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Commentary

Rail Equipment Expert Panel Takeaways

Railcar manufacturing inquiries and orders appear to have moderated, but the 2024 build outlook remains stable, modestly above replacement demand. Lease rates are holding up well at elevated levels. While locomotive parkings

The Office of Customer Experience is now open at Maryland Department of Transportation Maryland Transit Administration, which operates local and commuter buses, Light Rail, Metro Subway, MARC Train service and a Mobility paratransit system. (Maryland DOT Photograph)

Transit Briefs: MDOT MTA, NYMTA, STM, Skyline

The Maryland Department of Transportation Maryland Transit Administration (MDOT MTA) launches the Office of Customer Experience. Also, New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority’s (MTA) capital repairs are slated to cost $43 billion over five years; Société de transport de Montréal (STM) is cutting operating budget costs in 2024 due to a shortfall; and an amended Full Funding Grant Agreement has been signed for Honolulu’s Skyline.

BNSF Hobart: Record On-Time, Safety Stats

In 2023, BNSF’s Los Angeles Hobart Intermodal Facility set an on-time departure record of 94%, surpassing its previous record of 86%, set in 2012. These results, BNSF said, “were achieved all while

CPKC photo

Class I Briefs: CPKC, UP

Canadian Pacific Kansas City (CPKC) chooses Alberta Children’s Hospital Foundation as its primary charity partner for the 2024 CPKC Women’s Open. Also, Union Pacific (UP) is named to Fortune magazine’s list of World’s Most Admired Companies.

  • News

MARS Welcomes New Officers

The Midwest Association of Rail Shippers (MARS) has announced the members of its 2024 Executive Committee.

WMATA Proposes ‘Severe Cuts’ in FY2025 Budget (UPDATED, 2/2)

The Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) has released its proposed operating and capital budget for fiscal year 2025 (FY2025), which calls for “severe cuts” to address the agency’s $750 structural funding shortfall—a deficit equal to more than 25% of the operating budget—despite “proactive management actions” taken by WMATA to control expenses.

Commentary

Report: Activist Investor Attempting NS Takeover

According to an unsubstantiated late-Jan. 31 Wall Street Journal article, an investor group led by activist Ancora Holdings Group, LLC intends to run a proxy fight and replace Norfolk Southern President and

CPKC photo

CPKC Joins RailPulse™ Coalition

Canadian Pacific Kansas City (CPKC) on Feb. 1 announced that it has joined the RailPulse™ Coalition, becoming the third Class I railroad and the tenth member of the coalition, which was established in late 2020 to “to develop, broaden and accelerate the use of GPS and other telematics technologies on railcars that increase safety, efficiency, and visibility across North America’s freight rail industry.”

WMATA photo

Transit Briefs: WMATA, PANYNJ/PATH, Baton Rouge-New Orleans Passenger Rail Service, San Diego MTS

The Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) upgrades its ridership data portal with more detailed information. Also, the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey’s (PANYNJ) PATH commuter rail system sees consistent growth in 2023; the proposed Baton Rouge to New Orleans passenger train agreement is pushed back; and the San Diego Metropolitan Transportation System (MTS) unveils a 2024 transit security initiative.

UP has capitalized on population boom along the Gulf Coast to meet growing construction needs. (UP Photograph)

Class I Briefs: UP, CSX

Union Pacific (UP) reports having a “rocking good year” in 2023—literally. Also, CSX earns an Anthem Award for its “Pride in Service” community investment initiative.