Commuter Rail

Commuter Rail

N.J. Transit approves FY 2014 budget with no fare increase

August 14, 2013 Railfanning.org News Wire
NEWARK, N.J. — The N.J. Transit Board of Directors last month approved a Fiscal Year 2014 operating budget that calls for no fare increase for the fourth consecutive fiscal year. The budget also includes a capital program to supports continued investments in infrastructure and equipment to maintain the system in a state of good repair and improve the overall customer experience. “This budget will enable us to maintain and enhance New Jersey’s robust transportation system while responding to the needs of the customers who rely on our service to conduct life’s daily business,” N.J. Transit Executive Director James Weinstein said
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Amtrak

Central Florida’s SunRail scheduled to open next year

July 26, 2013 Todd DeFeo
ORLANDO, Fla. – Work on Central Florida’s first commuter rail line is progressing, and the line is expected to open by next year. Work to convert the corridor for use by SunRail remains ongoing and the headway is quite apparent. For example, new platforms are nearing completion at the Amtrak stations in Orlando and Winter Park; the stations will continue to serve the national passenger railroad once SunRail starts operations. As part of the 12-stop, 32-mile first phase, trains will operate between DeBary, north of Orlando’s city center, and Sand Lake Road in Orlando. When the second phase opens in
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Commuter Rail

CTA Upgrades Green Line with $20 Million of Station, Track Improvements

April 11, 2013 Railfanning.org News Wire
CHICAGO — The Chicago Transit Authority said it is investing nearly $20 million in railroad track and station improvements to the southern Green Line. The projects will prepare the Green Line to handle an increase in passengers related to the five-month reconstruction of the Red Line South beginning in May, and will benefit Green Line customers for the long term with increased service reliability and fewer delays. Improvements that have been made or will be completed by May include improvements and temporary expansion of two Green Line stations, Garfield and Ashland/63rd, and significant track and signal work beginning south of
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Commuter Rail

Washington Metro to Advance ‘Model Station’ of the Future

April 11, 2013 Railfanning.org News Wire
WASHINGTON — Metro announced a plan to test potential future station concepts at Bethesda Station. As part of its strategic plan, Momentum, the model station will enable Metro to test several design concepts in a single station, with improved lighting, better information and improved customer convenience. As an underground station with a center platform design, Bethesda represents the hardest type of station to illuminate, making it an ideal location for the “model station” pilot. Some of the concepts being considered include high-output light fixtures to direct light to the vault ceiling; a new, anti-slip zone located at the bottom of
Commuter Rail

Feds Allocates $390 Million to Reimburse Transit Agencies in New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania Recovering from Hurricane Sandy

March 9, 2013 Railfanning.org News Wire
U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood announced the allocation of nearly $390 million in FY 2013 Disaster Relief Appropriations Act funds to reimburse the New York Metropolitan Transit Authority (MTA) and the Port Authority Trans-Hudson Corp. (PATH). The Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) received a smaller reimbursement for expenses incurred while preparing for and recovering from Hurricane Sandy. The Disaster Relief Appropriations Act authorized a total of $10.9 billion, which is now reduced by 5 percent, or $545 million, because of the mandatory budget cuts known as sequestration that took effect on March 1. “When Hurricane Sandy devastated public transportation systems
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Commuter Rail

LaHood: $75 Million to Extend Light Rail in Arizona

November 29, 2012 Railfanning.org News Wire
U.S. Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood last month announced a $75 million grant from the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) to build a 3.1-mile light rail extension connecting the city with Phoenix and Tempe. LaHood was joined at the event by Congressman Ed Pastor, Mesa Mayor Scott Smith, Phoenix Mayor Greg Stanton, FTA Administrator Peter Rogoff and local officials. “The Obama Administration is committed to bringing more public transportation choices to fast-growing cities like Mesa,” LaHood said. “By investing in this light rail project, we are helping thousands of workers, seniors, students and others in Maricopa County connect with jobs, medical