Wednesday midday rail news: MTA budget calls for 50% cut in commuter rail service, 40% cut for subways Massive service cuts, layoffs, and a $1 fare increase are all part of a Metropolitan Transportation Authority budget presented at an MTA board meeting on Wednesday as the agency faces its need to address the revenue loss […]
Digest: Report says New York MTA will propose budget with drastic cuts
Wednesday morning rail news: Report: MTA will present budget with dramatic service cuts, almost 10,000 layoffs A report says New York’s Metropolitan Transportation Authority will present a budget to its board of directors Wednesday (today) calling for dramatic subway and bus service cuts, as well as the layoff of almost 10,000 workers. NY1.com reports sources […]
Digest: Transit agencies, Amtrak create regional ‘mask force’
Still more Wednesday morning rail news: Transit agencies combine with Amtrak to form regional ‘Mask Force’ A group of transit agencies in New York and Philadelphia areas have joined with Amtrak to create a regional ‘Mask Force’ to encourage mask compliance on public transit. New York’s MTA, NJ Transit, the Port Authority of New York […]
FRA says NJ Transit is only railroad at risk of missing PTC deadline
WASHINGTON — NJ Transit is now considered the only railroad at risk of not meeting the Dec. 31, 2020, deadline for positive train control implementation, according to the latest assessment of PTC progress from the Federal Railroad Administration. The FRA’s third-quarter report, based on information received from railroads by Oct. 31, indicates that just 223 […]
Detroit’s Delray Tower closed
DETROIT — One of the few remaining manned towers in the United States, and one of just two remaining in Michigan, was idled Monday, as CSX Transportation’s Delray Tower in Detroit — said to be the last tower to use strong-arm levers — was switched over to control of the CSX RN Dispatcher in Jacksonville, […]
Teacher protests in Mexico crimp Kansas City Southern’s overall volume
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Kansas City Southern’s main line to the Mexican Port of Lazaro Cardenas has been blocked by teacher’s union protests for 45 straight days, putting a dent in the railway’s overall traffic and revenue. The blockage of the line to Mexico’s busiest port is responsible for a 3% decline in KCS’s fourth-quarter […]
Digest: OmniTRAX CEO Shuba takes new position with parent company
Tuesday morning rail news: OmniTRAX CEO Shuba takes new role with parent company Kevin Shuba, CEO of short line company OmniTRAX since 2013, has accepted a new role with parent company The Broe Group, and will lead development of a company-wide growth plan for the multi-billion-dollar organization. Sergio Sabatini, OmniTRAX president since joining the company […]
CN celebrates 25th anniversary of privatization, unveils heritage locomotives
MONTREAL — Canadian National has unveiled a set of heritage locomotives as it celebrates today’s 25th anniversary of the initial public offering that marks its privatization from a government-owned Crown Corporation. In its 25 years as a private corporation, CN has acquired the Illinois Central; Wisconsin Central; Elgin, Joliet & Eastern; and BC Rail. Those […]
Digest: South Shore ends ‘mask optional’ cars
Monday afternoon rail news: With new state rules in effect, South Shore ends ‘mask optional’ cars South Shore Line commuter trains have done away with their “mask optional” car after Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb issued an executive order on Friday on mask rules to try to help slow the state’s surge in COVID-19 cases. The […]
Digest: Pennsylvania plan calls for second daily Pittsburgh-New York train
More Monday morning rail news: Pennsylvania rail plan calls for second Pittsburgh-New York train The draft version of a new Pennsylvania state rail plan includes a goal of adding a second daily train between Pittsburgh and New York City, beginning in the 2023-24 fiscal year. The Pittsburgh Tribune-Review reports the feasibility of the plan and […]
Digest: Jupiter, Fla., seeks fencing along Brightline route
Still more Monday morning rail news: Jupiter, Fla., requests fencing along Brightline route Jupiter, Fla., is asking Brightline to erect fencing along its right-of-way in anticipation of the start of Miami-Orlando service, which is projected to begin in 2023. The Palm Beach Post reports the city and passenger operator have looked at fencing the Pine […]
Digest: Date, site set for trial seeking damages from Durango & Silverton for fire
Monday morning tourist railroad and preservation news: Trial seeking fire damages from Durango & Silverton to be held in Denver The trial in which the U.S. government will seek to recover $25 million from the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad for the cost of fighting a 2018 wildfire will take place in Denver, a […]