More Wednesday morning rail news:
MBTA plans one-week furloughs for executives, union members to help address budget shortfall
The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority is planning one-week furloughs for some executives and union members as part of its effort to address the budget shortfall created by the COVID-19 pandemic. The Boston Herald reports that MBTA General Manager Steve Poftak informed employees in a December letter that “non-affiliated executives, Steelworkers, Local 453 [of the Office & Professional Employees International Union], and TEA [Transportation Executives Association] members” will be furloughed for five days between February and the end of the fiscal year in June. Poftak will be among those furloughed. The MBTA says it will save $2.5 million through the furloughs, but is facing a budget deficit of $54 million to $79 million for the remainder of the fiscal year.
Three companies submit bids for North Judson, Ind., short line
Three companies have submitted bids to purchase the short line railroad owned by North Judson, Ind. WKVI Radio reports Midwest & Bluegrass Rail has offered $2,725,000 for the entire city-owned, 33-mile rail corridor, which includes track used by the Hoosier Valley Railroad Museum. Midwest & Bluegrass already operates the line as part of its acquisition of the Chesapeake & Indiana, one of four short lines it acquired in 2020 [see “Digest: Report describes ‘toxic workplace’ at DC Metro …,” Trains News Wire, Sept. 8, 2020]. The other bids, which only cover the portion of the line used for freight traffic, are for $2.3 million from agricultural co-op Co-Alliance and just over $1.6 million from Columbia Rail, which operates three short lines and rail terminal services at two sites in Washington state. The town’s redevelopment commission will consider the bids at a closed-door meeting next week.
British company developing train powered by human waste
A British firm has received a government grant to develop lightweight trains powered by human waste. The Independent reports that Ultra Light Rail Partners has received a £60,000 grant ($81,700) a development of the BioUltra, which would use biomethane — derived from sewage sludge, crop resident, and animal manure, among other sources — to develop railcars capable of carrying 120 passengers. Work on a prototype vehicle began in July.
