BNSF’s Carter Tops ‘Women in Rail’ Lineup
Topping the list of reasons to attend Railway Age / RT&S Women in Rail, to be held Nov. 2 in Chicago, is opening speaker Judy Carter, Senior Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer at BNSF.
Amtrak
Commentary
Welcome to Amtrak Study Hall (UPDATED Aug. 14 with Additional Commentary)
The Federal Railroad Administration’s Congressionally mandated Long-Distance Service Study, launched in late October 2022, is roughly 50% complete. An interim, 120-page report (download below) was recently posted to the study’s website. It
Transit Briefs: Amtrak/NJT, NYMTA, TriMet, WMATA
Amtrak and New Jersey Transit’s (NJT) passenger rail service project between Andover, N.J., and Scranton, Pa., is advancing. Also, New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) launches an all-in-one mobile app for trip planning and service information; Tri-County Metropolitan Transportation District of Oregon (TriMet) leases a new office space; and the latest Washington Metrorail Safety Commission report highlights Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) missteps.
‘Women in Rail’ Event Set for Nov. 2
The industry conversation continues with Railway Age / RT&S Women in Rail 2023—our first in-person Women in Rail conference covering the freight, passenger and transit rail sectors. The Nov. 2 conference, presented
FRA: Amtrak Seeks ACSES II Amendments
On July 14, 2023, Amtrak submitted two Requests For Amendment (RFA) to the Federal Railroad Administration for its ACSES II system. The first, for Amtrak’s FRA-approved Positive Train Control Safety Plan (PTCSP)
Amtrak Seeks $873MM in FRA CHIP Funding
Amtrak has submitted applications for $873 million in Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) funding for the Chicago Hub Improvement Program (CHIP) to “provide faster and more reliable service to support the Midwest’s growing
NTSB: ‘Poor Track Conditions’ Led to 2021 Empire Builder Derailment
A combination of worn rail, vertical track deflection, subgrade instability and track misalignment led to the derailment of Amtrak’s westbound Empire Builder on Sept. 25, 2021, which killed three passengers and injured 49 passengers and crew members, according to the National Transportation Safety Board’s (NTSB) final investigation report, released July 27.
Transit Briefs: Amtrak, Brightline
Amtrak reports investing $770 million since 2011 in station accessibility upgrades and is working toward 100% project completion by 2029. Also, Brightline, Florida’s private-sector passenger railroad, launches a redesigned website and new native mobile app ahead of expanded service to Orlando.
Transit Briefs: LA Metro, RTD, VPRA/Amtrak, TTC, APTA
LA Metro continues to increase ridership with weekend riders driving growth. Also, the Regional Transportation District (RTD) Board of Directors approves new fare structure and equity analysis; ridership on the Virginia Passenger Rail Authority’s (VPRA) Amtrak Virginia service reaches all-time high; an early decommission of Toronto Transit Commission’s (TTC) Scarborough Rapid Transit (SRT) line is possible following derailment; and the American Public Transportation Association (APTA) recognizes HDR with 2023 Sustainability Commitment Award.
Transit Briefs: DART, LACMTA, OC Transpo, WMATA, Amtrak
Contract transit security officers will join Dallas (Tex.) Area Rapid Transit’s (DART) police and fare enforcement officer team. Also, Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (LACMTA) provides a progress report on its strategic goals in FY 2023 and reviews plans for FY 2024; Ottawa’s OC Transpo expects to resume light rail service this month on its Confederation Line; Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) begins rolling out new, higher faregates to help prevent fare evasion; and Amtrak’s public art program showcases two new installations at New York Penn Station.