news

“On behalf of our Amtrak guests who count on daily Heartland Flyer trains, we thank the Texas Transportation Commission for approving the state’s share of funding of the service from the NCTCOG and its RTC,” said Jennifer Mitchell, Amtrak Executive Vice Presiden, on Aug. 21. (Heartland Flyer Photograph, Courtesy of Amtrak)

Transit Briefs: Amtrak, KC Streetcar, SEPTA, BART, Brightline

The Texas Transportation Commission approves the state’s share of funding to keep Amtrak’s Heartland Flyer running. Also, Kansas City (KC) Streetcar begins full-service simulated testing ahead of the Main Street Extension’s fall launch; Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority’s (SEPTA) system-wide ridership in July was up 4% from the same month last year; San Francisco Bay Area Rapid Transit District (BART) celebrates the installation of Next Generation Fare Gates at all San Mateo County, Calif., stations; and Brightline, Florida’s private-sector passenger railroad, partners with Capital One.

  • News

People News: Arctic Gateway Group, SC Ports, NYS&W

Arctic Gateway Group (AGG) appoints three new members to its Board of Directors. Also, South Carolina Ports Authority President and CEO Barbara Melvin announces her resignation; and the New York, Susquehanna & Western Railway (NYS&W) appoints Katherine Bourdon as General Counsel.

Class I Briefs: BNSF, CPKC

BNSF opens its largest Logistics Center ever in North Houston. Also, Canadian Pacific Kansas City (CPKC) earns top marks on Amtrak’s annual Host Railroad Report Card.

Commentary

Amtrak Acela ‘NextGen’—Finally! (Updated)

The first five of Amtrak’s long-awaited, Alstom-built higher-speed trainset, the “NextGen Acela” (but also called “Acela II,” “America’s high-speed train,” and “Avelia Liberty” by the builder), are set to debut on the

(California High-Speed Rail Authority Image)

FRA Revokes California High-Speed Rail Funding, CHSRA Fires Back (UPDATED 8/21)

The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) will pull back approximately $4 billion in funding for the California High-Speed Rail Authority (CHSRA) high-speed rail project, the U.S. Department of Transportation reported July 16. CHSRA is suing the POTUS 47 Administration, according to California Gov. Gavin Newsom’s Office, and the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform is now investigating the project.

FTA Looks to Jettison CIG Carbon Calculation

The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) has proposed updated guidelines to remove what it claims is the “overly complex social cost of carbon calculation” as part of the rating criteria for transit grants

San Diego MTS Ridership Surges in FY25

The San Diego Metropolitan Transit System (MTS) on Aug. 20 announced that annual ridership surpassed 80 million passenger trips for the first time since the pandemic. The transit agency recorded 81,181,071 boardings during Fiscal Year 2025 (July 2024-June 2025), a 7.1% increase from the 75,663,343 trips taken in Fiscal Year 2024.

(Port NOLA Photograph)

Intermodal Briefs: Port NOLA, GPA

Cargo volumes at the Port of New Orleans (Port NOLA) rose in first-half 2025, “driven by Latin American trade growth and improved reliability.” Also, Georgia Ports Authority (GPA) earns a high ranking from S&P Global.

(MTA NYCT Photograph)

FTA Issues Warning to NYCT

The Federal Transit Administration on Aug. 19 reported that MTA New York City Transit (NYCT) has 30 days to address worker safety risks as required under a 2024 FTA Special Directive.

Transit Briefs: MDOT MTA, BART, NYMTA, Nova Scotia

The Maryland Department of Transportation Maryland Transit Administration (MDOT MTA) launches a new public awareness campaign. Also, Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) becomes the Bay Area’s first Tap and Ride system; the New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) renews its contract with retirement services provider Empower; and Nova Scotia seeks to study the potential of passenger rail in the Halifax area.

AAR: U.S. Rail Traffic Dips Slightly Through Week 33

Total U.S. weekly rail traffic for the week ending Aug. 16, 2025 (Week 33) came in at 512,970 carloads and intermodal units, down 0.7% from the same week in 2024, the Association of American Railroads (AAR) reported Aug. 20.

  • M/W

Amtrak Advances Three NEC Rail Yard Modernization Projects

Amtrak on Aug. 19 announced that it has awarded design-build contracts and begun pre-construction activities for three rail yard modernization projects on the Northeast Corridor (NEC) that the company says “will help improve service reliability and enable more efficient, world-class train maintenance.”