WATSONVILLE, Calif. — The Santa Cruz County Regional Transportation Commission has approved pursuing intercity rail service between Santa Cruz and Pajaro, Calif., rather than a light-rail alternative, while asking its staff to find an alternative to bridge repairs or replacement on that route that could cost almost $1 billion. The news site Santa Cruz Local […]
NEWARK, N.J. — Beginning Monday, March 24, NJ Transit is cutting ticket costs in half for travel from five stations shared by its Morristown and Montclair-Boonton lines to provide an alternative for commuters during the emergency closure of Interstate 80 in Wharton, N.J. The highway has been closed in both directions because of sinkholes likely […]
KENT, Texas — Approximately 33 cars of a Union Pacific manifest freight train derailed Friday in near the Culberson County community of Kent, KWES-TV reports. The derailment occurred about 5 a.m., a UP representative told the station. No one was injured and no hazardous materials were involved. The incident occurred near Interstate 10 about […]
LAS VEGAS, Nev. — Brightline West is in the middle of finalizing $6 billion of bank loans and contracts with construction companies for its $12 billion, 218-mile Las Vegas-Southern California high speed rail venture after selling more than $2.5 billion in private activity bonds, according to Tracy Larkin-Thomason, Director of Nevada’s Department of Transportation. The […]
BOSTON — The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority has received federal approval to begin South Coast Rail service, clearing the way for the launch of the expanded commuter rail operation on Monday, March 24. The Fall River Herald News reports the MBTA was informed the Federal Railroad Administration had granted approval on Friday, March 21, according […]
PITTSBURGH — Pittsburgh Regional Transit has announced plans for a 35% cut in service and a 25-cent fare increase to take effect in February 2026 to address a projected $100 million budget deficit. According to the plans released March 20, light rail cuts would include the elimination of the Silver Line, ending service to 12 […]
SAN JOSE, Calif. — Members of Amalgamated Transit Union Local 265 will vote Saturday on a new contract proposal from the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority, the VTA said today (Friday, March 21, 2025). However, the union’s negotiating team is urging members to reject the offer. The proposal would increase raises over the three-year life […]
FORT WORTH, Texas — Persistent, strong winds have caused congestion on BNSF Railway’s Southern Transcon, the railroad said in a customer service advisory on Thursday, March 20. “The BNSF network is currently experiencing challenges, particularly on the Southern Transcon, due to excessive and extended winds exceeding 75 mph that have impacted service consistency, alongside unexpected […]
OMAHA, Neb. — Union Pacific has named Christina Conlin as senior vice president, chief legal officer and corporate secretary, succeeding Craig Richardson, who is set to retire at the end of March. Conlin will oversee all aspects of the company’s legal affairs, including commercial transactions and litigation, labor and employment and regulatory matters. She will […]
MONTREAL — Alto, the Canadian high speed rail project, has signed a contract with the Cadence consortium for development of the Toronto-Quebec City route, the companies have announced. The agreement announced today (Friday, March 21) marks the beginning of design and development for the 300-kilometer-per-hour (186-mph) train system project. The Canadian government committed some Ca$3.9 […]
CHICAGO — Expanding on a warning issued by Metra’s CEO earlier this month, the Chicago-area Regional Transportation Authority has released a dire picture of potential cuts to area transit if a potential $770 million funding shortfall is not addressed before the current state legislative session ends in May. Metra CEO/Executive Director Jim Derwinski said Metra […]
DENVER — Increased frequency and capacity and lower prices have led to a significant boost in ridership for Amtrak’s Winter Park Express ski train. Colorado Public Radio reports that one-way tickets were priced as low as $19, thanks to use of a state fee on rental car funds designated for rail projects. Trains were also […]
