Virginia Railway Express (VRE) is backing Virginia’s $4 billion initiative to improve passenger and freight rail capacity and relieve automotive traffic congestion with a nearly $195 million contribution.
![U.S. Rep. Robin Kelly (D-Ill.) on June 25 reported on Twitter: “This morning I attended the ribbon-cutting ceremony for the newly renovated Amtrak platform at the Homewood Station. Commuters in the [Chicago] South Suburbs deserve safe, accessible and well-maintained public transportation, and this project does just that.” (Photograph Courtesy of Rep. Kelly via Twitter)](https://www.old.railwayage.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/Screen-Shot-2022-06-27-at-3.11.48-PM-315x168.png)
Amtrak has officially completed a $15 million project to bring ADA-compliance to its Homewood, Ill., station. Also, the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (LACMTA) Board has approved a new transit ambassador program; Metrolinx is advancing plans to bring GO Train service to Bowmanville, approximately 47 miles east of Toronto; New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) and accessibility advocates have reached a class action settlement agreement; New York Gov. Kathy Hochul has signed legislation to protect roughly 11,000 more transit workers against assault and harassment; and Vancouver’s TransLink is developing a transit-oriented development program.
The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) and Norfolk Southern (NS) are one step closer to finalizing an operating agreement to expand Amtrak passenger rail service in western Pennsylvania.
The North County Transit District (NCTD), a Surface Transportation Board (STB) designated rail common carrier, announced on June 27 the completion of insourcing of its rail equipment maintenance and train operations functions,
Amtrak, in partnership with NJ Transit and in coordination with the New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority, has entered into a $73 million, two-year contract with a team led by global engineering, consulting and design firm Arup to begin designing options for Gateway Program extensions and additions to the existing tracks, platforms and concourses in Penn Station New York. These facilities will be the first new ones since the original Pennsylvania Railroad New York Improvements Program in the early 20th century.
Effective July 5, 2022, Amtrak has separated the President and Chief Executive Officer functions, promoting Chief Commercial Officer Roger Harris to President, reporting to Stephen Gardner, who will have the sole title of CEO. Additionally, Senior Vice President Service Delivery & Operations Gerhard (Gery) Williams will be elevated to Executive Vice President Service Delivery & Operations, succeeding Scot Naparstek, who is retiring.
Amtrak announced that beginning on July 11, Northeast Regional service will offer a third daily departure from Norfolk, Va., and a second daily departure from Roanoke, Va., “giving customers more flexibility and
Amtrak has exercised an option with Siemens Mobility for an additional 50 ALC-42 (“Amtrak Long-Distance Charger, 4,200 HP”) diesel-electric locomotives, bringing the total contract value to $2 billion, including supplemental multiyear maintenance support. The amount also includes about $850 million in funding set aside when the initial order of 75 units was announced in 2018.
Amtrak is working toward replacement of B&P Tunnel in Baltimore.
The Vermont Agency of Transportation (AOT) has reported that Amtrak’s Ethan Allen Express will begin service to Burlington, Vt., next month. Also, Stantec has landed a contract extension for work on Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation’s (HART) light rail project; Southern California’s Metrolink is rolling out the next phase of its Earthquake Early Warning System; New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) has launched an online trip planner for riders considering new Grand Central Madison commutes; and a new San Diego Metropolitan Transit System (MTS) and North County Transit District (NCTD) program will offer free transit passes for young adults transitioning out of foster care.