Contract Disputes at VIA Rail, STM
Contract talks between VIA Rail Canada and Unifor have broken off, the union reported June 2. The federal conciliation period ended May 31; under Canadian labor law, following a 21-day cooling-off period,
VIA Rail
Transit Briefs: Unifor/VIA Rail Canada, BART
Unifor’s VIA Rail Canada master bargaining committees are preparing to conduct strike votes. Also, how one San Francisco Bay Area Rapid Transit District (BART) station supports a city’s ecosystem of businesses, residents, and tourists.
Transit Briefs: BART, Valley Metro, Skyline, VIA Rail
Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) seeks the public’s input on proposed 2026 less-than-inflation fare increase. Also, Valley Metro begins two-line rail system testing in downtown Phoenix to prepare for the opening of the South Central Extension/Downtown Hub; the Honolulu City Auditor releases a new audit on Skyline; and VIA Rail Canada (VIA Rail) launches a locomotive engineer program in northern Manitoba.
Transit Briefs: VIA Rail Canada, Sound Transit, WMATA
VIA Rail, Canada’s national passenger rail service, launches a request for qualifications (RFQ) for its Dorval Hub Project. Also, construction for a transit-oriented development (TOD) project begins on land contributed by Seattle’s Sound Transit and the City of Bellevue, Wash.; and Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) celebrates “cherry blossom season” with special train and bus wraps.
Transit Briefs: Metra, LACMTA, VIA Rail
Chicago’s Metra selects STV to support its procurement of new battery-electric, single-level trainsets. Also, Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (LACMTA) expands its TAP-to-Exit program; and VIA Rail Canada (VIA Rail) boosts ticket sales with a new partnership program.
U.S., Canadian Passenger Rail Stakeholders Partner on Preparedness
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.
Transit Briefs: VIA Rail Canada, ADOT, SEPTA, San Diego MTS
VIA Rail Canada (VIA Rail) launches Requests for Qualification (RFQ) for locomotives and cars to replace its Long-Distance, Regional and Remote fleet. Also, Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) advances its study on Phoenix-to-Tucson passenger rail service; Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) reports system-wide ridership for November; and San Diego (Calif.) Metropolitan Transit System (MTS) teams with a research firm to develop an equity statement and policy.
Transit Briefs: UNESCO Award; Canadian Transit Hub, TOD Projects
UNESCO recognizes New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority’s (MTA) Grand Central Madison with a “World’s Most Beautiful Passenger Station” interior award. Also, the Kitchener Central Transit Hub and Toronto’s 50 Wilson Heights TOD (transit-oriented development) advance in Ontario, Canada.
RAC Announces 2024 Safety Award Winners
The Railway Association of Canada (RAC) on Nov. 27 announced the winners of the 2024 Safety Awards, recognizing the contributions of Canadian railroaders in advancing safety on the country’s rail network.
Unifor Opens Bargaining With VIA Rail
Unifor Council 4000 and Local 100 representing more than 2,500 workers at VIA Rail have opened negotiations focusing on key issues affecting the workplace, the union announced Oct. 28.