UNIVERSITY PARK, Ill. — Amtrak’s southbound Illini derailed Sunday evening after hitting a truck at a grade crossing near the University Park Metra station, about 30 miles south of Chicago. The driver of the truck was killed, according to a University Park Fire Department official quoted by ABC News, and two people on board the […]
A Brightline train departs West Palm Beach, Fla., in January 2019. As it did in Florida to finance its expansion to Orlando, Virgin Trains USA is seeking approval to sell bonds for construction of a high speed rail line between Southern California and Las Vegas, Nev. TRAINS: David Lassen LOS ANGELES — Virgin Trains USA […]
SAN JOSE, Calif. — Two months after the Federal Railroad Administration announced it was cancelling a nearly $1 billion grant to help build California’s high-speed rail project, state officials on Thursday announced an agreement with the Federal Railroad Administration that removes a significant obstacle to building it. The FRA has signed over its environmental review […]
The Long Island Rail Road will be part of the MTA’s reorganization to reduce headcounts and deficits, as well as a new program to address train delays. Long Island EMD DM30AC No. 522 is shown at Port Jefferson, N.Y. Ralph Spielman NEW YORK — The Metropolitan Transportation Authority overwhelming approved the reorganization plan of consultant […]
The Surface Transportation Board is once again being asked to settle a dispute between Amtrak and Metra over rent at Chicago Union Station. TRAINS: David Lassen CHICAGO — Declaring the matter at an impasse, Amtrak has asked federal regulators to determine compensation and terms over Metra’s lease at Chicago Union Station. In a filing with the […]
An Amtrak Acela Express prepares to stop at Metropark, N.J., in 2017. Amtrak will begun running one nonstop Acela round trip daily between New York and Washington in September. Scott A. Hartley WASHINGTON — Amtrak will begin one nonstop round trip between Washington and New York’s Penn Station, the passenger railroad announced today. The service […]
Former Amtrak president and CEO David Gunn. Bob Johnston WASHINGTON — Former Democratic presidential candidate and Massachusetts Gov. Michael Dukakis remembers his time on the Amtrak Board of Directors as working with people well-versed in transportation and “committed to the simple but powerful notion that the entire country needs a first-class rail passenger system.” Former […]
Surrounded by his possessions, a homeless person sleeps on an MTA subway train in November 2018. An MTA task force will deal with increasing issues regarding homeless on subways and buses. Ralph Spielman NEW YORK — The Metropolitan Transportation Authority has authorized a task force to address issues regarding the homeless and panhandling on its […]
Construction work at New York’s Penn Station continues on schedule and should be done by Labor Day, according to an Amtrak official. Ralph Spielman NEW YORK — Amtrak’s work at New York’s Penn Station is on time and within budget, meaning this summer’s work should be complete by Labor Day. Scot Naparstek, Amtrak Executive Vice […]
SEATTLE — One of Sound Transit’s latest light rail projects is featuring what the transit agency says is a first-of-its kind rail line on a floating bridge. The Seattle Times reports that after more than a decade dealing with the technical challenges involved, the agency is installing tracks on the Interstate 90 bridge across Lake […]
LOS ANGELES — A rail transit line over Sepulveda Pass, connecting the San Fernando Valley and LA’s Westside, could cost almost $14 billion, significantly higher than previous estimates, the Los Angeles Times reports. The figures for the route paralleling the traffic-choked 405 Freeway were released Tuesday by the Metropolitan Transportation Authority. LA Metro is studying […]
BOSTON — A complete upgrade of the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority’s commuter rail system could cost up to $33 billion, according to a study presented at Monday’s MBTA Fiscal and Management Control Board meeting. Bisnow.com reports that the presentation outlined three options: — For an estimated $33 billion (in 2030 dollars), full electrification of the […]
