“Let your voice be heard: Vote on the exterior design for Metro’s new 8000-series rail fleet,” WMATA reported Aug. 18. One of the three design options is pictured above. The winning concept will be announced at the end of this month. (WMATA Image)

Transit Briefs: WMATA, TriMet, Denver RTD

Cast your vote for one of three exterior graphic designs for Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority’s (WMATA) new 8000-series Hitachi Rail cars. Also, Tri-County Metropolitan Transportation District of Oregon (TriMet) installs more than 700 digital displays networkwide for real-time train and bus alerts; and Denver (Colo.) Regional Transit District (RTD) boosts by 500% rail-system fare checks as part of its security plan.

(Courtesy of NS)

NS Issues Sustainability, Safety, Operations, Community Impact Report

Norfolk Southern (NS) on Aug. 18 released a digital progress report on how it is building “a safer, more resilient and sustainable railroad.”

“CSX and our partners are safely installing #railroad track panels along our Blue Ridge subdivision, where approximately 60 miles of our railroad were devastated by #HurricaneHelene,” the Class I reported via social media on Aug. 13. “Together, our #ONECSX team is building back better—for our customers, communities, & employees.” (CSX Photograph)

Class I Briefs: CSX, BNSF, NS

At CSX, Blue Ridge Subdivision recovery work advances, Board Member Gen. Thomas Bostick earns the Gold de Fleury Medal, and Signal Manager Clint Russell takes swift action to stop a train facing a potential safety hazard. Also, BNSF provides customers with an operational performance update; and Norfolk Southern (NS) and the City of Refuge open a welding training center in Atlanta, Ga.

“This novel program is promoting efficient and effective use of publicly owned assets, by enabling communities to find answers to this basic question: do they have underutilized assets that can be leveraged to address their infrastructure needs,” Build America Bureau Executive Director Morteza Farajian said upon release of the  Innovative Finance and Asset Concession Grant Program ’s Notice of Funding Opportunity. (USDOT Photograph)

USDOT: Applications Welcome for Innovative Finance and Asset Concession Grant Program

The U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) on Aug. 15 reported releasing a Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) for the Innovative Finance and Asset Concession Grant Program (IFAC), making $45.98 million available to assist

Zephyr Rail on Aug. 14 reported being selected by the LACMTA Board for a $50 million Construction Management Support Services contract, the largest single contract in the company’s history. (LACMTA Photograph)

Transit Briefs: LACMTA, Metrolinx, Metra, Sound Transit, CTDOT

The Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (LACMTA) Board approves a $50 million Construction Management Support Services contract. Also, Canada’s Metrolinx breaks ground on the second Ontario Line subway tunnel in Toronto; Chicago’s Metra commuter railroad opens a new Grayland Station and dedicates a new bridge over Milwaukee Ave.; Seattle’s Sound Transit beta tests a trip planning tool; and the Connecticut Department of Transportation (CTDOT) issues a Request for Proposals for redevelopment of the Stamford Transportation Center.

OmniTRAX has been named the exclusive rail partner for WE Soda’s largest U.S. mine, Westvaco in Green River, Wyo. (Photograph Courtesy of OmniTRAX)

For OmniTRAX, Another Wyoming Mining Partnership

OmniTRAX on Aug. 14 reported signing an agreement with a second soda ash producer to provide exclusive third-party rail switching in Green River, Wyo. In addition to serving the Tata Chemical Soda

“Shippers have been frontloading their cargo for months to get ahead of tariffs and recent activity at America’s top port really tells that story,” Port of Los Angeles Executive Director Gene Seroka said Aug. 13 (Port of LA Photograph)

For Ports of LA, Long Beach, ‘Record’ July Cargo

The ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach reported setting July cargo records, handling 1,019,837 TEUs (Twenty-Foot Equivalent Units) and 944,232 TEUs, respectively, as retailers and manufacturers brought in goods at an elevated pace due to concerns of higher tariffs later this year.

(Image Courtesy of NS)

Class I Briefs: NS, CSX

Norfolk Southern (NS) introduces the Community Impact Ambassadors team. Also, CSX partners with Sappi North America.

(BNSF Photograph)

AAR: U.S. Rail Traffic Up Through Week 32

U.S. rail traffic not only rose for the week ending Aug. 9, 2025, vs. the same week last year but also realized a modest gain through 2025’s first 32 weeks, the Association of American Railroads (AAR) reported Aug. 13.

Standard & Poor’s Global Ratings has upgraded the New York MTA’s Transportation Revenue Bonds rating from “A-” to “A” with a “stable” rating outlook. (NYMTA Photograph)

Transit Briefs: NYMTA, MDOT, NC By Train, MBTA

Standard & Poor’s Global Ratings upgrades New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority’s (MTA) credit rating. Also, Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT) awards $500,000 in Purple Line small business grants; NC (North Carolina) By Train ridership rises in first-half 2025; and Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) encourages riders to take advantage of extended service this fall by offering free fares after 9 p.m. on five Fridays and Saturdays.

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