Thursday morning rail news:
New website, study support second Transbay crossing for BART, Amtrak
Bay Area Rapid Transit and the Capitol Corridor Joint Powers Authority have launched a new website outlining the proposal for a new Transbay rail crossing between Oakland, Calif., and San Francisco, at the same time a new report has been released on the economic benefits of the Transbay project. The website offers information on Link21, a series of projects including the transbay crossing. Among its features would be a direct rail link for Capitol Corridor Amtrak trains to San Francisco. “Link21 will help shape Northern California’s rail system for future generations,” said Rob Padgette, managing director of the Capitol Corridor. “Our most popular travel itinerary is between Sacramento and San Francisco, but that trip currently requires a transfer to either BART at the Richmond station or to one of our connecting buses at the Emeryville station. By providing a direct rail connection … this program will dramatically improve how our riders get to and from the San Francisco Bay Area.” The report on the project benefits is available here.
DC Metro now offers wireless service from top three carriers in all rail tunnels
DC Metro has completed a project to offer wireless service from the top three U.S. providers — AT&T, T-Mobile, and Verizon — in all rail tunnels, activating the final three segments in its 100 miles of rail tunnels. The Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority already offered free wi-fi at all 91 stations and service from the three carriers at all underground stations. “Bringing this project to the finish line gives riders added security and all the conveniences of wireless connectivity,” Metro General Manager/CEO Paul J. Wiedefeld said in a press release. “… We appreciate the work of the carrier team, the leadership of our Congressional delegation, and the support of state and local partners throughout this project.”
Court rules insurance companies must pay NJ Transit up to $400 millon for Sandy damage
NJ Transit can collect up to $400 million from its insurance companies for water damage caused by Superstorm Sandy, the New Jersey Supreme Court has ruled. Reuters Legal reports that the insurers had argued that a $100 million limit on “losses caused by flood” also applied to the provisions for “named windstorm” damage. NJ Transit filed suit in 2014 after the insurers said that limit applied, and at the time said it had sustained $625 million in damage and expected $342 million in federal aid.
