Railpace Hot News
Keep up to date on the latest railroad news from the northeastern United States and Canada, edited by Carl Perelman.
July 13, 2022
Amtrak and Vermont Agency of Transportation Announce Tickets on Sale for Burlington Service.
Amtrak, in conjunction with the Vermont Agency of Transportation (AOT), is now selling Ethan Allen Express tickets for daily travel between Burlington and New York City, including new stops in Vergennes and Middlebury, via Amtrak.com, the Amtrak app, Amtrak ticket desks and kiosks, and through 1-800-USA-RAIL. Service will kick off at 10:10 a.m. Friday, July 29, 2022, with a celebratory event at Burlington’s Union Station. The details, coming soon, will include $1 ticketed train fares within Vermont on the Ethan Allen Express, limited shuttle service on the day of the event for return transportation to Burlington from Vergennes for ticketed passengers, and 50% promotional fares on the Ethan Allen Express this summer.
July 12, 2022
VIA Rail Canada Strike Averted:
VIA Rail Canada (VIA Rail) has reached tentative agreements with Unifor’s Council 4000 and Local 100, the union representing some 2,400 VIA Rail employees working in its stations, on board its trains, in its maintenance centres, the VIA Customer Centre, and administrative offices.
July 11, 2022
Metro-North Announces New Train Schedules:
MTA Metro-North Railroad announced that new train schedules will took effect Sunday, July 10. The schedules reflect Metro-North’s partnership with the Connecticut Department of Transportation (CTDOT) featuring a pilot project for six new express trains between New Haven and Grand Central Terminal timed to connect with enhanced service on the Waterbury Branch. Elsewhere, there are additional service enhancements on the Harlem and Hudson Lines and on the New Haven Line between Stamford and Grand Central, and Harrison and Grand Central.
July 8, 2022
VIA PLANS TO SUSPEND OPERATIONS IN PREPARATION STRIKE
With a 72-hour strike notice now issued by the union representing some 2,400 VIA Rail Canada (VIA Rail) employees working in its stations, on board its trains, in its maintenance centres, the VIA Customer Centre, and administrative offices, VIA Rail may be forced to suspend its services across its network at 12:01 a.m. (ET) on July 11, 2022 should no agreement be reached by that time.
July 8, 2022
Septa Announces Regional Rail Service Adjustments For Upcoming Work
SEPTA will further efforts to rebuild a critical portion of Regional Rail infrastructure in the University City area as part of the Southwest Connection Improvement Program (SCIP). Work and related service adjustments will start this weekend, July 9-10.
July 7, 2022
Governor Hochul and Governor Murphy Sign Gateway Program’s Phase One MOU for the Portal North Bridge & Hudson Tunnel Projects
Governor Kathy Hochul and Governor Phil Murphy signed the Phase One Memorandum of Understanding required by the Gateway Development Commission Act along with Port Authority of New York and New Jersey Executive Director Rick Cotton. The MOU outlines sources, uses, and timing of funding on behalf of New Jersey and New York for Phase One Gateway Projects: Portal North Bridge and the Hudson Tunnel Project. Signing this MOU advances the Gateway Program to its next phase, which will detail the parties’ responsibilities with respect to delivery of the Hudson Tunnel Project and move forward in the federal project review.
July 7, 2022
Amtrak and RIDOT Partner to Improve Accessibility at Westerly Station
Amtrak, in conjunction with the Rhode Island Department of Transportation (RIDOT), announced today the completion of American Disabilities Act (ADA) improvements at Westerly Station in Westerly, R.I. Station. This includes two new elevators, featuring new elevator enclosures at platform level constructed in the style of the historic station, an accessible pathway to and from the public right-of-way, two accessible parking spaces, and a new sloped walkway for accessing the platform, modified handrails and guardrails, and new ADA compliant signs throughout the station environment.
July 7, 2022
Rail Traffic for June and the Week Ending July 2, 2022
The Association of American Railroads (AAR) reported U.S. rail traffic for the week ending July 2, 2022, as well as volumes for June 2022. U.S. railroads originated 1,157,555 carloads in June 2022, down 1.5 percent, or 17,970 carloads, from June 2021. U.S. railroads also originated 1,323,119 containers and trailers in June 2022, down 4.6 percent, or 63,483 units, from the same month last year. Combined U.S. carload and intermodal originations in June 2022 were 2,480,674, down 3.2 percent, or 81,453 carloads and intermodal units from June 2021.
July 6, 2022
President Biden, USDOT Announce More Than $573 Million in Available Funding from the New Railroad Crossing Elimination Program
The U.S. Department of Transportation issued a Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) announcing more than $573 million in available grant funding this year alone for the Railroad Crossing Elimination Program. This new competitive discretionary grant program – which will help improve safety, eliminate lengthy delays at railroad crossings in communities across the country and ultimately lower the costs of transporting goods, making them more affordable for American families – was created by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and will be administered by the Federal Railroad Administration.
July 6, 2022
SEPTA Trolley Tunnel To Close For 2022 Trolley Tunnel Blitz, July 8-25
SEPTA crews will work around-the-clock for 16 days, tackling critical track and power maintenance, station upgrades, and intensive cleaning as part of the 2022 Trolley Tunnel Blitz.
