news

STB Sets 2Q25 Rail Cost Adjustment Factor

The Surface Transportation Board (STB) has adopted for second-quarter 2025 the rail cost adjustment factor (RCAF), which is defined as “an index formulated to represent changes in railroad costs incurred by the nation’s largest railroads over a specified period of time.”

Transit Briefs: GDOT, CATS

The Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) looks to create a passenger rail service between Atlanta and Savannah. Also, Charlotte Area Transit System’s (CATS) issues are uncovered in a Federal Transit Administration (FTA) audit.

NSR AMPS Traction G9 BEL in Revenue Service

OmniTRAX Ohio rail affiliate Newburgh & South Shore Railroad (NSR) on March 21 placed a battery-electric locomotive (BEL), the AMPS Traction G9, into regular linehaul revenue service. OmniTRAX describes its deployment as

Pictured, left to right: NYCT’s Bernard Jackson, William “Bill” Amarosa Jr., and Rachel Cohen; NCTD’s Lori A. Winfree; and HNTB’s Sandra M. Bucklew. (Photographs courtesy of the respective organizations, except for the photograph of Bernard Jackson, which is courtesy of DART.)
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People News: NYCT, NCTD, HNTB, Michael Baker International

MTA New York City Transit (NYCT) appoints three senior operational leaders. Also, North County Transit District (NCTD) names a Deputy CEO; HNTB, a Southeast Division Construction Services Leader; and Michael Baker International, a Vice President, Health and Safety.

Commentary

Transloading Is Key to a Flexible, Resilient Supply Chain

In today’s logistics landscape, supply chain flexibility is critical. Businesses must navigate shifting market demands, infrastructure challenges, and economic fluctuations while keeping transportation costs in check. Norfolk Southern transloading solutions seamlessly connect rail and truck, helping shippers move freight more efficiently.

ITS Logistics U.S. Port/Rail Ramp Freight Index for March 2025. (Image Courtesy of ITS Logistics)
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ITS Logistics Issues March US Port/Rail Ramp Freight Index

ITS Logistics on March 20 reported that Los Angeles/Long Beach, Calif., import volumes “remain strong following the Lunar New Year, and there are signs that the trucking capacity-to-demand ratio may soon start pushing rates up for dray and rail capacity.”

Commentary

SWARS Conference Takeaways

We attended the Southwest Association of Rail Shippers 2025 Annual Meeting in Dallas, March 18-19. Macro uncertainty was a clear theme across multiple presentations. Class I’s and short lines attested to tariff-related

“After 32 years, it’s time to say goodbye to the MetroCard and go all in on the fare payment system of the future,” MTA Chair and CEO Janno Lieber said March 19. (MTA Photograph)

Transit Briefs: NYMTA, San Diego MTS/NCTD, Sound Transit, Coastal Link

New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) is sunsetting MetroCard sales and distribution after 32 years. Also, California’s San Diego Metropolitan Transit System (MTS) and North County Transit District (NCTD) introduce Express Mode tap-and-go fare payment; Seattle’s Sound Transit pilots “wig wag train” to boost light rail safety; planning advances for the Coastal Link commuter rail corridor’s first proposed segment connecting Miami-Dade with Broward and Palm Beach counties in Florida.

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NCCC, BMWED Vote to Ratify National Agreement

The National Carriers Conference Committee (NCCC) and members of the Brotherhood of Maintenance of Way Employes Division (BMWED-IBT) have voted to ratify a national collective bargaining agreement reached in January that covers approximately 8,000 railroad employees at NCCC-represented carriers, “solidifying the momentum of the current bargaining round and reinforcing the industry’s commitment to providing competitive pay and benefits.”

CEO Jim Vena congratulates Union Pacific’s first-ever CEO Excellence Award honorees. (Caption and Photograph Courtesy of UP)
Commentary

UP Celebrates Inaugural CEO Excellence Award Recipients

Union Pacific (UP) recently held its inaugural CEO Excellence Awards, honoring 41 employees who made tremendous strides advancing the railroad’s Safety, Service and Operational Excellence strategy. The awards acknowledge many of the

(Logo Courtesy of STB)
Commentary

Advancing Passenger Rail: Early Insights From PRAC

The Passenger Rail Advisory Committee (PRAC), formed in fall 2024 under the Surface Transportation Board (STB), is an exciting development for the future of passenger rail in the United States. The committee, comprised

Commentary

STB Dems to Be Fired?

Will the President of the United States this week or next fire one or both of the Surface Transportation Board’s (STB) two Democratic members? Will Democrats Karen J. Hedlund and Robert E.

UP, NCFO Reach Tentative Agreement

Union Pacific (UP) and the National Conference of Firemen & Oilers (NCFO) on March 19 announced a tentative agreement that covers a five-year term and includes wage increases, additional vacation time, health and welfare benefits, and minor work rule changes.

AAR: U.S. Carloads, Intermodal Up for Week 11

U.S. rail traffic for the week ending March 15, 2025 (Week 11), came in at 503,473 carloads and intermodal units, rising 6.2% from the same week last year, based on 226,027 carloads—up 3.1% from 2024—and intermodal volume of 277,446 containers and trailers—up 8.8%, the Association of American Railroads (AAR) reported March 19.

Union Pacific’s Twin Cities Intermodal Terminal celebrated its fourth anniversary in January. (Photograph Courtesy of UP)

Class I Briefs: UP, CN

Four years after launch, Union Pacific’s (UP) Twin Cities Intermodal Terminal continues its growth path. Also, CN’s Winnipeg Engineering team debuts the “Safety Champion” belt.