An attack on reservations systems, social media threats to passengers and operations, suspicious bags left at a train station, and an active shooter at a station and onboard a train headed to the U.S.—all these scenarios were worked through during a recent training exercise that the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) and Transport Canada conducted with Amtrak and VIA Rail Canada.
Will the High Frequency Rail (HFR) in Canada be delayed? Also, Sacramento Regional Transit District (SacRT) receives the final funding needed to construct the Dos Rios Station; Brightline, Florida’s private-sector passenger railroad, will boost capacity between Miami and West Palm Beach; MTA Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) reports the strongest year in its nearly 200-year history; and applications are now being accepted for Transit Tech Lab’s challenges with the New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA), Port Authority of New York and New Jersey (PANY/NJ), New Jersey Transit (NJT), and New York City Department of Transportation (DOT).
Operation Lifesaver Canada (OL Canada) on Nov. 27 presented its annual Roger Cyr Awards recognizing one individual and one community for “exemplary and extraordinary contributions to enhancing rail safety in Canada.” Constable Trevor
Transport Canada on Oct. 18 reported that it will invest up to C$38 million in seven port projects in Quebec through the National Trade Corridors Fund. The Fund, a competitive, merit-based program,
Transport Canada on Oct. 11 reported that it will provide more than C$45 million for railway safety projects across the country. This includes C$44 million-plus for 231 projects through the Rail Safety
Anita Anand has added Canadian Minister of Transport to her role as President of the country’s Treasury Board. She succeeded Pablo Rodriquez, who stepped down after nearly a year-and-a-half on the job.
High-horsepower hydrogen locomotive CP 1200, with dedicated fuel tender CP 10001, has “successfully” completed its first phase of testing in a consist of three diesel locomotives and 152 gondolas, according to Canadian Pacific Kansas City (CPKC).
San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency (SFMTA) is forming a working group to address projected deficits for Municipal Railway (Muni). Also, Transport Canada is requiring VIA Rail to update its emergency management action plan after riders were stranded on an intercity passenger train; Brightline, Florida’s private-sector passenger railroad, now allows travel agents and others to book its rail service with flights; Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority’s (MARTA) Atlanta headquarters earns Energy Star Certification by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA); and Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation’s (HART) CEO receives a new multi-year contract.
Transport Canada invests C$11.8 million to expand Oyen Regional Rail Company’s Oyen Rail Yard in Alberta. Also, Genesee & Wyoming’s Riceboro Southern Railway (RSOR) celebrates 20 years of service.
Transport Canada on Oct. 13 announced the official launch of the Request for Proposals (RFP) for the High Frequency Rail (HFR) project to the three selected consortiums invited to participate. Proposals are due in summer 2024.