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Nov
27

Sound Transit light-rail ridership soared in third quarter

Sound Transit logged 5,596,453 boardings on its Link light-rail system in the third quarter, marking a 13.5 percent increase over the same period last year.

Average weekday ridership grew 13 percent to 76,822 boardings. Year to date, Sound Transit logged 17.5 million total light-rail rides, or a 26 percent increase over the same period in 2016.

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Nov
27

CTA proposes fare hike after state funding cut

The Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) has proposed a $1.51 billion operating budget for 2018 that would increase rail and bus fares for the first time in several years.

Under the proposal, a ride on the agency's rail system would increase 25 cents to $2.50, while the price of a bus ride would increase from $2 to $2.25. Additionally, the CTA would raise the cost of a 30-day unlimited pass by $5.

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Nov
27

Washington panel issues FEIS for proposed crude-by-rail terminal

The Washington Energy Facility Site Evaluation Council last week issued the final environmental impact statement (FEIS) for the proposed Vancouver Energy crude-oil terminal project.

The council is scheduled to vote tomorrow on its recommendation regarding the project. Council members will send their recommendation to Gov. Jay Inslee, who will have 60 days to make a final decision.

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Nov
27

CTA 2018 capital program to get boost from ride-hailing fee

The Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) proposed a balanced $1.51 billion operating budget Nov. 22, with its capital program seeing a raise from a new revenue stream.

 

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Nov
27

CTA 2018 capital program to get boost from ride-hailing fee

The Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) proposed a balanced $1.51 billion operating budget Nov. 22, with its capital program seeing a raise from a new revenue stream.

 

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Nov
27

CTA 2018 capital program to get boost from ride-hailing fee

The Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) proposed a balanced $1.51 billion operating budget Nov. 22, with its capital program seeing a raise from a new revenue stream.

 

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Nov
27

Rail intermodal traffic tops carloads in Week 46

U.S. railroads moved 554,066 carloads and intermodal units in the week ending Nov. 18, a 1.2 percent increase compared with the same week last year, according to the Association of American Railroads (AAR).

Total carloads for the week declined 1.6 percent to 266,927 units, while the number of intermodal containers and trailers rose 3.9 percent to 287,139 units compared with the same week in 2016, according to an AAR press release.

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Nov
27

MBTA inks $723 million contract for automated fare collection system

Rail News Home Passenger Rail 11/27/2017 Rail News: Passenger Rail
The new system will feature wider gate aisles.Photo – MBTA

The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority's (MBTA) Fiscal and Management Control Board last week awarded a $723 million contract to a Cubic-John Laing consortium for the design, integration and implementation of an automated fare collection system.

Known as AFC 2.0, the new system will enable riders to pay fares by tapping debit and credit cards at fare gates and fare boxes. In addition, a new contactless fare card will replace the existing CharlieCard. What's more, passengers will be able to buy tickets may on mobile phone apps.

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Nov
27

CN wrapping up Oliver Bridge work

Canadian National is substantially complete with a rehabilitation project on a bridge linking its Minnesota and Wisconsin network.

Work on the Oliver Bridge over the St. Louis River between Duluth, Minn., and Oliver, Wis., will wrap up prior to the end of the year. CN says the strengthening project is part of its 2016 and 2017 capital programs.

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Nov
27

CN wrapping up Oliver Bridge work

Canadian National is substantially complete with a rehabilitation project on a bridge linking its Minnesota and Wisconsin network.

Work on the Oliver Bridge over the St. Louis River between Duluth, Minn., and Oliver, Wis., will wrap up prior to the end of the year. CN says the strengthening project is part of its 2016 and 2017 capital programs.

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Nov
27

CN wrapping up Oliver Bridge work

Canadian National is substantially complete with a rehabilitation project on a bridge linking its Minnesota and Wisconsin network.

Work on the Oliver Bridge over the St. Louis River between Duluth, Minn., and Oliver, Wis., will wrap up prior to the end of the year. CN says the strengthening project is part of its 2016 and 2017 capital programs.

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Nov
27

Planned Nashville LRT corridor gets expansion

Nashville Mayor Megan Barry unveiled plans to expand the proposed Charlotte Avenue Light Rail project by two miles in order to better connect West Nashville.

