(With additional commentary by James M. Tilley, Vice Chair, The Aurora Group, and President, Florida Coalition of Rail Passengers). On Dec. 18, Railway Age Editor-in-Chief William C. Vantuono reported on recently released
The Railroad Employee Equity and Fairness (REEF) Act is heading to President Joe Biden’s desk for signature, the Association of American Railroads (AAR) reported Dec. 18. Included in the National Defense Authorization
KC Streetcar #814 arrives in Kansas City. Also, the Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC) and Bay Area transit agencies debut new transit maps and signs; the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority’s (WMATA) budget proposal includes targeted rail service increases; and Amtrak releases its Fiscal Year 2024 (FY24) Year-End Summary video.
Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT) provides an update on proposed intercity passenger rail service from Oklahoma City, Okla., to Newton, Kans. Also, MTA Metro-North Railroad highlights its 2024 accomplishments; Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) teams with DePaul University to support small businesses; and Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) unveils holiday-themed light rail vehicles.
The Metropolitan Transit Authority of Harris County (METRO) breaks ground on a new facility to enhance rail operations. Also, New Rochelle, N.Y., officials unveil a $100 million proposal to redesign and reimagine the city’s historic transportation hub; and TriMet selects STV to enhance security and transit mobility in Portland.
Passenger rail in the United States has entered an important phase of development. Over the past few years, significant groundwork has been laid, driven by new federal initiatives and promising ridership numbers. But this momentum can’t be taken for granted. Continued investment and development are key to realizing the full potential of passenger rail in the U.S.
The first phase of the Foothill Gold Line Extension light rail line from Glendora to Pomona, Calif., will be transferred to LA Metro next month. Also, Amtrak and STARR Restaurant Group introduce a new seasonal menu on Acela First Class for customers traveling between Boston, New York, Philadelphia and Washington, D.C., on the Northeast Corridor (NEC); and the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) releases its Draft Environmental Assessment (EA) for the North Station Draw One Bridge Replacement Project.
Everyone who took a course in American History in high school learned that it was the railroads that tied the country together. We learned about President Abraham Lincoln’s campaign to build the
Amtrak completes upgrades at the G.K. Butterfield Station in Wilson, N.C. Also, the Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) deploys Fare Inspectors in plain clothes as part of evasion crackdown; and TriMet introduces a new way for riders to connect with customer service staff.
Amtrak on Dec. 3 announced that it has achieved an “all-time” ridership record in Fiscal Year 2024 (FY24), welcoming 32.8 million customers “as demand for passenger rail service continues to grow in markets across the nation.”