Bill requiring disclosure of Amtrak bonuses passes House

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WASHINGTON — A bill that would require Amtrak to disclose information on base pay and bonuses for some of its executives has passed the House of Representatives. H.R. 192, sponsored by U.S. Rep. David Rouzer (R-N.C.), would require the bonus information to be available on Amtrak’s website, along with the criteria used to determine bonuses, […]

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New Mexico Rail Runner receives grant for new shop facilities

NMRAilrunnerMarch2018Wrinn

WASHINGTON — The agency overseeing the New Mexico Rail Runner commuter operation has received a $22.4 million grant for a new maintenance facility. The grant, from the Department of Transportation’s Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity (RAISE) program, is among nine announced Monday (Jan. 13, 2025) by members of New Mexico’s congressional delegation. Also […]

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Brightline to bring back South Florida commuter program

People mill about on platform next to streamlined passenger trains

MIAMI — Brightline will revive the commuter pass program it discontinued last year, thanks to a federal grant it received last week, the company has announced. The company received a $33.8 million Restoration and Enhancement grant from the Federal Railroad Administration, which the federal announcement said would support expanding Brightline train consists from five to […]

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Storm cancellations, maintenance failures continue to plague Amtrak: Analysis (updated)

Passenger train passing through snow-covered yard with Chicago skyline in distance

CHICAGO — Amtrak’s “new normal” for handling anticipated severe weather — cancelling trains rather than operating them into a region where a storm is predicted — has proven to be a significant change from decades past when passenger rail earned an “all-weather” reputation. Fewer railroad resources in far-flung locations and Amtrak’s stretched-thin equipment situation are […]

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Government of Belize seeks expansion of Maya Train

Map showing portion of Maya Train route near borders with Belize and Guatamala

RIVIERA MAYA, Mexico — The government of Belize has asked that the Maya Train be extended into its country, according to Belize’s prime minister. The Riviera Maya News reports that Prime Minister Johnny Briceño said his county has made a formal request to Mexico’s president, Claudia Sheinbaum, saying the move would strengthen regional ties and […]

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House legislation seeks Amtrak food improvements

Amtrak dining car with one person dining at one table

WASHINGTON — U.S. Rep. Steve Cohen (D-Tenn.) has introduced legislation aimed at improving dining on Amtrak trains. H.R. 265, the Train Furtherance of Outstanding Onboard Dining act (Train FOOD Act) would require the company to report annual on progress toward implementing recommendations from the Food and Beverage Working Group created under the Infrastructure Investment and […]

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Grand Trunk Western passenger trains remembered

a streamliner pulling passenger cars with chicago in the background

All through January 2025, the Grand Trunk Western is Classic Trains‘ Railroad of the Month! In this photo gallery, please enjoy images of Grand Trunk Western passenger trains selected from the archives of the David P. Morgan Library at Firecrown Media! This photo gallery had previously been published in May 2020. Only from Trains.com! […]

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FTA finalizes grant for Chicago’s Red Line Extension

Map illustrating new transit route.

WASHINGTON — The Federal Transit Administration has signed a grant agreement for $1.97 billion in funding for the 5.5-mile extension of the Chicago Transit Authority’s Red Line, the first line of the L system to reach the Far South Side. The extension is the largest single transit project in CTA history. The grant fulfills a […]

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