Digest: Senate Republicans release $568 billion infrastructure proposal

Republican infrastructure proposal includes $61 billion for transit, $20 billion for rail

Senate Republicans have released a $568 billion infrastructure plan to counter the $2.3 trillion plan proposed by President Joe Biden. The website The Hill reports the Republican plan defines infrastructure more narrowly, emphasizing roads, railroads, public transit, airports, wastewater system and broadband infrastructure. More than half the funds, $299 billion, would go to roads and bridges, with $61 billion for public transit and $20 billion for rail projects. A portion of the rail money would go to Amtrak. The plan introduced by Biden in March includes $85 billion for public transportation and $80 billion for passenger and freight rail [see “Rail groups’ reaction to Biden infrastructure plan …,” Trains News Wire, March 31, 2021].

First SMART general manager to retire after 10 years in charge

The general manager of Sonoma-Marin Area Rail Transit will retire in August after 10 years overseeing the agency. The Santa Rosa Press Democrat reports Farhad Mansourian announced his retirement at Wednesday’s SMART board meeting, saying he wants to focus on being a grandfather and husband. Mansourian became general manager when the agency was a concept approved by voters and oversaw the launch of service in August 2019. The system carried more than 700,000 passengers in each of its first two years of service before suffering setbacks because of the COVID-19 pandemic and at the ballot box; in March 2020, voters turned down a bid to extend the quarter-cent sales tax that funds the operation.

NJ Transit to have full roster of locomotive engineers

NJ Transit is on the verge of reaching a full roster of locomotive engineers, addressing a shortage that led to frequent train cancellations for several years. Gov. Phil Murphy, NJ Transit CEO Kevin Corbett and other officials hailed that development Thursday as the ninth class of engineers since 2018 prepared to begin its final check rides, meaning the agency will have added 103 engineers in three years, with another class set to graduate in June. “We are finally at a full roster of engineers, who will serve New Jersey commuters and provide them with the reliable service that they deserve,” Murphy said in a press release. “This is a moment that we have been working toward for years, and one that I am immensely proud of.”