Amtrak Archives

A daily roundtrip will be added to the Piedmont starting July 10, according to Amtrak, which operates the intercity passenger train for NCDOT. (NCDOT Photograph)

May 19, 2023
Passenger

Transit Briefs: Amtrak, CTA, TransLink/TTC, WMATA

Amtrak and the North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) are boosting Piedmont service between Charlotte and Raleigh. Also, Chicago Transit Authority’s (CTA) Transit-Supportive Development Plan for the Red Line Extension project has been adopted; Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) and Vancouver’s TransLink wrap up a pilot testing the effectiveness of antimicrobial copper coatings on high-touch vehicle services; TTC opens a community office ahead of construction at the Bloor-Yonge Station; and Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) celebrates the grand opening of its 98th station.

(Amtrak train on the Keystone Corridor, Jim Blaze Photograph)

May 18, 2023
Intercity

OIG Identifies Fraud Risks as Amtrak Begins Large Acquisitions, Infrastructure Programs

Amtrak’s Office of Inspector General has released a report outlining fraud risks “America’s Railroad” could face as it leverages significant federal investments for major acquisitions and capital projects.

The new Bramalea GO Station building opened in 2021. (Metrolinx photo)

May 16, 2023
Passenger

Transit Briefs: APTA, Amtrak F+B Working Group, Arup, Metrolinx, NJ Transit/UITP/Rutgers CAIT

The American Public Transportation Association (APTA) “strongly urges” public transit agencies to obligate remaining COVID-19 funds as soon as possible. Also, the Amtrak Food & Beverage Working Group sends recommendations to Congress after year-long analysis of Amtrak onboard service; Arup supports Metrolinx plans to electrify Canada’s largest commuter rail network; construction is now complete at Metrolinx’s Bramalea GO Station; and registration is now open for first courses at the International Association of Public Transport’s (UITP) North American Regional Training Center hosted by NJ Transit and Rutgers Center for Advanced Infrastructure and Transportation (CAIT).

Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transit on May 10 took delivery of the 19th of 20 four-car light metro trains from Hitachi. It is gearing up for a June 30 launch of the first 10.8-mile segment of its nearly 20-mile line. (HART Photograph)

May 12, 2023
Passenger

Transit Briefs: BART, HART, Metra

San Francisco Bay Area Rapid Transit District (BART) is bringing wireless broadband to its Fleet of the Future cars. Also, the launch date has been announced for Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transit’s (HART) long-awaited light metro service, as the 19th of 20 four-car trains arrive; and Chicago’s Metra breaks ground on its $14.5 million Homewood Station renovation project.

The CTA Board on May 10 signed off on an ordinance that makes permanent recent part-time student and tiered-pricing pilot programs for the agency’s U-Pass Program. (CTA Photograph Courtesy of the Federal Transit Administration)

May 11, 2023
Passenger

Transit Briefs: CTA, Metrolinx, Washington Union Station

Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) makes permanent two discounted fare-pass programs for students at participating high-education institutions, and releases its monthly service/operations “scorecard.” Also, Ricardo will provide safety assessment support for Metrolinx’s Ontario Line project in Toronto; and Washington, D.C.-area legislators seek federal funding and an expedited timeline for the multi-billion-dollar Washington Union Station Expansion Project.

May 10, 2023
Passenger

Transit Briefs: NYMTA, LA Metro, Amtrak/CSX/VRE

The New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) completes renovation of the J/Z line section of the Sutphin Avenue JFK Airport subway station, as part of New York City Transit’s (NYCT) Re-NEW-vation campaign. Also, LA Metro launches Equity Information Hub; and the State of Virginia partners with Amtrak, CSX and Virginia Railway Express (VRE) on the Long Bridge project.

May 10, 2023
M/W

BRS, Amtrak Ratify New Collective Bargaining Agreement

The Brotherhood of Railroad Signalmen (BRS) on May 5 ratified a new seven-year collective bargaining agreement with Amtrak following nearly 18 months of negotiations.

Frederick Douglass Tunnel with Electrified Trains (Amtrak image)

May 05, 2023
M/W

Take a Look: Amtrak’s B&P Tunnel Replacement Program

Amtrak, which has begun early construction activities as part of its $6 billion B&P Tunnel Replacement Program, on May 5 released a series of project renderings. The first project kicked off in March

Amtrak and the Illinois Department of Transportation have received federal approval to raise speeds from 90 mph to up to 110 mph for most of the Chicago-St. Louis corridor, primarily between the Joliet and Alton stations. (Amtrak Photograph)

May 03, 2023
Passenger

Transit Briefs: Amtrak, Metrolinx, NYMTA, TransLink

Amtrak can now operate up to 110 mph through most of the Chicago-St. Louis corridor, and awaits approval of a federal grant to plan an Oklahoma City-Newton, Kans., connection. Also, Metrolinx offers a new way to pay for transit fares in the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area; New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) reports nearly $500 million in upgrades to Brooklyn’s Broadway Junction subway station complex, and could consider re-instating Twitter to publish service alerts; and TransLink ridership in Metro Vancouver rebounds in 2022.

April 27, 2023
Passenger

Transit Briefs: NYMTA, MARTA, Amtrak, Keolis, RTD

The New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) completes renovation of Atlantic Avenue-Barclays Center subway station, as part of New York City Transit’s (NYCT) Re-NEW-vation campaign. Also, the Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA) advances Kensington transit-oriented development (TOD) with rezoning approval; Amtrak plans $13 million project at Union Station in Meridian, Miss.; Keolis joins Latinos In Transit as business partner; and the Regional Transportation District’s (RTD) W Line marks a milestone with 10 years of service.