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Apr
18

CSX posts record first-quarter earnings

CSX Corp. yesterday announced first-quarter 2018 earnings that surpassed analysts' estimates and a profit that nearly doubled compared with a year ago, as the Class I continued to cut costs and advance its scheduled railroading model.

CSX reported record Q1 2018 net earnings of $695 million, or 78 cents per share, compared with $362 million, or 39 cents per share in the same quarter last year.

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Apr
18

Rail Labor: Q&A with Amalgamated Transit Union's Lawrence Hanley

About 12 percent of the Amalgamated Transit Union's members work in the transit-rail industry.

By This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., Senior Associate Editor

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Apr
17

Sound Transit begins public meetings for Tacoma Dome light-rail extension

Rail News Home Passenger Rail 4/17/2018 Rail News: Passenger Rail
The 9.7-mile Tacoma Dome extension will run on elevated and at-grade light rail from the Federal Way Transit Center to the Tacoma Dome.Photo – Sound Transit

Sound Transit today will kick off early scoping meetings for its Tacoma Dome Link light-rail extension.

The open house-style meetings will allow residents to comment on route and station locations for the project, as well as the location for a new operations and maintenance facility.

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Apr
17

Washington state panel OKs funds for rail-crossing improvements

The Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission (UTC) has approved more than $30,000 in grant funding for rail-crossing upgrades in Auburn.

Auburn city officials requested the funds to improve safety at the C Street SW crossing, according to a UTC press release.

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Apr
17

Port of Montreal project set to expand rail infrastructure

Rail News Home Intermodal 4/17/2018 Rail News: Intermodal
The intermodal project will "optimize" the port's rail network capacity.Photo – Port of Montreal

The Canadian government will invest CA$18.4 million to improve rail infrastructure at the Port of Montreal, Minister of Transport Marc Garneau announced last week.

The intermodal project will "optimize" the port's rail network capacity, particularly in the port's interchange zone.

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Apr
17

APTA recognizes sustainability at MARTA, Caltrain and SamTrans

Rail News Home Sustainability 4/17/2018 Rail News: Sustainability
To reduce water usage, MARTA improved train wash requirements and water treatment plant options.Photo – MARTA

The American Public Transportation Association (APTA) has recognized the Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA), Caltrain and the San Mateo County Transit District (SamTrans) for sustainability efforts.

Each agency received the association's silver level recognition for "measurable sustainability achievements," APTA officials said in a press release.

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Apr
17

BNSF honors employees for outstanding work in 2017

BNSF Railway Co. recently recognized its 2017 Employees of the Year at an awards ceremony in Fort Worth, Texas.

This year, the Class I recognized 73 of its 41,000 workers for individual and team achievements, BNSF officials said in a press release.

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Apr
17

BNSF honors employees for outstanding work in 2017

BNSF Railway Co. recently recognized its 2017 Employees of the Year at an awards ceremony in Fort Worth, Texas.

This year, the Class I recognized 73 of its 41,000 workers for individual and team achievements, BNSF officials said in a press release.

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Apr
17

SEPTA proposes $1.4 billion operating budget for FY19

Rail News Home Passenger Rail 4/17/2018 Rail News: Passenger Rail
The proposed budget doesn't include any fare hikes.Photo – SEPTA

The Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) has proposed a $1.45 billion operating budget for fiscal-year 2019.

The proposal would maintain current service levels with no fare increases, SEPTA officials said in a press release.

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Apr
17

SCPA opens Inland Port Dillon

The South Carolina Ports Authority (SCPA) opened its second inland port, Inland Port Dillon, on April 16. SCPA says the facility was constructed to handle strong growth for the port's intermodal rail cargo volumes and deepen its reach into markets through the Carolinas to the Northeast and Midwest.

SCPA opened its first inland facility, Inland Port Greer, in the upstate region of South Carolina in November 2013. Inland Port Greer handled a record-breaking 124,817 rail moves in calendar year 2017, an increase of 20 percent over the previous year.

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Apr
17

CTA celebrates new South Terminal at 95th Street Station

Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) Board Chairman Terry Peterson and CTA President Dorval R. Carter, Jr., celebrated on April 15 the opening of the first of two new bus and rail terminal facilities at 95th Street.

 

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Apr
17

CSX-served Inland Port Dillon opens in South Carolina

The South Carolina Ports Authority (SCPA) yesterday officially opened the new Inland Port Dillon, the authority's second inland facility to handle intermodal rail cargo.

Inland Port Dillon uses an existing CSX intermodal train service to handle container movements to and from the Port of Charleston's seaport facilities, authority officials said in a press release.

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Apr
17

CSX-served Inland Port Dillon opens in South Carolina

The South Carolina Ports Authority (SCPA) yesterday officially opened the new Inland Port Dillon, the authority's second inland facility to handle intermodal rail cargo.

Inland Port Dillon uses an existing CSX intermodal train service to handle container movements to and from the Port of Charleston's seaport facilities, authority officials said in a press release.

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Apr
17

Less than a year left for states to certify SSO Programs

With just under a year left for states to certify their State Safety Oversight (SSO) Programs, the Federal Transit Administration is reminding those affected what is at stake should the deadline not be met: Billons in federal funds.

"Safety is our top priority and FTA is committed to working with states to help them fulfill their safety responsibilities," said FTA Acting Administrator K. Jane Williams. "These Safety Oversight Programs will make our rail transit systems safer for the millions of Americans relying on them each day."

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Apr
17

FTA calls on states to get rail safety programs certified early

By This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., Associate Editor

Federal Transit Administration (FTA) Acting Administrator K. Jane Williams yesterday called on states to get their transit-rail safety oversight programs by Sept. 30 or sooner.

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Apr
17

Union Pacific to invest $25 million in Missouri network

Union Pacific (UP) will give Missouri's transportation infrastructure a $25 million boost in 2018.

 

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Apr
16

St. Louis transit agency unveils personal safety app

Metro Transit-St. Louis last week unveiled a personal safety app that enables train and bus riders to discreetly contact law enforcement in emergencies.

Passengers who believe they are in an unsafe situation can open the "SafeTrek" app and hold their thumb on a "safe" button. Once safe, the rider releases the button and enters a customized four-digit number.

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Apr
16

Rail connections to Toronto Pearson airport to be studied

The Greater Toronto Airports Authority (GTAA) and Metrolinx will partner on a study looking at potential rail between Toronto Pearson's Regional Transit and Passenger Centre and the Kitchener rail corridor.

GTAA and Metrolinx will also evaluate additional potential transit connections, such as with the Eglinton Crosstown West Light Rail Transit corridor. The two entities say the integration of transit projects into Canada's busiest airport will help connect the country's second largest employment zone and reduce highway congestion.

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Apr
16

Metrolink launches survey to boost millennial ridership

Rail News Home Rail Industry Trends 4/16/2018 Rail News: Rail Industry Trends
The survey asks college students what features would make public transit a better commuting option.Photo – Metrolink

As part of its effort to attract millennial riders, Metrolink has begun conducting a new online survey of Southern California college and university students.

The survey asks questions that gauge how students get to school, work and other destinations. It also asks what features would make public transit a better commuting option.

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Apr
16

NYSDOT announces bridge replacement over CSX track

An $8.2 million project is underway to replace the U.S. Route 11 bridge over CSX track in the town of Dekalb in St. Lawrence County, the New York State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT) announced late last week.

The project begins east of State Route 812 and ends near County Route 19. The new bridge will be founded on driven piles and have reinforced concrete substructures, which will provide greater lateral clearance for the CSX rail line that passes beneath, NYSDOT officials said in a press release.

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