Commuter Rail – Page 62 – Railfanning.org

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

Man Killed at McPherson Square Metrorail Station Identified

March 15, 2009 Railfanning.org News Wire

WASHINGTON — A man who was struck and killed March 13 by a Blue Line train at the McPherson Square Metrorail station has been identified as Kurtland Johnson, 42, of Washington, D.C. Eyewitnesses reported that Johnson intentionally stepped in front of the train. Johnson, a Metrobus operator since September 2008, was on administrative leave pending the results of an internal investigation into a bus accident that occurred on March 6. It is standard procedure for Metro to conduct internal investigations after accidents or incidents involving Metro vehicles. On March 6, Johnson was driving Metrobus 3719 on the N8 route to the

N.J. Transit to Invest Federal ‘Stimulus’ Funds Statewide

March 13, 2009 Railfanning.org News Wire

NEWARK, N.J. — A little-known benefit for transit riders was promoted by N.J. Transit Executive Director Richard Sarles during his testimony before the Assembly Transportation Committee. The new federal stimulus law allows riders to double their savings on annual transportation costs by participating in workplace programs in which pre-tax wages are set aside to reimburse transit costs. Sarles also testified on an array of transit projects being accelerated with an estimated $424 million in American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) funds. Under the wage-withholding program for transit purchases, commuters can now have up to $230 per month withheld from their

Improved Train Flow, Enhanced Safety and Reduced Environmental Footprint Highlight Metra Union Pacific West Line Improvements

March 13, 2009 Railfanning.org News Wire

OMAHA, Neb. — Improved passenger and freight train flow, an enhanced safety design, and a reduced environmental footprint are among the benefits of the Metra Union Pacific west line improvement project. Work at the stations is scheduled to begin in March and conclude near the end of 2010. Metra service will not be disrupted while the project is under way. “These improvements will help create a more fluid railroad operation, decrease commuter and freight delays, and reduce motorist wait time at grade crossings,” said Phil Pagano, Metra executive director. “These upgrades address today’s west line rail traffic congestion issues and

N.J. Transit Outlines Stimulus-Funded Projects

March 13, 2009 Railfanning.org News Wire

NEWARK, N.J. — Funding under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) is accelerating seven transit projects in northern and central New Jersey that will build system capacity, extend accessibility and ensure service reliability for decades to come. Pending approval by the North Jersey Transportation Planning Authority on Friday, N.J. Transit will target a total of $342 million in ARRA funds at northern and central New Jersey projects, enabling N.J. Transit to get shovels in the ground in the coming months. These projects will complement an array of capital projects already underway throughout the region and will create and preserve

First ARC Contracts to be Advertised

March 12, 2009 Railfanning.org News Wire

NEWARK, N.J. — The ARC Mass Transit Tunnel is taking an important step toward boosting the New Jersey and regional economy this week with the advertisement of the project’s first contracts — including an underpass to be constructed beneath Tonnelle Avenue in North Bergen. The Tonnelle Avenue underpass contract, which will be released for bids on Friday, will be the first location to go to construction in New Jersey. The underpass will be adjacent to where the $8.7 billion project goes underground, allowing the MTT’s two new rail tracks to begin their descent under the Palisades Mountain. That contract is

NJT: Customers Can Double Their Savings on Transportation Costs

March 12, 2009 Railfanning.org News Wire

NEWARK, N.J. — N.J. Transit customers can now nearly double their savings on annual transportation costs by participating in workplace programs that allow pre-tax wages to be set aside for transit. The recently enacted federal stimulus bill immediately increases the amount of pre-tax wages that can be set aside for transit purchases to $230 per month, up from the former $120 limit. “This provides immediate and significant benefits to our customers,” said N.J. Transit Board Member Ken Pringle. “I applaud President Obama and Congress on this provision of the stimulus bill which encourages more commuters to take advantage of transit

N.J. Transit Looking for a Bailout

March 11, 2009 Railfanning.org News Wire

NEWARK, N. J. — Key N.J. Transit projects in southern New Jersey totaling $82 million are being accelerated as a result of American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) funding. The funds will generate and preserve jobs in the near-term and create assets that will benefit residents for years to come, including a new intermodal transfer station linking the River LINE with the Atlantic City Rail Line, and signal upgrades on the River LINE that enables more frequent service as well as lays the groundwork for a positive train control system. “This investment plan complies with the strict federal requirements for