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Aug
03

Harrison apologizes to CSX customers for service issues

CSX President and Chief Executive Officer E. Hunter Harrison has emailed customers a letter apologizing for recent service disruptions that have occurred as the Class I goes through its restructuring.

The email was sent in response to recent customer complaints about the quality of CSX service. The complaints prompted the Surface Transportation Board last week to contact Harrison and ask the company to address the situation.

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Aug
03

Harrison apologizes to CSX customers for service issues

CSX President and Chief Executive Officer E. Hunter Harrison has emailed customers a letter apologizing for recent service disruptions that have occurred as the Class I goes through its restructuring.

The email was sent in response to recent customer complaints about the quality of CSX service. The complaints prompted the Surface Transportation Board last week to contact Harrison and ask the company to address the situation.

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Aug
03

MTA names Foye, Hakim to top leadership posts

Rail News Home Railroading People 8/3/2017 Rail News: Railroading People
Patrick Foye and Ronnie HakimPhoto – PANYNJ, MTA

Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) Chairman Joseph Lhota today announced the appointment of Patrick Foye as the agency's president and Veronique Hakim as managing director.

Foye and Hakim will serve in the newly created office of the chairman, which also will include MTA Chief Development Officer Janno Lieber.

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Aug
03

Senate Commerce Committee advances Batory FRA nomination

The U.S. Senate Committee on Science, Commerce and Transportation on Aug. 2 favorably recommended, by voice vote, the appointment of Ronald L. Batory as the next Federal Railroad Administrator.

Batory's nomination now goes to the full Senate, where he is likely to be confirmed as FRA Administrator by a voice vote. When that vote will take place is unknown, as the Senate is due to recess for a summer break shortly following an extended session called for by Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.).

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Aug
03

Senate Commerce Committee advances Batory FRA nomination

The U.S. Senate Committee on Science, Commerce and Transportation on Aug. 2 favorably recommended, by voice vote, the appointment of Ronald L. Batory as the next Federal Railroad Administrator.

Batory's nomination now goes to the full Senate, where he is likely to be confirmed as FRA Administrator by a voice vote. When that vote will take place is unknown, as the Senate is due to recess for a summer break shortly following an extended session called for by Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.).

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Aug
03

Senate Commerce Committee advances Batory FRA nomination

The U.S. Senate Committee on Science, Commerce and Transportation on Aug. 2 favorably recommended, by voice vote, the appointment of Ronald L. Batory as the next Federal Railroad Administrator.

 

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Aug
03

HART Board elects new executive director and CEO

Andrew Robbins will serve as the next executive director and chief executive officer of the Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation (HART).

The board interviewed seven finalists after narrowing a global search of more than a hundred applicants to succeed HART's current Interim Executive Director and C.E.O. Krishniah Murthy. Murthy will remain with HART for a period to allow for Robbins' successful transition into his new role leading Honolulu's Rail Transit Project.

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Aug
03

HART Board elects new executive director and CEO

Andrew Robbins will serve as the next executive director and chief executive officer of the Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation (HART).

The board interviewed seven finalists after narrowing a global search of more than a hundred applicants to succeed HART's current Interim Executive Director and C.E.O. Krishniah Murthy. Murthy will remain with HART for a period to allow for Robbins' successful transition into his new role leading Honolulu's Rail Transit Project.

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Aug
03

HART Board elects new executive director and CEO

Andrew Robbins will serve as the next executive director and chief executive officer of the Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation (HART).

The board interviewed seven finalists after narrowing a global search of more than a hundred applicants to succeed HART's current Interim Executive Director and C.E.O. Krishniah Murthy. Murthy will remain with HART for a period to allow for Robbins' successful transition into his new role leading Honolulu's Rail Transit Project.

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Aug
03

FTA issues ROD for Portal Bridge Project

The U.S. Department of Transportation's (USDOT) Federal Transit Administration (FTA) has issued a Record of Decision (ROD) that formally adopts the Federal Railroad Administration's (FRA) Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the Portal Bridge Project.

The project is seeking to replace a century-old swing bridge over the Hackensack River in New Jersey with a high-level, fixed bridge. The existing Portal Bridge hosts close to 450 trains per day traveling between Newark, N.J. and Penn Station, New York. It has become a major bottleneck and source of delay of train traffic due to the aging mechanical components that sometimes malfunction while opening and closing for maritime traffic. The new bridge, estimated to cost $1.64 billion, will eliminate the movable components and risk of malfunction.

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Aug
03

FTA issues ROD for Portal Bridge Project

The U.S. Department of Transportation's (USDOT) Federal Transit Administration (FTA) has issued a Record of Decision (ROD) that formally adopts the Federal Railroad Administration's (FRA) Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the Portal Bridge Project.

The project is seeking to replace a century-old swing bridge over the Hackensack River in New Jersey with a high-level, fixed bridge. The existing Portal Bridge hosts close to 450 trains per day traveling between Newark, N.J. and Penn Station, New York. It has become a major bottleneck and source of delay of train traffic due to the aging mechanical components that sometimes malfunction while opening and closing for maritime traffic. The new bridge, estimated to cost $1.64 billion, will eliminate the movable components and risk of malfunction.

