The Surface Transportation Board (STB) on November 29 issued a final rule implementing passenger rail-related dispute resolution provisions of Title XI of the Fixing America’s Surface Transportation Act of 2015 (“FAST Act”), Pub. L. No. 114-94.
Michigan State University announced November 30 that its Railway Management Certificate Program (RMCP) has updated its offerings with the appointment of a new Executive Director.
Canada’s federal government has begun a search for a new chairperson for VIA Rail Canada. Two Ontario-based passenger rail advocacy groups—All Aboard St. Marys and Transport Action Ontario—regard this as “cause for guarded optimism” and are endorsing a prospective candidate, as well as another candidate to fill a soon-expiring board post.
President-elect Donald Trump has named Elaine Chao as his choice for U.S. Transportation Secretary. Chao is a former Deputy Transportation Secretary and a former Labor Secretary, and wife of Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) since 1993.
Siemens announced November 28 that it finalized a plan with Charlotte City Council to build six new S70 streetcars for the Charlotte Area Transit System (CATS), the public transit system operated across Mecklenburg County and four surrounding counties.
Two senior executives at Central Maine & Quebec Railway—John E. Giles and Ryan Ratledge—will assume new responsibilities come Jan. 1, 2017.
The Association of American Railroads (AAR) reported Nov. 23 that for the week ending Nov. 19, 2016, total U.S. weekly rail traffic was 547,804 carloads and intermodal units, up 2.8% compared with the same week last year.
International consulting/engineering firm Ricardo Rail has appointed Brian Ruddy to the new role of Business Development Manager, U.S. to focus specifically on the domestic market. He will be based at Ricardo’s Chicago Technical Centre in Burr Ridge, Ill.
Rail transit professionals from around the world will convene in New York City Dec. 8-9 for the inaugural meeting of the UITP (International Association of Public Transport) International Rail Forum for North America.
Canadian Pacific announced Nov. 23 that it has been named a 2017 Military Friendly Employer by Victory Media, publisher of G.I. Jobs magazine. The award recognizes the many veterans, National Guard members, and reservists that CP employs.