APTA touts 2013 public transit ridership

More Americans relied on public transit (bus and rail) in 2013 than in any year since 1956, the American Public Transportation Association (APTA) said Monday, March 10, 2014.

Amtrak sets key 2014 capital projects

During 2014, Amtrak plans to move forward on key capital improvement projects, including continued installation of PTC (Positive Train Control) safety technology, the start of major construction to upgrade Northeast Corridor high speed rail, and expansion of station accessibility for passengers with disabilities.

MBCR heads to court over MBTA rail contract

MBCR (Massachusetts Bay Commuter Railroad), contract operator of Boston’s commuter rail system since July 2003, has gone to court in an attempt to block the MBTA (Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority) from awarding a new contract to a competitor.

Proposed FY15 budget bolsters New Starts

President Obama’s proposed fiscal year 2015 budget has already been questioned, per norm, by various congressional quarters. But the proposals outlined for Federal Transit Administration (FTA) grant programs are generally receiving warm reception from various geographic points, and tolerance, if not enthusiasm, across the political aisle.

TEX Rail gets $50 million boost

Fort Worth’s TEX Rail regional passenger rail project will benefit from $50 million budgeted in its fiscal year 2015 budget, Fort Worth Transportation Authority (“The T”) said Tuesday, March 4, 2014.

More top NJT execs reported dismissed

Two more top New Jersey Transit executives have been reported on the way out following the start March 1, 2014 of Veronique “Ronnie” Hakim’s tenure as NJT Executive Director, succeeding Jim Weinstein.

SFRTA names new executive director

Jack Stephens has been named executive director of the South Florida Regional Transportation Authority (SFRTA), succeeding Joseph Giulietti. SFRTA’s governing board awarded Stephens a one-year contract.

Thank you, Ross Capon

My first encounter with Ross Capon was some 40-plus years ago when he was Special Assistant for Railroad Operations to Massachusetts Governor Francis (Frank) Sargent’s administration. I was a member of the Advisory Board (Budgetary Approval Board) of the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) in the early 1970s, and an active participant in the Advisory Board’s Commuter Rail Subcommittee, representing the City of Melrose.

Caltrain electrification plan advances

Caltrain has released its draft environmental impact report for its planned electrification of right-of-way between San Francisco and San Jose, a distance of roughly 51 miles.

CN completes Deux-Montagnes line sale

CN on Feb. 28, 2014 closed the sale of its right-of-way principally used by Agence Métropolitaine de Transports (AMT) commuter trains between Deux-Montagnes and Montreal’s Central Station to AMT for C$97 million.
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