news

Transit Briefs: Amtrak, SEPTA, CDOT/FRPR District, Santa Clara VTA

Amtrak advances upgrades and repairs at Lancaster Station. Also, April 2025 Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) ridership increases 6% from last year; SEPTA’s Efficiency & Accountability (E&A) Program recognizes $91 million in revenue and savings; the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) and the Front Range Passenger Rail (FRPR) District explore options to bring passenger rail service to the Front Range; and the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) launches a veteran discount fare pilot program.

(Logo Courtesy of USDOT)

USDOT: $607MM Approved for Infrastructure Projects

The U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) on May 15 reported approving another 76 infrastructure grants totaling more than $607 million. CRISI (Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvements) and RCE (Railroad Crossing Elimination) grants to be administered by the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) will support 13 projects totaling nearly $95 million.

(Screen Grab of Federal Register Document)

ASLRRA to OMB: Repeal 4 FRA Rules, 1 EPA Rule

The American Short Line and Regional Railroad Association (ASLRRA) on May 12 proposed deregulatory changes for the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA), Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and Transportation Security Administration (TSA) in response

New APTA Reports Show ‘Strong Industry Growth’

New data from two reports released by the American Public Transportation Association (APTA) on May 14 show that U.S. ridership has rebounded to 85% of pre-pandemic levels, “overwhelming office occupancy,” which remains at 52%. Together, the two reports reflect an industry in “strong recovery.”

(Courtesy of Keolis)

MBTA, Keolis Launch Renewable Diesel Pilot

Certain locomotives running on the MBTA (Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority) Commuter Rail system are now using renewable diesel, according to Keolis Commuter Services, which operates and maintains the railroad. As part of

(CN Photograph)

AAR: North American Rail Volume Up Through Week 19

For the first 19 weeks of 2025 (ending May 10), North American carload and intermodal traffic was up 3.5% from the same period last year, according to the Association of American Railroads’ (AAR) latest report. Both the United States and Canada saw gains, but Mexico experienced a loss.

Unifor's VIA Rail Canada Bargaining Committee. (CNW Group/Unifor)

Transit Briefs: Unifor/VIA Rail Canada, BART

Unifor’s VIA Rail Canada master bargaining committees are preparing to conduct strike votes. Also, how one San Francisco Bay Area Rapid Transit District (BART) station supports a city’s ecosystem of businesses, residents, and tourists.

Alstom recently installed 1,080 photovoltaic panels at its Sahagún site in Mexico, covering an area of over 15,000 square meters (© Iván Álvarez/Alstom 2025)

Supply Side: Alstom, Hitachi Rail

Alstom boosts sustainability with photovoltaic panels at its Sahagún plant in Mexico. Also, a Hitachi Rail-commissioned survey of 11,000 people in North America and Europe finds almost half expect to increase long-distance train travel in next five years.

Folu Adepitan of AITX (left) and Paula Dowell of HNTB Corporation. (Photographs courtesy of the respective organizations)

People News: AITX, Sound Transit, HNTB

Railcar lessor American Industrial Transport, Inc. (AITX) appoints Folu Adepitan as Vice President of Leasing, South. Also, Daphne Cross assumes the role of Chief Economic Development and Civil Rights Officer at Seattle’s Sound Transit; and Paula Dowell of HNTB Corporation transitions to National Integrated Planning Services Practice Leader.

“Have you ever wondered what the inside of a CN rail yard looks like? 🤔 Through a partnership with ORIGIN, an Indigenous technology company, CN is using immersive virtual reality to bring careers in the rail sector to life and inspire the next generation of talent,” the railroad reported via LinkedIn. (CN Photograph)

Class I Briefs: BNSF, CN, NS

BNSF provides an intermodal network update. Also, CN earns a Supplier Partner of the Year award from Coca-Cola Canada Bottling Limited and uses immersive virtual reality to bring railway careers to life; and Norfolk Southern’s (NS) Ed Elkins champions the message, “Moving Business Forward,” at the North American Rail Shippers Association Annual Meeting in Chicago.

(Rendering Courtesy of V6 Agronomy)

For Port of Johnstown, a New Terminal Facility

Specialty and conventional crop nutrient company V6 Agronomy will establish an eastern Ontario, Canada, import hub at the CN-served Port of Johnstown on the St. Lawrence Seaway. The organizations have entered into

(Courtesy of STB)

STB Appoints Senior Advisors

The Surface Transportation Board (STB) on May 12 reported the appointment of three senior advisors to Chairman Patrick J. Fuchs “to help drive reforms.”

(MTA Photograph)

NY Governor Signs FY26 State Budget Into Law

New York Gov. Kathy Hochul on May 9 signed new legislation as part of the Fiscal Year 2026 Enacted Budget to fully fund the Metropolitan Transportation Authority’s (MTA) $68.4 billion 2025-29 Capital

Upgrades are under way at Amtrak’s King Street Yard in Seattle, Wash. (Amtrak Photograph)
  • M/W

Amtrak Advances Seattle Rail Yard Upgrade Project

Major construction activities are under way at Amtrak’s King Street Yard in Seattle, Wash., for a new facility that will “enable modern, more efficient maintenance practices, and support the introduction of new,