news

The LACMTA Board of Directors on June 28 unanimously approved the establishment of the Transit Community Public Safety Department (TCPSD), whose objectives will be “increased visibility, accountability and consistent service delivery,” which LACMTA said will result in a safer transit system for employees and riders. (LACMTA Photograph)

Transit Briefs: LACMTA, LIRR, PATH, SEPTA, Sound Transit

Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (LACMTA) is establishing an in-house transit police department. Also, MTA Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) completes two station accessibility projects; Port Authority of New York and New Jersey’s (PANY/NJ) PATH surpasses 5 million riders in May, the first time since the pandemic’s onset; Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority’s (SEPTA) Board approves a wayfinding signage contract; and Seattle’s Sound Transit advances the Link Operations and Maintenance Facility South project.

Class I Briefs: CSX, NS, UP, CPKC, CN, BNSF

CSX is honored by the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR) for “exceptional support” of military employees. Also, Norfolk Southern (NS) highlights Thriving Communities grant recipient Citi Fields; Union Pacific (UP) releases a video of the Big Boy heading westward; Canadian Pacific Kansas City (CPKC) is named the Most Sustainable Company in the Transportation Industry by World Finance; CN opens the protective enclosure for its 2747 locomotive in Rotary Park, Winnipeg, and congratulates its transportation service partner TransX Group of Companies for winning the 2023 Hershey Carrier Award; and BNSF celebrates its Montana employees and welcomes former Montana Rail Link employees with the Employee Appreciation (EAS) train ride.

(National Railway Labor Conference Photograph)
Commentary

Freight Rail Employees Reach New Pay, Compensation Milestones

The average employee tenure at America’s largest freight railroads is more than double that of comparable industries and occupations, a reflection of the long, rewarding careers that are commonplace at railroads. And with another annual salary adjustment on July 1, the great pay and benefits that help make railroading a desirable career are increasing even further.

Transit Briefs: Govt. of Canada/Govt. of Quebec, Amtrak/NJ Transit, TransLink, MTA (Maryland)

The governments of Canada and Quebec invest C$163.5 million to plan a structuring public transit project in Gatineau. Also, Amtrak and NJ Transit execute a joint plan to “accelerate investigations of disruptions and improve reliability” between New York and New Jersey; TransLink releases a corporate cost-cutting plan to address its funding gap; and Maryland Gov. Wes Moore’s administration moves forward with plans for a new light rail project in Baltimore.

Amtrak will soon begin construction of a new, modern Connecticut River Bridge to replace the existing bridge, which opend in 1907. It is located on the Northeast Corridor between the towns of Old Saybrook and Old Lyme and used by Amtrak, CTRail’s Shore Line East and freight trains. (Amtrak Rendering)
  • M/W

Amtrak Awards Connecticut River Bridge Contract

Amtrak on June 28 reported awarding the O&G/Tutor Perini joint venture a construction contract to replace the existing Connecticut River Bridge, which opened in 1907 and links Old Saybrook and Old Lyme,

Six fully electric cranes power NS’s stacking operation at Austell, Ga., which the Class I says “represent a significant step toward reducing environmental impact and increasing operational efficiency.” (NS Photograph)

Class I Briefs: NS, UP

Norfolk Southern (NS) switches from a wheeled to a stacked operation at its Austell, Ga., intermodal terminal. Also, Union Pacific (UP) earns a 2023 Premier Supplier Award from Trinity Industries.

  • News

People News: R.J. Corman, RailPros, GPA

R.J. Corman Railroad Group appoints Alín Campián as Interim Chief Financial Officer (CFO). Also, RailPros hires Kyle D’Souza as Vice President, Corporate Development; and Georgia Ports Authority (GPA) appoints Flavio Batista as Chief Commercial Officer (CCO) and Rob Dooley as CFO.

(SEPTA Photograph)

SEPTA Board OKs $2.6B Budget for FY2025

The Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) Board has signed off on a $2.6 billion Fiscal Year (FY) 2025 budget proposal comprising a $1.74 billion Operating Budget and a $924 million Capital Budget,

(UP Photograph)
Commentary

UP’s Weather Battle Shifts to the North

Tough May weather in Texas, Arkansas and Louisiana plunged Union Pacific’s (UP) network velocity to a five-year low of 22.7 mph in the week ending June 7 and, after a modest uptick

RRB Budget Under House Siege

The Railroad Retirement Board June 27 reported that the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education and Related Agencies has allocated $100 million for the agency’s Fiscal Year 2025