More Thursday morning rail news:
— Union members have called off today’s planned “job action” against the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority, citing the involvement of Philadelphia mayor Jim Kenney. Willie Brown, president of Transport Workers Union Local 234 said he remained unsatisified with SEPTA’s measures to protect employees from the COVID-19 virus, but “when the mayor comes in … you can’t just say no,” the Philadelphia Inquirer reports. City representative Kelly Cofrancisco welcomed the news, saying “health-care workers and other essential staff are relying on SEPTA more than ever.” Brown, who had said workers would not strike but suggested riders find alternative ways to work, said in a statement that the union would postpone its action, but “if there is no improvement we will very shortly be taking a job action.
— Dallas Area Rapid Transit is preparing to begin construction on a new light rail station, the 65th in its network. The Hidden Ridge Station in Irving will be located between the existing North Lake College and Irving Convention Center stations, with construction to begin later this month or early in May, the Dallas Morning News reports. Construction will be completed in early 2021.
