Commuter Rail – Page 59 – Railfanning.org

MARTA: New Economic Forecast Predicts Worsening Budget Crisis

February 3, 2009 Railfanning.org News Wire

ATLANTA — The latest economic forecast issued in December 2008 for MARTA by the Georgia State Economic Forecasting Center predicts a further worsening of its current fiscal crisis by an additional $10 million, the transit agency said. The forecast also predicts MARTA will experience a cumulative loss of more than $1.2 billion in sales tax revenue over the next ten years – that is up an additional $588 million from its fall 2008 report. “This latest forecast truly underscores the magnitude and severity of the economic times that we are currently dealing with,” said Beverly A. Scott, MARTA General Manager

Newark Light Rail Gets Communications Upgrade

February 3, 2009 Railfanning.org News Wire

NEWARK, N.J. — New Jersey Office of Homeland Security and Preparedness Director Richard L. Cañas joined N.J. Transit Police officials and representatives from Newark-area emergency response agencies to announce the completion of a communication system upgrade recently installed on Newark Light Rail that enables dozens of responding agencies to communicate via a common radio channel. “Enhancing interoperable communications among and between first responders in this part of New Jersey because of its heavy reliance on the mass transportation network, like the Newark Light Rail, is a key component of our state’s homeland security strategy,” said Cañas. “We will continue to

Feds Greenlight ARC Project

February 3, 2009 Railfanning.org News Wire

NEWARK, N.J — The Mass Transit Tunnel, centerpiece of the Access to the Region’s Core (ARC) project, reached a major milestone that clears the way for federal funding and will allow construction to begin this year. The release of a “Record of Decision” by the Federal Transit Administration officially completes the project’s exhaustive environmental review process. Senators Frank R. Lautenberg and Robert Menendez worked extensively to secure this approval from the FTA. The local financing share of $5.7 billion is already committed, including $3 billion from the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey. New Jersey is now looking

Shevell Reappointed to NJT Board

February 3, 2009 Railfanning.org News Wire

NEWARK, N.J. — N.J. Transit announced the reappointment of Myron “Mike” Shevell to its Board of Directors. Shevell, who was confirmed by the New Jersey Senate on January 13, will continue to serve as Vice Chairman of the Board. “We are fortunate to have Vice Chairman Shevell’s continued service on the Board of Directors,” said Transportation Commissioner and N.J. Transit Board Chairman Stephen Dilts. “His first-hand experience in the transportation sector has been an invaluable asset to N.J. Transit and our customers.” A Long Branch resident, Shevell has been a member of the Board since 1995, serving as vice chairman

Mass Transit Could See More Bailout Money

February 3, 2009 Railfanning.org News Wire

WASHINGTON — Sens. Patty Murray, D-Wash., and Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., proposed an amendment to the Congress’ bailout bill they say directs $25 billion to “immediately support” nearly 700,000 American jobs through highway, mass transit and water infrastructure investments. “Construction projects across the country have been put on hold because states simply don’t have the money to move forward. It’s time to stop hitting snooze on modernizing our communities and wake up to the fact that construction projects get Americans working today,” Murray said. “This amendment invests in tried and true projects that get laid-off workers back on the job and

UTA Adds Commuter Rail Service by Adding Train Shuttles on Weekdays

February 3, 2009 Railfanning.org News Wire

OGDEN, Utah — The Utah Transit Authority (UTA) is increasing FrontRunner service to its Pleasant View station by adding shuttle trains and buses between Ogden and Pleasant View starting Jan. 26. Patrons can connect to three Salt Lake City-bound trains from Pleasant View Station. Additionally, patrons can access four evening Pleasant View-bound trains from Salt Lake Central Station. UTA shares the five-mile track from Ogden to Pleasant View with the Union Pacific Railroad (UPRR). UTA opened limited FrontRunner service to Pleasant View on Sept. 27, 2008 with one morning and one evening train. At that time, UTA committed to work

Federal Transit Administration Signs Agreement to Provide $428.3 Million to Fund Mid-Jordan Extension of TRAX Light Rail System

February 3, 2009 Railfanning.org News Wire

MIDVALE, Utah — Residents in the growing cities of Murray, Midvale, West Jordan and South Jordan will soon have more options for traveling to and from downtown Salt Lake, thanks to $428.3 million grant from the Federal Transit Administration. Acting FTA Administrator Sherry Little was joined by Utah Transit Authority (UTA) officials and local leaders this morning to sign the “full funding grant agreement” which commits the federal funds toward the project. “The Mid-Jordan extension is the latest federal down payment to support Utah’s visionary and ambitious effort to develop a world-class public transportation ‘backbone’ by 2015,” Little said. “This

Woman Falls on Metro Tracks

January 20, 2009 Railfanning.org News Wire

WASHINGTON — A 68-year-old woman fell on the tracks at Washington Metro’s Gallery Place station on the red line on Jan. 20. Authorities initially said the woman was hit by a train, but later revised their account. After falling, the woman was taken to a hotpital and treated for non-life-threatening injuries. The woman’s fall comes during an extremely busy travel period on the Metro and more passengers than normal are using the subway system to attend the presidential inauguration. Hundreds of thousands of people attending the Inaugural Opening Ceremony at the Lincoln Memorial helped Metro set a new Sunday ridership

Metrorail Sets new Sunday Record for Ridership

January 20, 2009 Railfanning.org News Wire

WASHINGTON — Hundreds of thousands of people attending the Inaugural Opening Ceremony at the Lincoln Memorial helped Metro set a new Sunday ridership in the transit agency’s 32-year history on Sunday, Jan. 18. Riders took 616,324 trips, smashing the previous all-time high ridership day for a Sunday by 75,000 trips. Combined with 86,836 Metrobus trips, the Metro system carried about 703,000 trips. Yesterday’s high rail ridership also makes it the third highest overall weekend ridership day in Metro’s history. The highest weekend ridership day occurred on June 8, 1991, when 786,358 trips were recorded for a Desert Storm rally. The

OneRail Coalition: Encourage Transportation Policies that IncreaseMobility, Reduce Emissions, Promote Economic Growth

January 19, 2009 Railfanning.org News Wire

WASHINGTON — Environmental, freight and passenger rail groups have come together with reform-minded transportation experts to form a coalition that will advance rail programs. The coalition, called the OneRail Coalition, said it will encourage public policies recognizing rail as a critical element of the national transportation system and an essential part of the future economic growth and environmental well-being of the nation. Members include American Public Transportation Association, Amtrak, American Short Line & Regional Railroad Association, Association of American Railroads, Building America’s Future, National Association of Railroad Passengers, Natural Resources Defense Council, Railway Supply Institute, States for Passenger Rail Coalition,