Railpace Hot News
Keep up to date on the latest railroad news from the northeastern United States and Canada, edited by Carl Perelman.
December 22, 2023
Weekly Rail Traffic for the Week Ending December 16, 2023
The Association of American Railroads (AAR) reported U.S. rail traffic for the week ending December 16, 2023. For this week, total U.S. weekly rail traffic was 502,583 carloads and intermodal units, up 7.6 percent compared with the same week last year.
December 21, 2023
Maryland Transit Administration Completes Feasibility Study, Advances North-South Corridor Transit Initiative to Next Phase
The Maryland Department of Transportation Maryland Transit Administration has completed the feasibility study for the North-South Transit Corridor, designed to provide better transit connections between the Towson area of Baltimore County and downtown Baltimore. The study, which will advance to analyze various options in the coming year, is part of the Central Maryland Regional Transit Plan, a 25-year plan released in October 2020 by a team that included the Regional Transit Plan Commission, the Baltimore Metropolitan Council, the public, and representatives from local jurisdictions.
December 20, 2023
Facing massive Budget Shortfall, Metro Releases Budget Proposal That Slashes Service and Increases Fares
Metro released a proposed budget for its next fiscal year that, without additional contributions from Metro’s funding partners, would necessitate fare increases and drastic cuts to service and to Metro’s workforce, a worst-case scenario for the region’s economy, quality of life, and environment.
December 20, 2023
Biden-Harris Administration Takes Nationwide Step to Address Assaults on Transit Workers
With assaults on transit workers at an unacceptable level, the Biden-Harris Administration is calling on the nation’s transit agencies to take further action to protect these critical frontline workers. Today, the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Transit Administration (FTA) published a proposed General Directive on required actions regarding assaults on transit workers in the Federal Register that will allow it to better assess and address the risk frontline transit workers face.
December 19, 2023
Norfolk Southern Grants $5 Million to Promote Safety, Build Communities
Norfolk Southern Corporation has distributed nearly $5 million in local grants to 330 organizations across its 22-state network as part of its Safety First and Thriving Communities grant programs.
December 19, 2023
SEPTA and FOTP Reach Tentative Contract Agreement
SEPTA and FOTP Lodge 109 reached a tentative agreement on a new contract for Transit Police officers. As a result of this agreement, SEPTA officers have returned to their regular patrols, ending a strike that began on Wednesday.
December 18, 2023
Commuter Rail Service Returns to Lynn on Monday, December 18
The MBTA and Keolis Commuter Services (Keolis), the agency’s operating partner for Commuter Rail, announced the return of Commuter Rail service to the Lynn community on Monday, December 18, which is nine months ahead of the original proposed timeline.
December 15, 2023
PA Governor Shapiro Administration Invests $42.5 Million in Rail Freight Infrastructure
The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) announced the approval of 25 rail freight improvement projects that will enhance freight mobility while creating or sustaining nearly 300 jobs across Pennsylvania. These investments are aligned with Governor Shapiro’s commitment to improve Pennsylvania’s infrastructure and support economic growth, and build on last week’s announcements of new federal funding of over $140 million in Pennsylvania rail investments to support the expansion of passenger rail along the Keystone West corridor between Harrisburg and Pittsburgh.
December 14, 2023
Effective Immediately SEPTA Transit Police Work Stoppage and Contingency Measures in Place
SEPTA has been informed by FOTP Lodge 109 that Transit Police officers have voted to go on strike. SEPTA has immediately enacted its strike contingency plan to ensure the safety and security of customers and employees.
December 14, 2023
NJ Transit Unveils Decorated Train Cars, Buses and Light Rail Vehicles for the Holiday Season
NJ TRANSIT customers may find their train, bus or light rail vehicle is decked out in festive holiday decorations this season. The agency has unveiled a fleet of decorated train cars, buses, and Light Rail Vehicles (LRVs) to wish Happy Holidays to customers statewide. This special holiday fleet will be in service throughout December, providing customers with tidings of joy! The holidays typically see many new customers traveling across the region, so NJ TRANSIT has also launched a new “How to Ride” online guide to assist customers utilizing NJ TRANSIT services.
