Digest: Pennsylvania Supreme Court ruling could lead to change of shortline operators (updated)

Court ruling could lead to change of shortline operators (updated)
A Pennsylvania Supreme Court decision could change who operates five short lines in the state. PennLive.com reports that the decision means a 2015 vote by the Susquehanna Economic Development Assocation-Council of Governments Joint Rail Authority, or SEDA-COG JRA, should have awarded a seven-year contract to operate the lines to Carload Express Inc. based in Oakmont, Pa. At issue in the case was what constitutes a majority vote by the agency; the court affirmed the 7-3 vote to award the contract was sufficient as a majority of those voting, even though it is less than a majority of the full 16-member board. The five lines in question, with a total of 200 miles of track serving 70 customers, are owned by SEDA-COG and currently operated by the North Shore Union Railroad Co., even though its contract expired in 2017; by agreement of all parties involved, that operation will continue until all litigation is resolved, and North Shore is suing a member of the SEDA-COG board for alleged unethical behavior. In an Oct. 6 statement, Carload Express CEO Mark Rosner said, “Since the start of the RFP process in 2014, Carload Express has been eager to serve the businesses and communities in Central Pennsylvania with its safe, high quality and customer focused service.  …  We look forward to partnering with the JRA for industrial and economic development throughout the JRA’s eight member counties.”

Report finds less than 10% of SEPTA employees account for half of agency’s overtime

he Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority paid more almost $59 million in overtime in the fiscal year that ended June 30, 2020, and 800 employees — less than 10% of the agency’s 9,200-person workforce accounted for half the payments, according to a report by public radio station WHYY. Nearly half of those employees earned more than 50% of their base pay in overtime; finance experts say a figure of more than 20% issues a systemic problem. The leading overtime earner, a police lieutenant, made $116,636 in overtime, pushing his total pay to $211,895 — more than the chief of the SEPTA police force and almost as much as Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney. The payments raise question about oversight, particularly at a time when SEPTA, like many agencies, is in a fiscal crisis because of COVID-19 losses, the report says.Colebrookdale Railroad resumes excursion operations
The Colebrookdale Railroad resumed excursions on Saturday, Oct. 3, and will operate fall foliage trips through early November, with Christmas specials beginning later that month.  Foliage trains will run Oct. 10-11, 17-18, 24-25, Oct. 31-Nov. 1, Nov. 7-8, with three departures on Saturdays and two on Sundays. Christmas specials begin Nov. 21. The railroad, based in Boyerstown, Pa., is operating under COVID-19 measures including capacity reduced to 50% of normal, enhanced cleaning, limited food and beverage options, and mask requirements for passengers. For more information, visit the railroad website.

— Updated Oct. 6 to include comment from Carload Express CEO on court ruling.