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Commentary

Seriously Amtrak? What Were You Thinking?

Well, I guess everyone saw it coming, but learning this week about Amtrak’s massive reductions-in-force (RIFs) was still a shock. And in my view, it’s another example of Amtrak scoring an “own

“NJ TRANSIT President & CEO Kris Kolluri, ATU International Vice President Ray Greaves, ATU Chair, New Jersey State Council Orlando Riley and Senior Vice President of Surface Transit Mike Kilcoyne are pleased to announce a fair and fiscally responsible tentative agreement,” New Jersey Transit reported via LinkedIn on May 7. (NJ Transit Photograph)

Labor Negotiations Advance at NJ Transit (UPDATED 5/12)

New Jersey Transit (NJ Transit) and its largest union, the Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU), on May 7 reported reaching a “fair and fiscally responsible” tentative agreement. Meanwhile, the National Mediation Board has called the agency and the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET) to meet in Washington, D.C., ahead of a potential May 16 work stoppage.

An artist's rendering of Scarlett Station, one of two above-ground stations on the 5.7-mile Eglinton Crosstown West Extension project, which will also include four underground stations and one at-grade/trenched terminus station. (Metrolinx Image)

Transit Briefs: Metrolinx, LACMTA, Brightline, Amtrak

Canada’s Infrastructure Ontario and Metrolinx are evaluating Stations, Rail and Systems (SRS) package proposals for the Eglinton Crosstown West Extension in Toronto. Also, Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (LACMTA) selects the chief who will lead its new in-house public safety department; Brightline, Florida’s private-sector passenger railroad, teams with Industrious to offer riders “on-the-go” workspaces; and Amtrak and Crayola partner to promote family travel.

(Norfolk Southern photo)

Class I Briefs: NS, CSX

Norfolk Southern (NS) launches Trades on Track scholarship. Also, CSX is named the 2024 Carrier of the Year by Diversified CPC and Highroad Consulting and provides tablets for Train and Engine (T&E) employees.

Port of Montreal Releases 2024 Operating Results

The Port of Montreal Authority (MPA) on May 7 released the Port of Montreal’s 2024 operating results, showing “stable volumes” compared to 2023, $143 million in operating results, and $22.6 million in net earnings. The year was characterized by “several major port infrastructure projects, milestones in the energy transition, and many high points in community engagement.”

AC/DC Dynamics

RAILWAY AGE MAY 2025 ISSUE: Railinc’s analysis of the North American locomotive fleet reveals that the size of the total fleet increased slightly in 2024. Detailed analysis reveals the following trends: The long-term

Commentary

Why High-Speed Rail is Headache-Inducing

FINANCIAL EDGE, RAILWAY AGE MAY 2025 ISSUE: Who doesn’t need a break from government these days? If the tariff instigated stock market rollercoaster isn’t nightmarish enough, the $200 million ad campaign of

Commentary

Building Beneficial Bridges

FROM THE EDITOR, RAILWAY AGE MAY 2025 ISSUE: Frank N. Wilner, in his May “Watching Washington” column, talks about “bridges of understanding” that could “be built between discordant rail labor and rail