Commuter Rail – Page 56 – Railfanning.org

LaHood Signs $900 Million Agreement to Fund Wiehle Avenue Extension of Dulles Corridor Metrorail Project

March 27, 2009 Railfanning.org News Wire

WASHINGTON — U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood earlier this month committed $900 million through 2016 to the $3.1 billion Wiehle Avenue Extension of the Dulles Corridor Metrorail Project. “This project comes at a pivotal point as the Obama Administration begins to make vast improvements to our nation’s top transit systems,” LaHood said. “It will create construction jobs, encourage economic development opportunities, and help Tysons Corner become a more livable community.” The 11.7-mile heavy rail line will be an extension to the existing Metrorail system just east of the West Falls Church station through Tysons Corner to its terminus at Wiehle

MTA Opens New South Ferry Subway Terminal

March 27, 2009 Railfanning.org News Wire

The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) opened the new South Ferry Subway Station in Lower Manhattan, the first new subway station to open since 1989.

MTA Board Approves Service Reductions and Fare/Toll Increases

March 26, 2009 Railfanning.org News Wire

NEW YORK — The Metropolitan Transportation Authority Board approved a series of resolutions that will allow the MTA to move forward with fare increases of 25 to 30 percent and service reductions that will affect customers throughout its service area. These actions were required to implement the balanced budget passed by the Board in December, which closed an approximately $1.2 billion deficit, the board said. The fare and toll increases will be effective on the following dates: New York City Transit, MTA Bus and Long Island Bus (subway, buses and Staten Island Railway): May 31 Long Island Rail Road and

MTA: Staten Island Railway Ridership Figures Show ‘Impressive Gains’ for 2008

March 25, 2009 Railfanning.org News Wire

NEW YORK — Last year, MTA Staten Island Railway (SIR) saw an impressive gain in ridership attributable to a series of factors, including the increase of p.m. rush hour express service and the unprecedented jump in gasoline prices which persuaded many commuters to leave their cars at home. From 2007, annual ridership climbed 6.1 percent to 4.38 million in 2008 while the average number of customers using SIR on an average weekday rose 5.1 percent to 15,713. “We greet these ridership figures with great enthusiasm,” said SIR General Manager John Gaul, who noted that there was no single reason for

G Line Customers Grade Their Service a ‘D-Plus’ in 2nd Annual Rider Report Card Survey

March 25, 2009 Railfanning.org News Wire

NEW YORK — MTA New York City Transit released the results from the 2nd Annual Rider Report Card Survey on the G line which was done in mid-December 2008. The G line again received an overall grade of “D-plus,” unchanged from 2007. The customer satisfaction index of 75 percent was, however, slightly lower than 2007’s 76 percent. Customers sent in 1,746 Rider Report Cards by mail and 150 via the internet, totaling 1,896 responses, to gauge customer satisfaction on the line. Twenty-one separate service attributes were graded on the G line, which runs from Smith-9th Streets in Brooklyn to Long

The Route of the Dashing Commuter: The Long Island Rail Road at 175

March 25, 2009 Railfanning.org News Wire

To commemorate the Long Island Rail Road’s 175th anniversary, the New York Transit Museum in Brooklyn Heights is presenting a new exhibition April 14-Sept. 13 entitled, “The Route of the Dashing Commuter: The Long Island Rail Road at 175.”

6 Line Customers Grade Their Service a ‘C’ in 2nd Annual Rider Report Card Survey

March 24, 2009 Railfanning.org News Wire

NEW YORK — MTA New York City Transit released the results from the 2nd Annual Rider Report Card Survey on the 6 line which was done in early January. The 6 line again received an overall grade of “C,” unchanged from 2007. However, the customer satisfaction index of 92 percent was slightly lower than 2007’s 93 percent. Customers sent in 5,392 Rider Report Cards by mail and 177 via the internet, totaling 5,569 responses, to gauge customer satisfaction on the line. Twenty-one separate service attributes were graded on the 6 line, which runs from Pelham Bay Park in the Bronx

Wabtec Receives Orders Worth About $75 Million For Components For NYCT R-160 Subway Cars

March 24, 2009 Railfanning.org News Wire

WILMERDING, Penn. – Wabtec Corp. announced that it has received additional option orders worth about $75 million to supply components for New York City subway cars being purchased under the Metropolitan Transit Authority’s R-160 program. The orders represent components for the second option order of 382 cars, which are to be delivered over the next two years. Under the R-160 program, New York City has now ordered 1,662 cars, which are being built by ALSTOM Transportation and Kawasaki. Wabtec has been supplying components for the previous cars and will now provide the same components for the 382 option cars, as

Billions in Taxpayers’ Money to Fund Railroad Projects

March 24, 2009 Railfanning.org News Wire

WASHINGTON – Taxpayers’ money is flowing toward a number of rail-related projects nationwide, thanks to a massive spending plan from President Obama’s administration. The Department of Transportation plans to direct $8 billion toward the develop of high speed passenger rail corridors. Officials contend the newer and faster trains, which can travel up to 200 m.p.h., will ease congestion on the nation’s highways and at airports. The government is also giving Amtrak, $1.3 billion for infrastructure upgrades and expanding passenger rail capacity. “We subsidize our highways and airports more than we subsidize Amtrak,” said Vice President Joe Biden. “So let’s get

Amtrak Cascades Celebrates 10 Years of Passenger Rail Service in Pacific Northwest

March 23, 2009 Railfanning.org News Wire

OLYMPIA, Wash. — The Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT), Amtrak and the Oregon Department of Transportation are celebrating 10 years of Amtrak Cascades passenger rail service in the Pacific Northwest (Eugene, Ore. to Vancouver, B.C.). Amtrak Cascades is commemorating its 10th anniversary May 9 with a special celebration during the National Train Day event on at Seattle’s King Street Station. “Amtrak Cascades has proven to be a valuable transportation option for Washington travelers,” said Paula Hammond, Washington Transportation Secretary. “Whether people are exploring unique Northwest towns and attractions or making an important business connection in urban centers, this rail