California High-Speed Rail Authority, unions sign agreement

California High Speed Rail Authority logo

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — The California High-Speed Rail Authority and 13 unions have announced an agreement to use union labor to operate the state’s high speed rail system. The Memorandum of Understanding announced today (Friday, Nov. 17) will cover an estimated 3,000 workers to operate the full system between the Bay Area and Southern California; about […]

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CTA Yellow Line service still suspended after collision

People in safety gear at site of crash between rapid-transit train and maintenance equipment

CHICAGO — Service on the Chicago Transit Authority’s Yellow Line remains suspended today (Friday, Nov. 17) after the Thursday collision between a two-car Yellow Line train and a piece of maintenance equipment that injured 38 people, 23 of whom were sent to hospitals for treatment. The train reportedly rear-ended a snow plow, according to a […]

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Pacific Surfliners to require reservations for Thanksgiving period, set plans for December closure of LA Union Station

Passenger train rounds curve with tower and commuter train in background

ORANGE, Calif. — Amtrak’s Pacific Surfliner is instituting its annual requirement for advance reservations during the Thanksgiving holiday period — and has announced operating plans for the four-day period in late December when trains will be unable to stop at Los Angeles Union Station because of track and signal work. Reservations will be required Wednesday, […]

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MBTA state-of-good-repair needs grow to $24.5 billion

Work crew on rail line at night

BOSTON — The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority needs a massive infusion of $24.5 billion to address state-of-good repair needs, more than twice the figure from its last estimate of such maintenance needs in 2019, the agency said in a report issued today. The figure — up from $10 billion in the 2019 assessment — includes […]

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First of many battery trains enter service in Germany

Blue multiple-unit passenger train at simple shelter station and platform

KIEL, Germany —  The first of what will be multiple fleets of new battery-electric multiple-unit, or BEMU, trainsets have entered passenger service in northern Germany. The Stadler-built, two-car FLIRT trains debuted two weeks ago. They are designed to replace diesel multiple units and operate as regular electric trains when running on electrified lines. Each of […]

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Two injured as Portland streetcar, light rail train collide

Orange streetcar and white light rail train in intersection after collision

PORTLAND, Ore. — A TriMet MAX light rail train and Portland streetcar collided in an intersection east of downtown Portland on Wednesday, briefly pinning the streetcar operator and sending that operator and one passenger to the hospital with minor injuries. The collision occurred about 10:20 a.m. at the intersection of Northeast 7th Avenue and Holladay […]

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