Wednesday morning rail news:
FTA awards funds to 37 transit programs for COVID-19 measures
A test program for enhanced air filtration on DC Metro subway cars, voice-activated ticket vending machines on CT Rail’s Shoreline East commuter rail service, and a program to track COVID-19 exposure through heat mapping on NJ Transit light rail vehicles are among 37 programs receiving a total of $15.8 million in grants to help transit agencies address the COVID-19 pandemic. The Public Transportation COVID-19 Research Demonstration Program awards, announced Tuesday by the Federal Transit Administration, are to help pay for and promote solutions the pandemic has created for transit. A press release says the programs were selected from 104 proposals requesting approximately $63 million in funding. The projects selected are from 35 states and one territory; a complete list is available here.
MARTA announces three appointments to management positions
The Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority has shuffled some of its top management positions, following last week’s announcement of Collie Greenwood as deputy general manager for operations with Monday appointments of Raj Srinath as chief financial officer and Patricia Lucek for the newly created position of manager of labor and employee relations. The Atlanta Journal Constitution reports Srinath, who begins work Jan. 25, comes from the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority in the San Jose, Calif., area. Lucek was director of labor relations for Areas USA, a travel and tourism food, beverage, and retail provider. Greenwood, who had been director of bus operations, will oversee all bus and rail operations, as well as major capital projects.
Pennsylvania’s Stewartstown Railroad to convert transfer caboose for accessibility
The Stewartstown Railroad, a Pennsylvania heritage rail operation, has acquired a transfer caboose to be converted into a handicap-accessible car for passengers. The York Daily Record reports the former Missouri-Kansas-Texas caboose, converted from a box car, offers large open platforms and bench seating at either end, and will easily be modified for wheelchair accessibility with either a ramp or lift. It is expected to be in service for the upcoming season.
