Blueprint Released for Passenger, Freight Service Growth in Southern California

California’s North County Transit District (NCTD) has announced the release of the San Diego Pathing Study, outlining how to phase expansion of passenger and freight rail services along the 351-mile Los Angeles – San Diego – San Luis Obispo (LOSSAN) rail corridor. The corridor is the second busiest in the nation, moving about $1 billion in freight and more than 8 million Amtrak and regional/commuter rail (NCTD COASTER and Metrolink) riders in a typical year.

Rail Industry ‘Ready to Work’ With President-Elect Biden (UPDATED)

With Joe Biden preparing to take the oath of office as the 46th president of the United States on Jan. 20, 2021, the Association of American Railroads (AAR), the American Short Line and Regional Railroad Association (ASLRRA), Amtrak, the American Public Transportation Association (APTA), and the Railway Supply Institute (RSI) are “ready to work” with him, his Administration and Congress—and help the industry, and the country, recover from the COVID-19 pandemic.

Supply Side: Capitol Corridor, Metro Transit, VIA Rail Canada Improving Rider Services

Northern California’s Capitol Corridor Joint Powers Authority (CCJPA) expects to complete its next-generation Wi-Fi upgrade project by early December to improve the rider experience. Minneapolis-Saint Paul Metro Transit awarded two communications contracts to Collins Aerospace Systems for its $2.003 billion Southwest LRT project, which will expand Green Line service. As well, VIA Rail Canada is working with IT and business consulting services firm CGI on a reservation modernization project to better serve customers.

Steady as She Goes

RAILWAY AGE, NOVEMBER 2020 ISSUE: Cindy Sanborn, a seasoned railroader who Norfolk Southern Chairman, President and CEO Jim Squires described as “one of the freight rail industry’s leading operations experts,” became the railroad’s Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer on Sept. 1, 2020. Mike Wheeler, Sanborn’s predecessor, retired on Oct. 1, 2020, after a 35-year career at the railroad.

Amtrak OIG Opioid Opinion

Some Amtrak employees are at risk of protracted prescription painkiller popping, Amtrak’s internal OIG (Office of Inspector General) says in a 40-page report, “SAFETY AND SECURITY: Expanded Random Drug Testing Could Help Further Detect and Deter Prescription Opioid Misuse.” The report notes that Amtrak “could strengthen its ability to detect and deter prescription opioid misuse among employees conducting safety-related work by expanding its random drug testing program.”

FRA’s SOGR Grant Awardees

The U.S. Department of Transportation (U.S. DOT) is distributing $291 million in grants among 11 projects under its FY 2020 Federal-State Partnership for State of Good Repair (SOGR) Program.

Take a Video Tour of Amtrak’s New Acela

In a newly released video, Amtrak Vice President Northeast Corridor Service Line Caroline Decker takes viewers on a tour of the onboard amenities and features that customers will be able to enjoy when the next generation of Acela trainsets launches in 2021.

Report: Virginia Passenger Rail Authority Launched

The Virginia Passenger Rail Authority (VPRA) met this week to discuss its new responsibilities of promoting and expanding passenger rail service in the Commonwealth, according to reports.

California, Connecticut, New Jersey Win $172.1MM in SOGR Grants

The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) has awarded grants to California’s North County Transit District (NCTD; $9.8 million), the Connecticut Department of Transportation (CTDOT) and Amtrak ($144 million), and New Jersey Transit ($18.3 million) under the FY 2020 Federal-State Partnership for State of Good Repair program.

Senate Commerce Gets An Earful of Rail

The U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation on Oct. 21 convened a hearing on the state of the U.S. passenger and freight rail network. Railroad, shipping and union representatives provided testimony, which included the impacts of COVID-19, legislative considerations for surface transportation reauthorization, and Amtrak’s ongoing struggles. Senator Roger Wicker (R-Miss.) is Chair of the Committee. Following are highlights from the presenters, with downloadable PDFs of their full written testimony.

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