A Brightline train speeds through a multi-lane Fort Lauderdale highway crossing in 2018. Commissioners in Indian River County, Fla., are dropping their appeal of one suit regarding the passenger train operator’s use of private activity bonds, but are still pursuing a fight over grade crossings. Bob Johnston VERO BEACH, FLA — Indian River County commissioners […]
Type of Train: Passenger/Transit
Single donor funding opposition to SMART ballot initiative NEWSWIRE
SANTA ROSA, Calif. — A single donor has contributed more than $500,000 to an effort to block a sales-tax extension to fund Sonoma-Marin Area Rail Transit service, and has indicated willingness to double that amount, the Santa Rosa Press-Democrat reports. Molly Gallaher Flater, daughter of Sonoma County developer Bill Gallaher, is funding the effort to […]
Four new members of NJ Transit board confirmed NEWSWIRE
TRENTON — The New Jersey Senate voted unanimously on Monday to confirm four new board members of the NJ Transit board. Even with the confirmations, the board still has five seats to fill. NorthJersey.com reports that the new board members, nominated by Gov. Phil Murphy in March, are: — Retired Democratic state senator Bob Gordon, […]
LA Metro clears development teams for possible involvement in Sepulveda project NEWSWIRE
LA Metro has cleared five teams for potential involvement in its Sepulveda Corridor project. Shown are possible routes for the project, which could be a monorail or heavy rail system. LA Metro LOS ANGELES — The Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority announced it has cleared five corporate teams to help develop its Sepulveda Transit […]
Austin commuter rail line resumes Saturday service NEWSWIRE
Austin Capital Metro has resumed Saturday commuter rail service. The Saturday service had been stopped to allow for construction and positive train control installation. TRAINS: David Lassen AUSTIN, Texas — Austin’s Capital Metro has resumed Saturday service on its 31-mile commuter rail line between downtown and Leander, Texas, six months after suspending the service. KVUE-TV […]
California budget earmarks $4.2 billion for high speed rail NEWSWIRE
SACRAMENTO, Calif. — California Gov. Gavin Newsom’s proposed 2020-2021 budget would provide $4.2 billion for the state’s High Speed Rail Authority over five years. “The High Speed Rail Authority is continuing to construct the Central Valley segment completing electrified High Speed Rail from Merced to Bakersfield with Proposition 1A bonds, federal funds, and 25 percent of […]
California high speed agency holds track and systems forum NEWSWIRE
Southbound Amtrak San Joaquin train 710, operating former New Jersey Transit Comet equipment on BNSF tracks, passes under the American Avenue overpass south of Fresno, where California High Speed Rail construction segment CP-2 begins. The high speed rail right-of-way west of those tracks has been cleared in the foreground. Bob Johnston Behind the trees on […]
Metrolink to end Amtrak contract for crews NEWSWIRE
An inbound Metrolink Ventura County Line train approaches the Corbin Avenue grade crossing in Northridge, Calif., on Jan. 10, 2020. Metrolink will end its operating contract with Amtrak, according to an Amtrak memo. TRAINS: David Lassen LOS ANGELES — Commuter railroad Metrolink will not renew its operating contract with Amtrak, Amtrak executive Stephen Gardner has […]
Transit agencies outline capital plans at NRC conference NEWSWIRE
Amtrak Pacific Surfliner No. 785 heads north through Del Mar, Calif., just before sunset on Jan. 4, 2020. The San Diego Association of Governments is putting together a project to stabilize the slide-prone bluffs in Del Mar, but eventually wants to relocate the rail line inland. TRAINS: David Lassen CORONADO, Calif. — Transit agencies from San […]
Tri-Rail sets ridership record in 2019 NEWSWIRE
A Tri-Rail train parallels Interstate 95 as it heads south from West Palm Beach toward Miami. The commuter railroad set a ridership record in 2019. TRAINS: David Lassen MIAMI — The Miami-area Tri-Rail commuter service set a ridership record in 2019, carrying 4,495,039 passenger, the South Florida Regional Transportation Authority announced last week. The figure […]
NYC Subway withdraws new Bombardier cars for faulty doors NEWSWIRE
R179 subway cars at the East New York Yard on Thursday, Jan. 9, 2020, where technicians from Bombardier make adjustments to door solenoids. Marc A. Hermann / MTA New York City Transit NEW YORK — Three companies and New York City subway officials are inspecting and making to repairs to as many as 300 New […]
‘Silver Star’ to get Viewliner for flexible dining in May; companion fare sale offered NEWSWIRE
Creole shrimp and Andouille “flexible” entrée with demitasse salad awaits heating on the ‘Cardinal’ on Oct 1, 2019. Bob Johnston WASHINGTON – After dropping full dining car service on its New York-Miami Silver Star in early 2016, Amtrak will add “flexible” dining meals for sleeping car passengers with Viewliner II diners on May 1. The […]