TRB Panel: Bolstering Multimodal Transportation Options

Continued coordination between public and private entities through data sharing, as well as meaningful dialogue between federal, state and local officials over issues such as land use, are necessary conditions for the

(Image of AAR, ASLRRA Comments to FRA Courtesy of ASLRRA)

Industry Responds to Potential PTC Reg Changes

The Association of American Railroads (AAR) and the American Short Line and Regional Railroad Association (ASLRRA) earlier this month submitted comments to the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) regarding its proposal to amend regulations governing PTC (Positive Train Control) systems to address temporary situations when the technology is not enabled.

(Alstom Photograph)

Alstom Lands GO Transit Bilevel Overhaul Contract

Alstom on Jan. 15 reported signing a framework agreement valued at approximately C$500 million with Metrolinx to refurbish 181 Series VIII bilevel commuter railcars for GO Transit in Ontario, Canada.

MTA on Jan. 14 released data on traffic volumes, travel times, and transit ridership from the congestion relief program’s first week. The program took effect Sunday, Jan. 5, 2025. (MTA Photograph)

Transit Briefs: New York/MTA, Massachusetts/MBTA, Rio Metro, DART, UTA, VTA

New York Gov. Kathy Hochul announces MTA New York City subway safety initiatives. Also, MTA releases preliminary traffic and transit data from the congestion relief program’s first work week; Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey plans an $8 billion investment to improve regional transit, roads, and bridges and to stabilize MBTA finances; New Mexico’s Rio Metro Regional Transit District (Rio Metro) lands a federal grant for a new commuter rail Operations and Maintenance Facility; progress on Dallas Area Rapid Transit’s (DART) Silver Line continues with passenger service targeted for late 2025 or early 2026; Utah Transit Authority’s (UTA) ridership recovery reaches near pre-pandemic levels; and Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) and 17 other transit agencies sign the Equity In Infrastructure Project Pledge.

People News: Port of Los Angeles, HDR, NS

The Port of Los Angeles promotes Artie Mandel to Director of Government Affairs. Also, Grace Baird joins HDR as Overhead Contact Systems Practice Lead; and Norfolk Southern Executive Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer Ed Elkins is named Georgia Chamber’s 2025 Chair.

(Union Pacific Photograph)

For North American Rail Traffic, a Positive Start to 2025

Total North American carload and intermodal traffic rose 1.5% through the first two weeks of the new year compared with the same period in 2024, the Association of American Railroads (AAR) reported Jan. 15. The United States and Canada saw gains, while Mexico experienced a loss through the week ending Jan. 11, 2025.

RBMN Iron Horse Ramble with iconic Reading Company T-1 class #2102 steam locomotive. (William C. Vantuono Photograph)

RBMN Passenger Department Sets Record (Updated)

The Reading & Northern Railroad (RBMN) Passenger Department set a record in 2024 with an increase in its overall annual ridership, which rose 5% from 2023 to nearly 340,000 on the Lehigh

‘ONE CSX’ Commemorated in Special Livery (Updated With Video)

CSX has unveiled its latest special edition locomotive painted by the team at the Waycross, Ga., shops. “This locomotive celebrates our ONE CSX team and culture,” President and CEO Joe Hinrichs, Railway

STO Taps Groupe Porteur for Gatineau-Ottawa Tramway

The Société de transport de l’Outaouais (STO) announced Jan. 14 that it has awarded the contract for professional, technical, and multidisciplinary services on the 24-kilometer (15-mile) Gatineau-Ottawa tramway project, which will link downtown Gatineau to Ottawa, to Groupe Porteur.

(David C. Lester Photograph)

Brightline Onboard Workers Sign On With TWU

The approximately 100 onboard and lead attendants at Brightline, Florida’s private-sector passenger railroad, have voted to join Transport Workers Union of America (TWU).

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