Digest: Canada increases fines for rail trespassing, interfering with operations

Canadian government stiffens fines for rail trespassing, interfering with operations

The Canadian government is increasing fines for trespassing onto railroad property and interfering with railway operations. Minister of Transport Omar Alghabra announced Wednesday that fines for trespassing will increase from $100 to $500, while the fine for not giving way at railway crossings will increase from $150 to $750. The increased fines are effective immediately. “By introducing new measures, such as increases in fines, we are helping to reduce the number of accidents and incidents on Canada’s rail lines and over 20,000 federally regulated crossings,” Alghabra said in a press release. The increases come after 39 people were killed in rail trespassing incidents in 2020, according to figures from the Transportation Safety Board of Canada. They also come a year after rail operations across Canada were disrupted by a series of blockades by protesters demonstrating against non-rail-related issues.

Norfolk Southern intermodal train derails in South Carolina

Thirteen cars of a Norfolk Southern intermodal train en route from Charlotte, N.C., to Memphis derailed in Liberty, S.C., on Wednesday. WSPA-TV reports no injuries were reported and no hazardous materials were involved in the derailment, which occurred about 1:30 p.m. The cause is under investigation. Liberty is approximately 19 miles west of Greenville, S.C., and about 20 miles north of Anderson, S.C. The accident site is on the route of Amtrak’s Crescent, forcing passengers on Wednesday’s north and southbound departures to use buses between Atlanta and Charlotte.

Minnesota House passes bill with funding for second Amtrak train, continued commuter service

The Minnesota House of Representatives has passed a $7.3 billion transportation bill including $10 million to help fund improvements allowing a second daily Chicago-Twin Cities Amtrak train, as well as preserving funding for Northstar commuter rail service. Among other provisions, it also includes $57.5 million for new bus rapid transit projects, and requires a study on post-COVID public transit specifically calling for a review of the Northstar service. The Associated Press reports the bill passed 112-21, and now goes to the state Senate, which could pass it and send it to Gov. Tim Walz as soon as Thursday. Full text is here for the bill, one of five budget bills that must be passed and signed by June 30 to avoid a shutdown of the state government.