news

The 2.4-mile DC Streetcar, which launched its first phase in 2015 and second phase in 2016, runs free, daily trips along the H Street NE Corridor and Benning Road from Union Station to Oklahoma Avenue. Daily ridership is said to reach upwards of 3,500 passengers. (District Department of Transportation Photograph)

Transit Briefs: DC Streetcar, NJT, MDOT MTA, TransLink, MATA

The District Department of Transportation (Washington, D.C.) extends Jacobs’ program management contract for the DC Streetcar. Also, Forbes ranks New Jersey Transit (NJT) as a “best employer”; Maryland Department of Transportation Maryland Transit Administration (MDOT MTA) provides free Transit app upgrade to public transportation riders statewide; metro Vancouver’s TransLink launches a fare enforcement program; and Memphis (Tenn.) Area Transit Authority (MATA) suspends trolley service.

Heartland Co-op Building Grain Shuttle Facility on UP Network

The “strength of Union Pacific’s (UP) franchise and its focus on operational excellence” has led to a new Heartland Co-op grain shuttle facility being built on the Class I’s network in Millerton, Iowa, which will provide farmers “greater access to key markets.”

(Logo Courtesy of the STB)

AAR to STB: Where’s the Template?

The six Class I railroads’ ability to meet their first reporting deadline under the Surface Transportation Board’s (STB) final rule on Reciprocal Switching for Inadequate Service “is in jeopardy,” the Association of American

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TCU, CSX Reach Local Agreement; BMWED-ID Ratifies New NICTD Agreement

The Transportation Communications Union (TCU) reaches a local agreement with CSX Transportation. Also, the Burlington System Division of the Brotherhood of Maintenance of Way Employes Division-International Brotherhood of Teamsters (BMWED-ID) ratifies a new agreement with the Northern Indiana Commuter Transportation District (NICTD).

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Court Sides With Rails Against STB Rate Ruling

An attempt by the Surface Transportation Board (STB) to decide complex maximum freight-rate challenges by choosing one of two suggested remedies—one by the shipper; the other by the railroad—was derailed Aug. 20 in a unanimous decision of the 8th Circuit Court of Appeals. The court found the STB’s 2022 Final Offer Rate Review (FORR) rulemaking exceeded the agency’s statutory authority.

Caterpillar Inc.’s Lafayette, Ind., large-engine facility (pictured) will be expanded to boost production capacity for new engines and aftermarket parts, including those for rail applications. (Screen Grab from Caterpillar Video)
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Supply Side: Caterpillar, WSP, AtkinsRéalis

Caterpillar Inc., the parent company of Progress Rail, is expanding its large-engine facility in Lafayette, Ind. Also, WSP and 10 other public and private agencies sign the Equity in Infrastructure Project pledge as a commitment to improving diversity in public contracting; and Montreal, Quebec-based AtkinsRéalis Group Inc. lands a Network Rail contract to upgrade signaling and telecommunications infrastructure in the U.K.

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People News: NS, APTA

Norfolk Southern’s (NS) Assistant Vice President Workforce Experience Jason Pettway has been named to the Atlanta Business League’s 2024 Men of Influence list. Also, the American Public Transportation Association’s (APTA) Nominating Committee selects its 2024-2025 Board Executives.

STB Establishes Procedural Schedule in Amtrak Sunset Limited OTP Proceeding

The Surface Transportation Board (STB) on Aug. 19 issued a decision to “establish a procedural schedule, address several motions and filings, and provide other directives” regarding its investigation into the on-time performance (OTP) of Amtrak’s Sunset Limited service between New Orleans, La., and Los Angeles, Calif. STB is establishing the procedural schedule in anticipation of the end of the discovery period on Aug. 23, 2024, in the interest of advancing the proceeding.

Beth Whited to open Women in Rail event
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UP’s Whited Headlining 2024 Women in Rail Event

What is Beth Whited’s backstory? How can her journey to becoming the first female president in Union Pacific’s history and the lessons she’s learned along the way help you in your career? Learn more during the kick-off session with Whited at the Railway Age / RT&S Women in Rail Conference, taking place Nov. 5-6 in Chicago.

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People News: STV, Lochner

Tara Soesbee joins STV as Vice President of Rolling Stock Client Engagement. Also, Dan Manojlovski joins H.W. Lochner, Inc. (Lochner) as Chief Operating Officer.

“We’re proud to be recognized by the Texas Veterans Commission [TVC] with its ‘Large Employer of the Year’ award!” BNSF reported Aug. 16 via social media. Pictured, from left to right: TVC District Manager Jo Ikard, TVC Veteran Employee Liaison Jay Zimmerman, BNSF Director of Talent Acquisition Kelly Jimenez and TVC Division Director Charlie Catoe at the TVC awards ceremony Aug. 9 in Humble, Tex. (BNSF Photograph)

Class I Briefs: BNSF, UP

BNSF provides an operational update and earns the title of “Large Employer of the Year” for Texas veterans. Also, Union Pacific’s (UP) Engineering team in Nampa, Idaho, marks a safety milestone.

Transit Briefs: DART, SBCTA

Dallas Area Rapid Transit’s (DART) Orange Line celebrates a decade of providing service to DFW Airport. Also, state and federal leaders join the San Bernardino County Transportation Authority (SBCTA), Stadler and Metrolink to celebrate the technology behind the Zero Emission Multiple Unit (ZEMU).

Commentary

Rail Emissions Regulation on Wrong Track

As my constituents in Upstate New York and Americans across the nation face a historic affordability crisis, conditions are set to get a lot worse if the California Air Resources Board (CARB)