Brightline, Siemens and Herzog plan to employ 150 highly skilled technical positions at Basecamp, Brightline’s new $100 million state-of-the-art train maintenance facility that can service up to 16 trains at a time. (Screen grab courtesy of Brightline)

Transit Briefs: Brightline, Northern Lights Express, Tri-Rail, SEPTA

Brightline teams with Valencia College to bring highly skilled jobs to Central Florida. Also, Minnesota is closer than ever to funding the proposed Northern Lights Express (NLX); Tri-Rail ridership continues upward trend in first quarter 2023; and the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) releases proposed Fiscal Year 2024 Operating Budget.

Commentary

Aberdeen, South Dakota: Where Railroading Roots Run Deep

In the northeast corner of South Dakota, nestled in the James River Valley, is the town of Aberdeen. Nicknamed “Hub City,” Aberdeen’s many railroad tracks intersect here, just like spokes on a wheel. With eight trains daily passing through the town of 28,000, South Dakota’s third-largest city still has “ties” to deep railroading roots.

An 18-month pilot could launch in summer 2024 “with the intention of eventually making free and reduced transfers a permanent policy across the Bay Area,” according to a Bay City News Foundation report.

Transit Briefs: BART, LACMTA, Metra

San Francisco Bay Area public transit officials consider a “free transfer” pilot. Also, the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority’s (LACMTA) drug-free campaign on three light rail lines is showing promise; and Union Pacific (UP) is transferring its Chicago commuter rail services to Metra.

(BNSF Photograph)

BNSF: Paid Sick Leave Added for IBB

BNSF on March 17 reported reaching an agreement with the International Brotherhood of Boilermakers (IBB) for paid sick leave.

Starting April 1, NS will run daily service between The Port of Virginia and its regional intermodal terminal near Memphis, Tenn.

NS to Offer Daily Port of Virginia-Tennessee Service

The Port of Virginia is expanding its “westward reach” starting April 1 with new daily rail service between the port’s primary container terminals and Norfolk Southern’s (NS) regional intermodal terminal near Memphis,

NS, SMART-MD and IBEW Agree to Paid Sick Leave

Norfolk Southern (NS) has reached agreements with two additional labor unions for paid sick leave: the International Association of Sheet Metal, Air, Rail, Transportation Workers, Mechanical Department (SMART-MD) and the International Brotherhood

Report: BNSF Moves Ahead on Arizona Intermodal Project

BNSF is advancing a planned 4,000-acre intermodal and industrial center project in Surprise, Ariz., following the City Council’s approval on March 7.

(SMART Photograph)

Three Unions File Outsourcing Suit Against BNSF

The International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW); International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) District 19; and International Association of Sheet Metal, Air, Rail and Transportation Workers-Mechanical and Engineering Department (SMART-MD)

BNSF, IAMAW, BRS and SMART-MD Agreed to Paid Sick Leave

BNSF on March 9 reported reaching agreements with the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAMAW); the Brotherhood of Railroad Signalmen (BRS); and the International Association of Sheet Metal, Air, Rail and Transportation Workers-Mechanical and Engineering Department (SMART-MD) for paid sick leave.

Pictured: MRL manifest approaching Bozeman, Mont. (Bruce Kelly Photograph)

STB OKs MRL Rails’ Return to BNSF

The Surface Transportation Board (STB) on March 8 approved Montana Rail Link’s (MRL) petition to cease operating over main line between Huntley, Mont., and Sandpoint, Idaho, under a long-term lease with BNSF.

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