” said Ed Elkins, NS Chief Marketing Officer. “This creates new opportunities to explore ways we can leverage the capacity this frees up for both the customer and Norfolk Southern.” (NS Photograph)

NS Optimizing Grain Service

Norfolk Southern (NS) over the past year has partnered with grain customers to improve service and productivity, and those efforts have paid off, the Class I reported March 21. With each loaded train, NS is now moving 23% more grain.

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