2009 – Page 47 – Railfanning.org

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

February 3, 2009 Railfanning.org News Wire

NEW YORK — MTA New York City Transit released the results from the 2nd Annual Rider Report Card Survey, and the E line again received an overall grade of “D-plus,” unchanged from 2007. However, the customer satisfaction index of 81 percent was three percentage points lower that 2007’s 84 percent. Customers sent in a total of 4,511 Rider Report Card responses – 4,280 by mail and 231 via the internet – gauging customer satisfaction on the line. Once again, 21 separate service attributes were graded on the E line, which runs from the World Trade Center to Jamaica Center-Parsons/Archer at

Customers Give MTA Metro-North Railroad Record High Ratings

February 3, 2009 Railfanning.org News Wire

NEW YORK — Overall customer satisfaction with MTA Metro-North Railroad in its largest market (inbound customers traveling on its Hudson, Harlem and New Haven Lines) climbed to 94 percent in 2008, setting a record high for the second year in a row. In addition, it marked the fourth consecutive year that customer satisfaction has increased according to Metro-North’s annual customer satisfaction survey. The survey is conducted each Fall and is jointly sponsored by the railroad and its partners – the Connecticut Department of Transportation, the Metro-North Rail Commuter Council and the Connecticut Metro-North New Haven Rail Commuter Council. Fully half

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

Amtrak Board Names Thomas Carper of Illinois as Chairman

February 3, 2009 Railfanning.org News Wire

WASHINGTON – At its regularly scheduled meeting Jan. 29, Amtrak’s Board of Directors unanimously agreed to name Thomas Carper of Illinois as Chairman of the Board. Carper, who has served in various Illinois state and local government positions, including Mayor of the City of Macomb, has been a director on the Amtrak board since March 2008. At the same meeting former Chairman Donna McLean was named Vice Chairman, replacing Hunter Biden, who remains as a board member. “Everything we have done as a board, we’ve done as a unified body, and this change in our hierarchy is no exception,” Carper

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