TRAINS: David Lassen
Monday midday rail news:
While overall crime drops, New York subway sees increase in violent crime
While overall crime has dropped significantly on New York’s subway system with the loss of ridership during the COVID-19 pandemic, violent crime is rising. The New York Times reports overall subway crime decreased by 40% between January and the end of September compared with 2019, but reported homicides, rapes, robberies, and burglaries have increased, as has vandalism. Six people have been killed in the subway so far this year, twice as many as the last three years combined. The change is not limited to New York: Chicago has seen an increase of transit robberies and Philadelphia has seen more assaults.
Ventura County seeks operator for branch currently home to Fillmore & Western
The Ventura County (Calif.) Transportation Commission has issued a request for proposals for an operator of the commission-owned former Southern Pacific Santa Paula branch for possible excursion, movie-train operations, and freight service. The 32-mile branch, running from Ventura to the unincorporated community to Piru, currently is home of the Fillmore & Western Railway, which began operations in 1996. Its 20-year lease expires June 30, 2021, and the commission is looking to sign a new 20-year lease with two five-year options and a one-time option to cancel the lease at year 10, with one year’s notice. Complete details are here
UP names new chief information officer
Union Pacific has named Rahul Jalali as chief information officer, effective Nov. 2. He will lead the railroad’s development and use of information and telecommunication technologies. Jalili spent 23 years at Walmart Inc., most recently as vice president of Walmart International. Jon Panzer, who had been interim chief information officer, will become senior vice president, strategic planning.
