Brightline has teamed with Starlink to provide internet connectivity onboard its five trainsets serving South Florida between Miami and West Palm Beach. It will be added to Brightline’s five newest Siemens Mobility trainsets this summer when service to Orlando is slated to begin. (Brightline Photograph)

Transit Briefs: Brightline, Denver RTD, NYMTA, VIA Rail

Brightline, Florida’s private-sector passenger railroad, offers riders high-speed, low-latency broadband service from Starlink. Also, Denver Regional Transportation District (RTD) provides real-time train/bus arrival information through a new Interactive Voice Response (IVR) customer service system; New York’s MTA Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) and MTA Metro-North Railroad reach record average weekday ridership; and VIA Rail Canada releases 2022 annual report.

Christiana Cameron, CFO, APTA

Cameron Appointed CFO of APTA

Christiana Cameron on May 8 joined the American Public Transportation Association (APTA) as Chief Financial Officer.

NYMTA Transit Tech Lab Releases Results of Operational Efficiency, Human Capital Utilization Challenges

The New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority/Partnership for NYC Transit Tech Lab on May 9 reported the results of its Operational Efficiency and Human Capital Utilization challenges, in which 15 companies have been selected to collaborate with regional transit agencies and test technologies, such as AI (artificial intelligence), LiDAR and edge computing, to “mitigate service disruptions, automate operations and combat workforce shortages.”

“CSX joined Oleo-X to celebrate the ribbon cutting of its new renewable diesel and sustainable aviation fuel feedstock merchant pretreatment facility in Pascagoula, MS, last week,” the Class I reported via Twitter on May 8. “CSX is proud to be Oleo-X’s transportation partner on this important project.” (Photograph Courtesy of CSX, via Twitter)

Oleo-X Launches CSX-Served Renewable Fuels Feedstock Plant

CSX on May 8 reported that it is serving Oleo-X’s new Pascagoula, Miss., facility, which handles renewable diesel and sustainable aviation fuel feedstock merchant pretreatment. A ribbon-cutting was held at the facility earlier this month to celebrate its launch.

“The Interstate Rail Compacts Program will facilitate multi-state partnerships to bring world-class passenger rail to more communities while supporting the long-term growth of America’s rail network,” FRA Administrator Amit Bose said.

FRA: Grant Applications Welcome for IRC Program

The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) on May 8 reported that $5.8 million in competitive grant funding is available to help states advance intercity passenger rail through the new Interstate Rail Compacts (IRC) Program.

(BRC Photograph)

BRC Eyes C3RS Participation

The Belt Railway Company of Chicago (BRC) is seeking to join the Federal Railroad Administration’s (FRA) voluntary confidential program (C3RS) that allows railroads and their employees to report close calls.

(BNSF Photograph)

BNSF 1Q23: Revenue Up Despite Lower Volumes; OR Increases

BNSF on May 8 released first-quarter 2023 financial results, including operating income of $1.856 billion, a 9% decline from the prior-year period’s $2.041 billion, and an operating ratio (OR) of 68.4%, a 3.8-percentage-point increase compared with 2022’s 64.6%.

Loram Technologies, Inc., hosted U.S. Rep. John Carter (R-Tex.; pictured) at a groundbreaking ceremony for its new Global Rail Campus in Georgetown, Tex. (Photograph Courtesy of REMSA and NRC)

Loram Technologies to Launch Global Rail Campus

Loram Technologies, Inc. on May 3 held a groundbreaking ceremony in Georgetown, Tex., for its new Global Rail Campus, which will comprise a corporate office and facility for the production and manufacture of maintenance-of-way equipment and inspection technologies.

Metrolinx has released an Initial Business Case on the feasibility of adding a Highway 7/Concord GO Station to the Barrie Line. (Metrolinx Photograph)

Transit Briefs: Metrolinx, NYMTA, St. Louis MetroLink, SMART, STM

Metrolinx considers adding a new GO rail station to the Barrie Line, north of Toronto. Also, New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) will start boosting subway train frequency this summer as ridership reaches record levels; St. Louis MetroLink will test metal detectors at stations; construction will begin this fall on a new Sonoma-Marin Area Rail Transit (SMART) commuter rail station; and Société de transport de Montréal (STM) is deploying safety ambassadors, special constables and custodial employees to improve security and station cleanliness.

The MERMEC-built rail inspection vehicle uses lasers, sensors, cameras, measuring systems, and data management systems to create a comprehensive profile of the track, all while traveling at speeds of up to 70 mph, according to BART. (BART Photograph)

First Look: BART’s MERMEC Geometry Car in Action

San Francisco Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) District on May 3 unveiled its newly acquired rail inspection vehicle from MERMEC that will measure track position, curvature, smoothness, and alignment, as well as wear and corrugation, which contribute to train noise.

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