The Surface Transportation Board (STB) has adopted for first-quarter 2026 the rail cost adjustment factor (RCAF), which is defined as “an index formulated to represent changes in railroad costs incurred by the nation’s largest railroads over a specified period of time.”
The Senate Dec. 18 voted 53-43, along party lines, to confirm STB member Michelle A. Schultz to a second two-year term on the five-member agency.
The New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) announces major congestion pricing-funded subway improvement projects moving forward. Also, Canada and TransLink invest in traction power upgrades across Metro Vancouver’s SkyTrain network; and KC Streetcar’s Riverfront Extension officially enters the testing phase.
The Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET) and the Brotherhood of Maintenance of Way Employes Division (BMWED), representing 53% of the unionized workforce at Union Pacific (UP) and Norfolk Southern (NS), on Dec. 17 announced their opposition to the $85 billion plan to merge the two Class I railroads. On Dec. 22, the Brotherhood of Railroad Signalmen (BRS) also reported opposing the UP-NS combination.
Association of American Railroads (AAR) subsidiary Railinc teams with NC State University on a “modal rebalancing” study. Also, commercial rail transport management and consulting firm AllTranstek, LLC (AllTranstek) is the prevailing bidder for RAS Data Services’ (RAS) assets.
Denver, Colo.-based Alpenglow Rail and partner Toronto, Canada-based Connor, Clark & Lunn Infrastructure (CC&L Infrastructure) on Dec. 17 reported closing “an inaugural private placement financing” that raised C$280 million-plus, a transaction described as “oversubscribed” and receiving an “investment grade rating.”
Canadian Pacific Kansas City (CPKC) names its 2024 Safe Shipper Award honorees. Also, Union Pacific (UP) is developing a 2,040-acre industrial park just outside Houston, Tex.
The American Short Line and Regional Railroad Association (ASLRRA) has named Matt Carne, Senior Manager, Safety & Training, Modesto & Empire Traction Company, as its 2026 Safety Professional of the Year, and
Alstom will supply 47 DMUs for the government’s passenger revival program.
Illinois Governor JB Pritzker on Dec. 16 signed the Northern Illinois Transit Authority (NITA) Act, SB2111, into law, “marking a landmark action in modernizing Illinois’ transit system.” The law creates a new regional authority to oversee the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA), Metra, and Pace, “while delivering significant investments in public transit, capital projects, and tollways across the state—all without raising statewide taxes.”