Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) is shuttering ticket windows at 14 Regional Rail stations. Also, the Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) officially recommends a Palmer stop for the East-West passenger rail project; and Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) ramps up recruitment.
Azure Sustainable Fuels Corp. (Azure) on Jan. 18 reported advancing the development of a Canadian renewable-fuel production facility that will ultimately produce 20,000 barrels per day of predominantly SAF (Sustainable Aviation Fuel). The facility, to be served by CN, is expected to open in 2027.
After six years leading the California High-Speed Rail Authority (CHSRA), Brian Kelly has submitted his letter of resignation, according to a Jan. 18 report from Nexstar Media’s KTLA 5 in Los Angeles.
Wabtec’s Trip Optimizer energy-management software tops 1 billion miles of operation. Also, Rail Vision Ltd. lands a switch-yard systems contract from a U.S.-based rail and leasing services company.
CN subsidiary CNTL (CN Transportation Ltd.) reaches a tentative agreement with owner-operators affiliated with Unifor. Also, Canadian Pacific Kansas City (CPKC) releases a video highlighting its 2023 Community Outreach and Mini-Train program events; and Norfolk Southern (NS) trains more than 5,400 first responders in 2023.
Port of Long Beach (POLB) CEO Mario Cordero on Jan. 17 gave a “State of the Port” address, highlighting rail facility modernization and air quality improvement efforts that will continue through 2024, as well as 2023’s cargo volume statistics.
Two Canadian Pacific Kansas City (CPKC) hydrogen-powered locomotives enter regular service in Calgary. Also, CSX’s first responder training program reaches more than 6,000 individuals in 2023.
Amtrak’s “Avelia Liberty” trainsets are cleared for testing on the Northeast Corridor. Also, Caltrain celebrates 160 years of rail service from San Francisco to San Jose, Calif.; Maryland Gov. Wes Moore restores $150 million in transportation funding; Chicago’s Metra is launching a pilot program for reduced fares systemwide; the Montreal region’s transit authority (ARTM) is considering new transit options that would link downtown Montreal with the city’s western boroughs; and New York Gov. Kathy Hochul provides highlights of the proposed FY2025 budget, which includes funding for the planned Interborough Express and the Second Avenue Subway’s westward expansion.
Through the first two weeks of 2024 (ending Jan. 13), total North American carload and intermodal traffic dipped 1.5% from the same point last year, the Association of American Railroads (AAR) reported Jan. 17. The U.S. and Canada experienced declines, while Mexico saw a gain.
Former Kansas City Southern (KCS) President and CEO Patrick J. Ottensmeyer joins the Board of Directors at J.B. Hunt Transport Services. Also, Chec Morrow has been elevated to Director of Field Services at AllTranstek LLC, a rail transport management and consulting firm; and Odyssey Logistics has appointed Omar Shamsie as Chief Commercial Officer.