Commuter Rail – Page 48 – Railfanning.org

VRE Says Keolis Not Ready to Take Over Service

May 31, 2010 Railfanning.org News Wire

WASHINGTON – Keolis Rail Services will not be ready to take over operations of the Virginia Railway Express (VRE) commuter rail service on its contractual start date of June 28, VRE CEO Dale Zehner said in a meeting with Amtrak President and CEO Joseph Boardman.

FRA: Nearly $80 Million in High-Speed Rail Funds Delivered to States

May 28, 2010 Railfanning.org News Wire

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Transportation announced that nearly $80 million in grants have been delivered to states as part of President Obama’s high-speed and intercity passenger rail program.

MTA Finalizes Hudson Yards Deal

May 26, 2010 Railfanning.org News Wire

NEW YORK — The Metropolitan Transportation Authority has entered into a contract with a joint venture of Related Companies and new partner Oxford Properties Group for the development of the MTA’s Hudson Yards into a mixed-use community that will include 12 million square feet of commercial and residential development.

California High-Speed Rail Authority Seeks New Federal Funds

May 26, 2010 Railfanning.org News Wire

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — The California High-Speed Rail Authority has submitted three planning grant applications that could provide as much as $16.6 million in additional federal funding for the state’s high-speed train project.

MTA Launches Second Avenue Subway Tunnel Boring Machine

May 22, 2010 Railfanning.org News Wire

NEW YORK — The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) earlier this month launched the tunnel boring machine that will dig the first phase of the Second Avenue Subway. The 485-ton, 450-foot-long machine will dig through approximately 50 feet of Manhattan bedrock per day as it completes two runs from 92nd Street to 63rd Street by November 2011.

MTA Targets Overtime for Cost Savings

May 22, 2010 Railfanning.org News Wire

NEW YORK — The MTA has announced plans to significantly reduce its overtime costs, with savings of more than $20 million in 2010 and $60 million annually starting in 2011.

Pennsylvania Applies for $1.6 Million for High-Speed Rail Planning Study

May 22, 2010 Railfanning.org News Wire

HARRISBURG, Pa. — Pennsylvania has applied for a $1.6 million federal grant from the High-Speed Intercity Passenger Rail Program to study possible expansion of rail service between Ohio and New York State through Erie, Gov. Edward G. Rendell said.

Northeast States and Amtrak Seek Improved Rail Service from Washington to Boston

May 21, 2010 Railfanning.org News Wire

WASHINGTON – Eleven Northeast states from Maine to Maryland, with close support from Amtrak and the Coalition of Northeastern Governors (CONEG), announced the submission of a multi-state proposal requesting that the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) lead a planning effort to further define the role that intercity and high-speed passenger rail can play in helping improve the region’s transportation network, expand capacity, relieve highway and aviation congestion, and stimulate sustainable economic growth along the Northeast Corridor (NEC).

State Rail Coalition Asks Congress to Provide Strong Support for Passenger Rail in 2011

May 18, 2010 Railfanning.org News Wire

WASHINGTON — Saying the states are ready to move forward aggressively to improve the nation’s rail system, the States for Passenger Rail Coalition is calling on Congress to fund passenger rail projects and programs generously in 2011.

Federal Transportation Officials Seek Public Input on First Ever National Rail Plan

May 17, 2010 Railfanning.org News Wire

WASHINGTON — Dates and locations of public outreach meetings to solicit input toward the development of the nation’s first National Rail Plan were announced by the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA).