More Thursday morning rail news in brief:
The Association of American Railroads is voicing its disapproval of the transportation bill unveiled Wednesday by Democratic members of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. AAR CEO Ian Jefferies says in a statement that “America’s railroads are extremely disappointed in the House surface transportation reauthorization released today. When all of us should be working together toward common-sense solutions, this partisan legislation falls far short of what this moment demands.” The INVEST in America Act includes $60 billion for rail projects and $105 billion for transit, but would also require two-man crews for freight trains and block shipment of liquefied natural gas by rail, among other provisions [see “House committee releases new five-year transportation legislation,” Trains News Wire, June 3, 2020.]. “Smart policies have helped railroads continue to deliver for their customers during this pandemic,” Jefferies continues. “Now is not the time to retreat from these, much less impose wish-list policy riders or unnecessary operational requirements, such as mandating crew size, barring the streamlining of operations, and constraining the already limited capacity of the rail network.
VRE preparing for social distancing
Virginia Railway Express is taking steps to prepare its commuter rail service for Phase 1 of the Washington, D.C., area reopening plan following the COVID-19 lockdown. Decals on seats will direct passengers to window seats in every other row, while decals applied in stations will indicate spacing for social distancing. The system already requires face coverings under an order by Gov. Ralph Northam. It is also adding hand sanitizer dispensers on trains and in stations and continuing its enhanced cleaning and disinfecting procedures.
Work continues on creation of Montana agency to pursue Amtrak service
Efforts to revive Amtrak service on the former North Coast Hiawatha route across Montana’s southern tier are continuing, with Missoula County Commissioners this week hiring a law firm to review a resolution to create the Big Sky Passenger Rail Authority. The Missoula Current notes that under state law, at least two counties are needed to establish the authority, and commissioner Dave Strohmaier, who is leading the Missoula County effort, says he has met with officials in two other counties who have expressed interest. Strohmaier has also talked with Amtrak officials and is pursuing the possible creation of a multi-state agency to support the new service, modeled after the Southern Rail Commission, which is working to restore Amtrak service along the Gulf Coast of Louisiana, Alabama, and Mississippi.
