More Monday afternoon rail news:
News report says transit to receive $30 billion under House COVID relief plan
Transit agencies will receive $30 billion and Amtrak $1.5 billion under the $1.9 trillion COVID-19 relief proposal expected to be released Monday by House Democrats, Reuters reports. The news service, citing sources briefed on the matter and documents it had seen, says the bill will include more than $50 billion for the transportation industry, including $14 billion for airlines and $8 billion for U.S. airports. The original proposal from President Joe Biden included $20 billion for transit, but some legislators pushed for more. The American Public Transportation Association says its members are facing a $39.3 billion shortfall between now and 2023 because of reduced ridership. The Washington Post reports that, although House committees are expected to take up the legislation this week, one key detail — the threshold for $1,400 individual stimulus payments — is still being debated by Democratic legislators.
Driver evacuates passengers from stalled bus before it is hit by train
A bus driver in Grand Rapids, Mich., was able to evacuate passengers without injury Monday when his city bus stalled at an icy grade crossing and was hit by a CSX Transportation train. WOOD-TV reports the accident occurred about 12:15 p.m.; the driver was able to get the four passengers off the bus and away from the crossing; the train was able to slow but hit the bus at about 4 mph. The train did not derail and the train crew was uninjured.
Michigan Tech Rail Transportation Program awards three scholarships
Michigan Tech’s Rail Transportation Program and the Rail Transportation Advisory Board has announced the recipients of their scholarships for the 2020-21 school year. Receiving the Canadian National Railway Scholarships — funded through an endowment by the railroad — are Justin Micillo and Stanton Schmitz, both studying civil and environmental engineering. Receiving the RTP Alumni/Friends scholarship, awarded for the first time, is BoFa Saldana, electrical and comuter engineering. All three awards are for $1,500.
