WOMEN IN RAIL 2021
RAILWAY AGE, NOVEMBER 2021 ISSUE: Railway Age’s Women in Rail awards recognize leaders for driving their businesses forward while making a difference in the industry and in their communities.
Metra
Transit Briefs: Amtrak, Metra, MTA Metro-North, Trinity Metro
Amtrak is introducing new ticket kiosks. In addition, Chicago’s Metra has broken ground on the Peterson Ridge Station; MTA Metro-North Railroad has completed a $95 million renewal of its White Plains, N.Y., station; and Texas’ Trinity Metro has appointed Paul J. Ballard interim President and CEO.
You Can’t Steal a Bike When Railhead is Watching
Metra’s commitment to safety and sustainability includes operating special Bike Cars that can carry up to 16 bicycles. They’re easily identifiable by their blue and grey paint scheme, as well as a large white bicycle decal adjacent to the exterior doors. The two-wheeled “riders” on these cars are now more secure, thanks to Railhead Corp.
Transit Briefs: LACMTA; NYMTA; SFRTA; STM; Metra
Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (LACMTA) has installed earthquake early warning systems at 26 rail and bus division facilities. In addition, New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) is forming a subsidiary to oversee the new East Side Access project terminal; South Florida Regional Transportation Authority’s (SFRTA) Tri-Rail is resuming full service; Thales has delivered interlocking systems for three Société de Transport de Montréal (STM) rapid transit stations; and Wabtec will provide doors, brakes, HVAC systems and event recorders for Metra’s new multilevels.
Metra Unveils 2022 Operating, Capital Budgets
Chicago’s Metra has proposed a $900 million operating budget and $263 million capital budget for 2022; there is no fare increase.
Commentary
Decision Handed Down in UP-Metra Dispute
Judge pronounces common carrier obligation for “commuter rail” dead.
Amsted to Produce Truck Systems for Metra Multilevels
Alstom has selected Amsted Rail Transit to supply complete, assembled truck systems, plus couplers, draft gears and crash energy management systems, for the 200 multilevels it’s building for Metra commuter rail service in Chicago.
STB Issues Chicago Union Station Rent Decision
The Surface Transportation Board has resolved a long-running dispute between Amtrak and Metra, deciding that the Chicago commuter rail agency must pay $10.67 million annually for use of Amtrak’s Chicago Union Station.
Transit Briefs: Chicago DOT, FTA
The Chicago (Ill.) Department of Transportation (CDOT) has released a strategic transportation plan that it’s calling “the nation’s first” urban plan developed in the wake of the pandemic, economic and racial justice crises of 2020. Also, the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) is now accepting applications for its Outstanding Achievement Award for Excellence in Environmental Document Preparation.
Supply Side: Alstom, Grignard Pure, Nexxiot
Alstom will receive a $3.4 million federal grant to expand its Hornell, N.Y., manufacturing facility. In addition, Grignard Pure LLC’s antimicrobial air treatment solution has received EPA approval for use in intrastate transit and transportation applications, and Nexxiot has teamed with TransRail Innovation Group (TRIG) to provide freight car monitoring.