WASHINGTON — The House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure earlier this month approved a broad transit bill that aims to support public transportation agencies and increases incentives for commuters to choose transit options
HR 6052, known as the “Saving Energy Through Public Transportation Act of 2008”, addresses the nation’s energy crisis by encouraging the growth of […]

CHICAGO — Take a ride on the Amtrak Hiawatha Service trains between Chicago and Milwaukee this summer and bring the kids for free. From now through August 31, kids ages 2 to 15 travel for free every weekend this summer — including Independence Day weekend in July.
With the Amtrak Kids Ride Free promotion on the […]

NEW DELHI — An Indian railway that is at times the subject of terrorism is bulletproofing some of its locomotives, officials said.
“The idea is to instill some confidence in our engine drivers,” Northeast Frontier Railways general manager Ashutosh Swami told Indian Express newspaper. “The move, along with the bulletproof jackets which are already being provided […]

NEWARK, N.J. — N.J. Transit officials have awarded a contract for the final design and construction of a one-mile extension to the Hudson-Bergen Light Rail line.
The transit’s board last month awarded a $58.4 million contract to George Harms Construction Inc. of Howell, N.J., for work to extend the light rail line to at 8th Street […]

BASKING RIDGE, N.J. — The Toronto Transit Commission ordered specialty-engineered composite railroad switch ties from Axion International, the company said.
The Toronto Transit Commission (TTC), a public transport authority, operates buses, streetcars, subways and advanced light rapid transit in Toronto, Ontario.
Axion, in conjunction with Rutgers University, has developed plastics technology that uses almost 100 percent recycled […]

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Salt Lake City’s Utah Transit Authority (UTA) has ordered from Siemens 77 S70 light rail vehicles over a four-year period.
The $277 million contract surpasses the order volume from Siemens’ most recent win in Denver for 55 light rail vehicles and is UTA’s fourth order with Siemens. That brings the total number of […]

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Gary Bethel has been appointed as CSX’s Vice President-Mechanical, replacing Rich Regan, who will retire after 33 years of service.
Bethel has served as Atlanta Division manager and in other key operating positions. His appointment is effective immediately, and a new Atlanta Division manager will be named soon.
“Gary Bethel brings a wealth of […]

NORFOLK, Va. — Norfolk Southern Corp. and 10 New York-based short line railroads have created a program to convert short-haul truck movements to rail.
The “Empire Link” allows the short line railroads to market the excess rail freight capacity on NS’ Southern Tier main line between Binghamton and Silver Springs, N.Y., as well as on branch […]

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Homeland Security has awarded $380.1 million for transit security as part of its Infrastructure Protection Activities (IPA) grant program.
The grants will be used to prevent, protect against, respond to and recover from terrorist attacks, major disasters and other emergencies.
“With this year’s funding, the department will have provided roughly $3 […]

BOCA RATON, Fla. — Two Patriot Rail Corp. railroads won the prestigious 2007 “Jake” Safety Awards awarded by the American Short Line Railroad Association (ASLRRA) earlier this month.
The award, presented to short lines and […]