News & Reviews News Wire News Wire Digest Second Section for Wednesday, March 18 NEWSWIRE

News Wire Digest Second Section for Wednesday, March 18 NEWSWIRE

By Angela Cotey | March 18, 2020

| Last updated on November 3, 2020


New York MTA seeks bailout; Durango & Silverton suspends operations; and more

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MetroNorth_Harlem_Lassen
Metro-North trains meet near the 125th Street station in Harlem. Metro-North’s parent, the Metropolitan Transportation Authority, is seeking $4 billion in aid because of reduced ridership.
TRAINS: David Lassen
More coronavirus-related rail news for Wednesday morning:

— New York’s Metropolitan Transportation Authority is asking for $4 billion in federal aid in the wake of a dramatic fall in ridership during the coronavirus crisis. The New York Times reports that, in a letter to New York’s congressional delegation, MTA Chairman Patrick J. Foye said the agency is “facing financial calamity” because of the decreased revenue. New York subway ridership was down 60 percent on Monday over the same date a year earlier, while Tuesday morning commuter counts were down 90 percent on Metro-North Railroad and 67 percent on the Long Island Rail Road.

— The Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad has suspended operations as of Tuesday through at least April 1. As of now, the railroad’s museum remains open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and yard tours will continue. Those holding reservations will be notified and receive a full refund, or can rebook for later in the season.

— The Alaska Railroad is suspending operation of its Aurora Winter Train as of Thursday through April 30, the railroad announced Tuesday. The move will affect nine scheduled round trips for the trains. The railroad will operate its Hurricane Turn train on April 2 to provide passenger service to the roadless area between Talkeetna and Hurricane, KTUU-TV reports.

— Virginia’s Commonwealth Transportation Board has allocated an additional $11 million to help public transportation agencies in the state offset decreased ridership and other expenses related to the COVID-19 outbreak. Virginia Business reports that 40 agencies will receive funds, with four — Hampton Roads Transit, Fairfax County, the Greater Richmond Transit Co., and the Northern Virginia Transportation Commission — receiving more than $1 million.

 

3 thoughts on “News Wire Digest Second Section for Wednesday, March 18 NEWSWIRE

  1. Screw the billions of federal aid the MTA is asking for.Let them go get the money they need from Albany whose state they are in.

  2. Comes down to what DeBlasio wants and what he has authority to do.

    DeBlasio can’t call on the National Guard. Cuomo can.

    We had a similar issue with Katrina and New Orleans. Mayor of NOLA was screaming at FEMA and Bush Administration for help. FEMA was waiting on the LA governor to sign off on the help because its required by law that the state authority has to allow it.

    FEMA couldn’t get the governor to sign, so Bush personally tried to call her. She was in the bathroom crying and was not taking phone calls per her husband. (She finally signed, Bush took the heat)

    DeBlasio can jump and scream all he wants, but its the Gov who has to approve Federal action in ones state.

  3. Interesting to watch the tug-o-war between DeBlasio and Cuomo over who controls NYC. The public be d-d.

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