Transit Briefs: Amtrak Virginia, Amtrak/NJ Transit, SEPTA, WMATA

Amtrak Virginia begins service to the Newport News Transportation Center. Also, Amtrak and NJ Transit announce a series of actions that both companies will take following a spike of service disruptions in New Jersey and New York Penn Station during May and June; the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) enhances safety measures for the new school year; and the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority’s (WMATA) Board of Directors approves a new four-year contract with Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU) Local 689.

Virginia DRPT Awards ‘Truck Diversion’ Grants

The Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation (DRPT) has awarded Rail Industrial Access Program grants to SharpTech USA LLC, Queen City Logistics Center LLC and Norfolk Terminal LP to rehabilitate existing

DRPT photo

Virginia DRPT Releases Draft Six-Year Improvement Program

The Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation (DRPT) has released its draft Fiscal Year (FY) 2025-2030 Six-Year Improvement Program (SYIP), which allocates nearly $6.2 billion for public transportation and freight and passenger rail over the next six fiscal years.

Virginia DRPT ‘Creating Connections’

The Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation (DRPT) is launching “Creating Connections: For the Long Haul,” a marketing campaign “aimed at showcasing the vital role of freight rail in Virginia’s transportation

Cathcart, which operates Belpre Industrial Parkersburg Railroad (pictured), is investing more than $10 million to expand its Kansas City, Mo., railcar repair facility. Belpre Industrial Parkersburg Railroad was a Railway Age 2021 Short Line of the Year Honorable Mention. (Photograph Courtesy of Belpre Industrial Parkersburg Railroad)

Industrial Development Briefs: Cathcart, Buffalo, Virginia CTB

Cathcart Rail (Cathcart) is expanding its railcar repair facility in Kansas City, Mo. Also, Buffalo Rail & Infrastructure Corporation (Buffalo) acquires Canfor Pulp Products’ pulp mill assets, including 300-plus acres of heavy industrial land, in Taylor, B.C.; and the Virginia Commonwealth Transportation Board (CTB) approves increasing the Rail Industrial Access fund.

Virginia DPRT Executive Director Jennifer DeBruhl will retire at the end of June.

DeBruhl to Retire as DRPT Executive Director

Virginia’s Department of Rail and Public Transportation (DRPT) Executive Director Jennifer DeBruhl will retire at the end of June, according to a Richmond Times-Dispatch report.

Virginia DRPT Grants Available. Apply Now!

The Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation (DRPT) is now accepting online applications for rail, transit and commuter assistance grants for the 2025 Fiscal Year. The annual grant application period runs

The Virginia CTB has approved new policies that change the way VRE is funded and reform from the governance and funding of WMATA.

Transit Briefs: TTC, NYMTA, VRE/WMATA, ATP, Brightline

The Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) proposes new investments in customer service, community safety and security initiatives. Also, New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) Construction & Development (C&D) achieves insurance costs and risk assessment savings of nearly $400 million; Virginia’s Commonwealth Transportation Board (CTB) approves new Virginia Railway Express (VRE) and Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) policies; Austin Transit Partnership (ATP) approves $190 million spending plan for fiscal year 2024; and Brightline announces Orlando transportation partners.

Virginia Railway Express has officially opened its new Lifecycle Overhaul and Upgrade (LOU) Facility in Spotsylvania County, Va. (VRE Photograph)

VRE Opens Lifecycle Overhaul and Upgrade Facility

Virginia Railway Express (VRE) can now perform expanded commuter railcar and locomotive maintenance onsite at its new Lifecycle Overhaul and Upgrade (LOU) facility in Spotsylvania County, Va.

Virginia CTB Approves $6.3B Six-Year Improvement Program

The Virginia Commonwealth Transportation Board (CTB) on June 21 approved the FY2024-2029 Six-Year Improvement Program, which allocates approximately $6.3 billion in funding to public transportation and rail programs over the next six years.

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