New York court upholds MTA payroll tax
The New York State Court of Appeals turned down an appeal Thursday, Oct. 10, 2013 to overturn a payroll tax that helps fund the Metropolitan Transportation Authority.
news
BART operations continue through weekend
BART trains will continue to operate through most of the weekend of Oct. 12-13, 2013, as union representatativs and management agreed to extend contract talks late Thursday, Oct. 10, in an effort to reach contract agreement.
New GM for Santa Clara VTA
The Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority Board of Directors has appointed Nuria I. Fernandez general manager, following what it says was a nationwide search and 10-month recruitment process. She will assume her new role Dec. 1, 2013.
INRD dedicates new intermodal terminal
Indiana Rail Road Company (INRD) President and Chief Executive Officer Tom Hoback and Indiana Governor Mike Pence opened the new Senate Avenue Intermodal Terminal in Indianapolis on Thursday, Oct. 10, 2013. The facility represents a multi-million-dollar investment by INRD and CN built to serve Indiana shippers moving goods to and from Asia.
Intermodal powers U.S. freight traffic gains
U.S. intermodal volume continued its winning ways in the week ending Oct. 5, 2013, while U.S. freight carload volume, improving in recent weeks, slipped, the Association of American Railroads said Thursday, Oct. 10.
CTA adjusts fare payment options
The Chicago Transit Authority moved Wednesday, Oct. 9, 2013, to restore and retain, for now, use of magnetic strip cards in CTA vending machines, after two days of only offering its new Ventra fare payment system.
BNSF offers reward for gun attack on consist
The lead locomotive of a BNSF freight consist was struck at least 15 times by gunfire from an automobile pacing the train last month in central Washington state, roughly midway between Seattle and Spokane.
Metrolinx: Other Toronto LRT projects still go
Metrolinx on Wednesday, Oct. 9, 2013, affirmed its intent to advance two light rail transit extension projects in Toronto, notwithstanding the decision earlier this week to advance subway construction for the Scarborough Line.
GE Transportation sets RailConnect 360, ShipperConnect
Erie, Pa.-based GE Transportation on Wednesday, Oct. 9, 2013, unveiled its RailConnect 360 Monitoring and Diagnostics (M&D) and ShipperConnect software at the second annual Minds + Machines Conference in Chicago.
Bay Area buildup
Big cities can tout big projects. San Francisco keeps expanding its rail reach and effectiveness in big-city fashion out of proportion to its actual size.
Scarborough Line now voted a subway line
Toronto’s City Council Tuesday, Oct. 8, 2013, voted 24-to-20 to endorse revamping the Scarborough Line as an extension of the city’s subway system, giving Toronto Mayor Rob Ford a political victory.
Caltrain touts real-time website info
Caltrain said late Tuesday, Oct. 8, 2013, it had activated its real-time departure system, available in three locations on its website.
Amtrak solicits proposals for 30th St. Station
Amtrak, seeking redevelopment plans for 30th Street Station, Philadelphia, has asked for proposals submitted no later than Nov. 18, 2013.
APTA seeks input for MAP-21 plans
The American Public Transportation Association (APTA) noted Monday, Oct. 7, 2013, that the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) and the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) have jointly published proposed policy guidance and a request for comments concerning the role of metropolitan planning organizations (MPOs) in future transportation planning. APTA seeks to give active input into that process.
Metrolinx taps Wabtec for Tier 4 locomotives
Wilmerding, Pa.-based Wabtec Corp. said Tuesday, Oct. 8, 2013 its MotivePower subsidiary has signed a US$63 million contract with Canada’s Metrolinx to build 10 new, low-emission locomotives.
Amtrak revamps Great American Stations site
Amtrak announced Tuesday, Oct. 8, 2013, that its Amtrak GreatAmericanStations.com website is now upgraded “with new tools, resources, and information to help local communities discover and develop the economic power of America’s train stations.”
Kenosha delays streetcar decision
Kenosha, Wis.’s City Council voted to delay a decision to expand its existing streetcar operations, with different council members offering differing reasons on Monday, Oct. 7, 2013, for a two-week deferment.
CN’s Mongeau: Grain crop looks good
CN President and CEO Claude Mongeau said Monday, Oct. 7, 2013, current forecasts call for western Canada crop production to be one of the largest harvests in history, and he stressed that supply chain collaboration and information sharing will be essential to moving the crop efficiently.
CAF USA wins KC streetcar contract
Kansas City has awarded CAF USA, Inc. a $22 million contract for five streetcars to cover service on its initial 2.2-mile streetcar line downtown.
LIRR seeks to lease diesel consists
MTA Long Island Rail Road has issued a Request for Expressions of Interest (RFEI) for diesel locomotives and trailer passenger cars, in an effort to bolster service on one branch in Nassau County and a second mostly in Suffolk County, N.Y., “via a lease agreement.”