Friday morning rail news:
Alstom/C. Fleury via REM Facebook page
Montreal’s REM begins testing of Alstom light rail trainsets
The first trainsets for Montreal’s Réseau express métropolitain light rail system have begun testing, REM reports on its Facebook page. The agency says tests will continue over the next few months between its Brossard station and Milan Boulevard. Alstom is building 106 two-car trainsets for the 26-station, 41.6-mile system, projected to begin operation in 2022. Visit the REM website for more information.
STB extends comment period on Uinta Basin environmental report until Feb. 12
The Surface Transportation Board has extended the comment period on the Draft Environmental Impact Statement for Utah’s proposed Uinta Basin Railway for a second time, this time to Feb. 12, 2021. In announcing the extension, the STB’s Office of Environmental Analysis said it is extending the comment period in response to a request from Eagle County ,Colo., stemming from concerns that reactivation of Colorado’s Tennessee Pass could lead to transport of oil traffic from the Unita Basin project over Tennessee Pass. The Colorado, Midland & Pacific, which plans to lease and operate the Tennessee Pass line, has said it has no plans to transport oil via the route. The Office of Environmental Analysis does not plan to hold any additional public meetings during the extended comment period.
LA Metro board votes to transfer funds to restore service
The Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority’s board of directors has voted to use $24 million in capital and other operational funds to restore transit service that was cut at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. City News Service reports the motion approved by the board requires the services to be restored by the end of the fiscal year, with priority to “high ridership lines and an emphasis on disadvantaged communities.” It directs LA Metro to begin hiring, maintenance, and procurement activities immediately to prepare for the restoration of service.
