More Thursday morning rail news:
NS will furlough mechanical department employees, offers no details on number or locations
Norfolk Southern will be furloughing mechanical department employees at multiple locations across its system, WSLS-TV reports. In a statement, the railroad did not indicate the locations or number of employees to be affected, but said the move is “needed to align our operations with the current economy. … We are working to provide an extended notice period for impacted employees.” Furloughed employees may be able to apply for positions elsewhere on the NS System.
Utah Transit Authority budget will maintain current services
The Utah Transit Authority will maintain rail and bus service at 91% of pre-pandemic levels — the current level of service — through 2021 under a budget approved Wednesday. The Salt Lake Tribune reports the agency still has $101 million in federal CARES Act aid awarded earlier this year, which will help cover the revenue loss from reduced ridership. Ridership is currently about 59% of pre-pandemic levels.
MTA to add elevators at eight stations in accessibility project
New York’s Metropolitan Transportation Authority has announced 17 new elevators will be built at eight stations, with at least one in all five boroughs, as part of an accessibility project funded by a federal grant. The winning proposal, which includes a 15-year maintenance agreement, came in below the MTA’s budget estimate. A list of the stations involved is available here.
