Wabtec Corporation has signed contracts worth about $45 million to provide equipment and services for a Positive Train Control (PTC) system for the Metra, the Northeast Illinois commuter rail system. The contracts are with Metra and Parsons Transportation Group (PTG).
New Jersey-based Stadler U.S. Inc., a subsidiary of Bussnang, Switzerland-based Stadler Rail Group, will open a temporary manufacturing and assembly facility in Utah as part of the first phase of its 15-year plan to expand North American manufacturing. Stadler Rail is currently selecting a U.S. manufacturing location. Utah, is in the running for the permanent location.
The TransLink Board of Directors has appointed Don Rose as its new Chair, effective Jan. 1, 2016. Rose, a senior corporate lawyer in Vancouver, has been a director on the TransLink board for the past five years.
GO Transit’s first MP54AC Tier 4-compliant diesel-electric locomotive from the MotivePower Inc. (MPI) Division of Wabtec has been delivered and underwent testing on the weekend of Dec. 12-13, 2015. No. 47 is part of a $4 million order for 11 MP54ACs announced in 2012.
The U.S. House of Representatives on Dec. 10, 2015 passed S. 808, the Surface Transportation Board (STB) Reauthorization Act of 2015, which among other provisions, will increase the number of STB members from three to five, improving STB’s structure and decision-making processes by allowing, with proper disclosure, board members to speak with one another about cases on which the STB is ruling.
Amtrak President and CEO Joe Boardman informed the Amtrak Board of Directors on Dec. 9, 2015 that he plans to retire from Amtrak in September 2016, following nearly eight years of service with the railroad.
SYSTRA on Dec. 9, 2015 announced the launch of its new website, www.systraconsulting.com, to help promote the company’s identity, culture, and expertise. Key features of the new site include a cleaner interface, and a more striking design. It also introduces an engaging user experience with improved navigation, and an enhanced search functionality aimed at “highlighting SYSTRA’s industry experience for prospective clients, partners and employees,” the company says.
Caltrain’s Board of Directors approved on Dec. 3, 2015 an increase to the adult base fare by 50 cents, effective Feb. 28, 2016. As a result, the amount paid for the day pass, 8-ride tickets and monthly passes will increase. Eligible discount fares will remain at 50% of adult ticket prices, and Clipper cardholders will continue to get an approximate 15% discount, Caltrain says.
TransLink is the first Canadian transportation organization to achieve platinum level status for sustainability from the American Public Transportation Association (APTA). This move from gold to platinum places TransLink at the top of Canada’s transportation organizations and one of four in North America, the agency says.
Led by a record of more than 8.2 million trips on its Northeast Regional service, Amtrak ridership and ticket revenue remained steady in Fiscal Year 2015, reflecting continued demand for passenger rail, the company announced Dec. 2. However, Amtrak notes that “significant and predictable investment is needed to ensure that intercity passenger rail will continue to deliver nationwide benefits including providing safe and reliable mobility and advancing America’s economy.”