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Aug
03

FTA issues ROD for Portal Bridge Project

The U.S. Department of Transportation's (USDOT) Federal Transit Administration (FTA) has issued a Record of Decision (ROD) that formally adopts the Federal Railroad Administration's (FRA) Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the Portal Bridge Project.

The project is seeking to replace a century-old swing bridge over the Hackensack River in New Jersey with a high-level, fixed bridge. The existing Portal Bridge hosts close to 450 trains per day traveling between Newark, N.J. and Penn Station, New York. It has become a major bottleneck and source of delay of train traffic due to the aging mechanical components that sometimes malfunction while opening and closing for maritime traffic. The new bridge, estimated to cost $1.64 billion, will eliminate the movable components and risk of malfunction.

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Aug
03

Omaha Track hosts Rep. Bacon for tour, policy discussion

Omaha Track, Inc., hosted U.S. Rep. Don Bacon (R-NE-2) and local railroad officials on Aug. 2 for a facility tour and public policy discussion.

The event was coordinated by The Railway Engineering-Maintenance and Suppliers Association, which has nine member companies based in the state.

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Aug
03

Omaha Track hosts Rep. Bacon for tour, policy discussion

Omaha Track, Inc., hosted U.S. Rep. Don Bacon (R-NE-2) and local railroad officials on Aug. 2 for a facility tour and public policy discussion.

The event was coordinated by The Railway Engineering-Maintenance and Suppliers Association, which has nine member companies based in the state.

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Aug
03

Omaha Track hosts Rep. Bacon for tour, policy discussion

Omaha Track, Inc., hosted U.S. Rep. Don Bacon (R-NE-2) and local railroad officials on Aug. 2 for a facility tour and public policy discussion.

 

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Aug
03

Rising Stars: Michele Malski, Short Line Safety Institute

Michele Malski, 28

Job description: Malski’s role includes communications, strategic planning, new programs, project and grant management, and railroad outreach. She also develops training and education about components of safety culture.

Education: Bachelor’s degree in industrial labor relations with a minor in law and society, Cornell University

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Aug
02

Rail supplier news from Jacobs, Vertex, Lat-Lon, Cubic and Alstom (Aug. 2)

Jacobs Engineering Group Inc. has agreed to purchase CH2M Hill Cos. Ltd. for $2.85 billion. The transaction is aimed at providing Jacobs a "leading position" and new expertise in the high-growth infrastructure and government services sectors, Jacobs officials said in a press release. In addition, Jacobs will be able to deliver more solutions to more clients by applying CH2M's advanced design, technical and program management expertise, company officials said. The transaction is expected to close in the first quarter of Jacobs' 2018 fiscal year.

Vertex Railcar Corp. has obtained an order for its 2480 CF aggregate car from a rail industry lessor. The lessor chose Vertex after visiting its facility in Wilmington, North Carolina. The deal marks the second time a rail lessor has chosen the company's aggregate car in recent months, Vertex officials said in a press release. In addition, another lessor has recently chosen Vertex's 7500CF wood chip car. Although Vertex didn't disclose the quantity of cars or terms of either order, company officials described both deals as "significant." The cars will begin shipping in early fall.

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Aug
02

Amtrak, Lyft unveil new partnership

Rail News Home Amtrak 8/2/2017 Rail News: Amtrak
Passengers can now hail a Lyft via Amtrak's mobile app.Photo – Amtrak

Amtrak and Lyft yesterday announced a new partnership aimed at helping riders complete the first- and last-mile segments of their journeys.

Passengers now can use the Amtrak mobile app to request a ride with the ride-sharing service. First-time Lyft users can receive a $5 credit on each of their first four rides with the service.

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Aug
02

Washington panel accepting grant applications for rail safety projects

Rail News Home Safety 8/2/2017 Rail News: Safety
The state of Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission is accepting applications from railroad companies, local governments and other agencies interested in funding to make safety improvements at railroad crossings and along tracks. Funding is provided through the state Grade Crossing Protective Fund. Grants are typically limited to $20,000 for each project. Applications will be accepted through Jan. 1, 2019, and grant awards will be made as applications are received and approved by the commission, according to a press release.Railroad safety improvement projects may include upgrading active warning devices at crossings; installing energy efficient LED flashing lights; replacing crossbucks and signage at crossings; constructing pedestrian sidewalks for safe passage; and building fences to prevent trespassing on tracks.The commission will select proposals for projects based on costs, severity of the hazard and the safety benefits resulting from the completed projects.

Contact Progressive Railroading editorial staff.

More News from 8/2/2017


Aug
02

APTA mulls ways to increase revenue

The American Public Transportation Association (APTA) has begun evaluating ideas to modernize its business model and increase revenue.

The association's total number of members and yearly revenue have remained generally flat for more than 10 years, APTA Chair Doran Barnes wrote in his "Observations and Aspirations" newsletter.

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