 

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Nov
27

Planned Nashville LRT corridor gets expansion

Nashville Mayor Megan Barry unveiled plans to expand the proposed Charlotte Avenue Light Rail project by two miles in order to better connect West Nashville.

 

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Nov
27

Planned Nashville LRT corridor gets expansion

Nashville Mayor Megan Barry unveiled plans to expand the proposed Charlotte Avenue Light Rail project by two miles in order to better connect West Nashville.

 

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Nov
27

Batory named rail adviser to Chao

Rail News Home Railroading People 11/27/2017 Rail News: Railroading People
In spring, Batory was nominated to serve as head of the Federal Railroad Administration.Photo – Progressive Railroading's archives

Former Conrail President and Chief Operating Officer Ron Batory has been selected as a rail adviser to U.S. Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao, Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) spokesman Marc Willis confirmed late last week.

Earlier this year, Batory was nominated to serve as FRA administrator. The Senate has yet to confirm his appointment.

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Nov
27

NTSB: U.S. rail fatalities rose in 2016

The number of people killed in U.S. rail accidents increased to 733 last year from 708 in 2015, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) announced last week.

Among the rail incidents, 487 of the deaths were due to trespassing on freight-, passenger- or commuter-rail property, according to the NTSB's annual report on U.S. transportation fatalities.

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Nov
22

U.S. Rep. Estes tours Budde Enterprises' Kansas facility

Rail News Home Rail Industry Trends 11/22/2017 Rail News: Rail Industry Trends
From left to right: Kansas and Oklahoma Railroad's Casey Harbour, U.S. Rep. Ron Estes, Kansas Department of Transportation's Davonna Moore and Budde owner Carrie Budde.Photo – REMSA

U.S. Rep. Ron Estes (R-Kansas) late last week joined representatives from the Kansas and Oklahoma Railroad for a tour of Budde Enterprises Inc.'s facility in Newtown, Kansas.

At the shop, Budde handles a variety of rail-related repair and fabrication work, including repairs on hi-rail vehicles and track equipment.

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Nov
22

UP to hike track speed in southwest Minnesota

Rail News Home Union Pacific Railroad 11/22/2017 Rail News: Union Pacific Railroad
Next week, Union Pacific Railroad will start increasing the maximum track speed limit from 30 mph to 49 mph on a line that runs parallel to 2nd Avenue in Heron Lake, Minnesota.Train speeds at the 9th Street grade crossing will increase in weekly 5 mph increments beginning Nov. 27 until reaching the 49 mph limit on Dec. 18.A tie and rail improvement project strengthened the infrastructure on the line, allowing trains to travel safely at a higher rate of speed, UP officials said in a press release.The Class I plans to spend $14 million in Minnesota this year to support the state's freight transportation needs, as well as to enhance safety and efficiency, they said.

Contact Progressive Railroading editorial staff.

More News from 11/22/2017


Nov
22

UP to hike track speed in southwest Minnesota

Rail News Home Union Pacific Railroad 11/22/2017 Rail News: Union Pacific Railroad
Next week, Union Pacific Railroad will start increasing the maximum track speed limit from 30 mph to 49 mph on a line that runs parallel to 2nd Avenue in Heron Lake, Minnesota.Train speeds at the 9th Street grade crossing will increase in weekly 5 mph increments beginning Nov. 27 until reaching the 49 mph limit on Dec. 18.A tie and rail improvement project strengthened the infrastructure on the line, allowing trains to travel safely at a higher rate of speed, UP officials said in a press release.The Class I plans to spend $14 million in Minnesota this year to support the state's freight transportation needs, as well as to enhance safety and efficiency, they said.

Contact Progressive Railroading editorial staff.

More News from 11/22/2017


Nov
22

Hackers target Sacramento transit agency

Rail News Home Internet/Digital 11/22/2017 Rail News: Internet/Digital
Although SacRT temporarily took its website offline, bus and rail service wasn't affected.Photo – Sacramento Regional Transit District

The Sacramento Regional Transit District (SacRT) recently experienced a cyberattack that erased key pieces of data from the agency's computers, The Sacramento Bee reported.

The hack last weekend erased certain components of computer programs that affect internal operations, such as the ability to use computers to dispatch employees, according to the newspaper.

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