Railroad News

New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio outlined a proposed tax plan he says could raise as much as $800 million for the city's transit system by raising taxes on the wealthiest residents.

The mayor says the tax adjustment would be levied on fewer than one percent of the city's wealthiest tax filers and would allow the city to reduce transit fares by 50 percent for the low-income residents.

New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio outlined a proposed tax plan he says could raise as much as $800 million for the city's transit system by raising taxes on the wealthiest residents.

The mayor says the tax adjustment would be levied on fewer than one percent of the city's wealthiest tax filers and would allow the city to reduce transit fares by 50 percent for the low-income residents.

Amtrak will continue to provide maintenance-of-way and dispatching services to the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) Attleboro Line through 2021.

The agreement, which governs the operation and maintenance of use of the 37.9-mile line, ends a dispute over applicability of the federal Passenger Rail Investment and Improvement Act (PRIIA) of 2008, Section 212, which created the Northeast Corridor Commission and mandated the development of the Commuter and Intercity Rail Cost Allocation Policy. The policy was jointly developed by all the owners and operators of rail services from Boston to Washington, D.C., and is meant to provide a consistent methodology for calculating and assessing costs for all users of the Northeast Corridor.

Amtrak will continue to provide maintenance-of-way and dispatching services to the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) Attleboro Line through 2021.

The agreement, which governs the operation and maintenance of use of the 37.9-mile line, ends a dispute over applicability of the federal Passenger Rail Investment and Improvement Act (PRIIA) of 2008, Section 212, which created the Northeast Corridor Commission and mandated the development of the Commuter and Intercity Rail Cost Allocation Policy. The policy was jointly developed by all the owners and operators of rail services from Boston to Washington, D.C., and is meant to provide a consistent methodology for calculating and assessing costs for all users of the Northeast Corridor.

KC Streetcar has plans to expand. With increased ridership and the need to provide additional service and track, the KC Streetcar Authority (KCSA) says that it is working on a Streetcar Southern Extension Project.

In coordination with the Kansas City Area Transportation Authority (KCATA) and the city of Kansas City, Mo. (KCMO), KCSA issued a notice to being planning work for the Southern Extension Project. A team led by HDR Engineering will provide the planning and engineering services with support from Burns & McDonnell, HNTB, Trekk Design Group, Hg Consult, Parson + Associates, VSM Engineering and Architectural & Historical Research.

KC Streetcar has plans to expand. With increased ridership and the need to provide additional service and track, the KC Streetcar Authority (KCSA) says that it is working on a Streetcar Southern Extension Project.

In coordination with the Kansas City Area Transportation Authority (KCATA) and the city of Kansas City, Mo. (KCMO), KCSA issued a notice to being planning work for the Southern Extension Project. A team led by HDR Engineering will provide the planning and engineering services with support from Burns & McDonnell, HNTB, Trekk Design Group, Hg Consult, Parson + Associates, VSM Engineering and Architectural & Historical Research.

Annka Robinson, 33

Job description: Robinson is responsible for ensuring safety related to maintenance-of-way activities on the Trinity Railway Express.

Education: Southern Illinois University-Carbondale, bachelor's degree in civil engineering

GE Transportation has unveiled the first of 1,000 Evolution Series locomotives for Indian Railways. The ES43ACmi unit underwent nearly two months of testing and validation before receiving a coat of red and yellow paint, GE officials said in a press release. With the new paint job completed, the company is preparing to ship the locomotive in a few weeks. Expected to arrive in India later this year, the unit is part of a $2.5 billion locomotive order from Indian Railways.

Rail Partners Management Group LLC has acquired the assets and operations of Tactical Cleaning Co. from Strategic Environmental & Energy Resources. Tactical Cleaning provides fixed-base and mobile rail-car cleaning services to large and small rail-car customers throughout North America. Rail Partners will retain the company's brand name and all Tactical Cleaning operational personnel will remain in place, according to a Rail Partners press release. Financing for the transaction was provided by Seneca Partners and Uniprop. Other financial details were undisclosed.

The North East Association of Rail Shippers announced last week it is recognizing North Shore Railroad Co. Chairman Emeritus Richard Robey as the Transportation Person of the Year.

"Dick was a true pioneer in the short-line industry at a time when few believed that railroading had much of a future," association officials said in a press release.

Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) interim General Manager Steve Poftak over the weekend visited several infrastructure improvement project sites.

One stop included the site of a railroad drawbridge replacement in Beverly, Massachusetts. To accommodate the work, the MBTA on July 17 shut down Newburyport/Rockport Line service north of Salem, Massachusetts. Train service is slated to return to normal tomorrow, MBTA officials said in a press release.

Canada's Transportation Safety Board (TSB) has found that an August 2016 collision between two Canadian Pacific trains occurred when one of the trains ran a stop signal.

The investigation highlights the need for onboard voice and video recorders, TSB officials said in a press release.

Canada's Transportation Safety Board (TSB) has found that an August 2016 collision between two Canadian Pacific trains occurred when one of the trains ran a stop signal.

The investigation highlights the need for onboard voice and video recorders, TSB officials said in a press release.

The Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA) has arrested 536 fare evaders during a recent six-week crackdown, the agency announced late last week.

Over the past six weeks, plainclothes officers have actively monitored fare gates across MARTA's 38 rail stations for riders hopping on board without paying. The effort led to hundreds of arrests and suspensions from the agency's system, MARTA officials said in a press release.

CSX violated federal law by implementing a physical abilities battery that discriminates against women, according to a lawsuit field by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) last week.

The EEOC alleges that since at least 2008, CSX has conducted isokinetic strength testing as a requirement for workers to be selected for various jobs. Known as the IPCS Biodex, the strength test causes a discriminatory impact on women seeking jobs as conductors, material handlers/clerks, and a number of other job categories, the EEOC said in a press release.

CSX violated federal law by implementing a physical abilities battery that discriminates against women, according to a lawsuit field by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) last week.

The EEOC alleges that since at least 2008, CSX has conducted isokinetic strength testing as a requirement for workers to be selected for various jobs. Known as the IPCS Biodex, the strength test causes a discriminatory impact on women seeking jobs as conductors, material handlers/clerks, and a number of other job categories, the EEOC said in a press release.

Caltrain's board has awarded a $32 million contract to Proven Management Inc. for the South San Francisco Station improvement project.

The project involves track and signal work, along with the installation of a new 700-foot center boarding platform. The work also will provide a connection to a new pedestrian underpass from the platform to Grand Avenue/Poletti Drive.

Rail specific and rail related projects across six states have been selected to receive grants as part of the Fostering Advancements in Shipping and Transportation for the Long-term Achievement of National Efficiencies (FASTLANE) program.

Rail specific and rail related projects across six states have been selected to receive grants as part of the Fostering Advancements in Shipping and Transportation for the Long-term Achievement of National Efficiencies (FASTLANE) program.

Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) is using its increase in capital spending on system-wide upgrades and repairs. Following a 40-percent increase from last year, MBTA says it's kicking its infrastructure improvements into high gear.

"We're fully committed to our goal of increased investments in our system's existing infrastructure by putting funds toward maintenance and repairs, resulting in better service for our customers," said interim MBTA General Manager Steve Poftak.

Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) is using its increase in capital spending on system-wide upgrades and repairs. Following a 40-percent increase from last year, MBTA says it's kicking its infrastructure improvements into high gear.

"We're fully committed to our goal of increased investments in our system's existing infrastructure by putting funds toward maintenance and repairs, resulting in better service for our customers," said interim MBTA General Manager Steve Poftak.