Commuter Rail – Page 60 – Railfanning.org

Woman Falls on Metro Tracks

January 20, 2009 Railfanning.org News Wire

WASHINGTON — A 68-year-old woman fell on the tracks at Washington Metro’s Gallery Place station on the red line on Jan. 20. Authorities initially said the woman was hit by a train, but later revised their account. After falling, the woman was taken to a hotpital and treated for non-life-threatening injuries. The woman’s fall comes during an extremely busy travel period on the Metro and more passengers than normal are using the subway system to attend the presidential inauguration. Hundreds of thousands of people attending the Inaugural Opening Ceremony at the Lincoln Memorial helped Metro set a new Sunday ridership

Metrorail Sets new Sunday Record for Ridership

January 20, 2009 Railfanning.org News Wire

WASHINGTON — Hundreds of thousands of people attending the Inaugural Opening Ceremony at the Lincoln Memorial helped Metro set a new Sunday ridership in the transit agency’s 32-year history on Sunday, Jan. 18. Riders took 616,324 trips, smashing the previous all-time high ridership day for a Sunday by 75,000 trips. Combined with 86,836 Metrobus trips, the Metro system carried about 703,000 trips. Yesterday’s high rail ridership also makes it the third highest overall weekend ridership day in Metro’s history. The highest weekend ridership day occurred on June 8, 1991, when 786,358 trips were recorded for a Desert Storm rally. The

OneRail Coalition: Encourage Transportation Policies that IncreaseMobility, Reduce Emissions, Promote Economic Growth

January 19, 2009 Railfanning.org News Wire

WASHINGTON — Environmental, freight and passenger rail groups have come together with reform-minded transportation experts to form a coalition that will advance rail programs. The coalition, called the OneRail Coalition, said it will encourage public policies recognizing rail as a critical element of the national transportation system and an essential part of the future economic growth and environmental well-being of the nation. Members include American Public Transportation Association, Amtrak, American Short Line & Regional Railroad Association, Association of American Railroads, Building America’s Future, National Association of Railroad Passengers, Natural Resources Defense Council, Railway Supply Institute, States for Passenger Rail Coalition,

Tickets Go on Sale for Atlantic City Express Service

January 18, 2009 Railfanning.org News Wire

ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. — The Atlantic City Express Service (ACES), offering the only direct train service between New York City and Atlantic City, announced that tickets are now available for weekend departures via www.acestrain.com or www.amtrak.com. Introductory ticket prices will start at $50 for a one-way coach seat and $75 for a one-way first class seat. Customers may also book the train’s lounge for four passengers with prices starting at $400. The ACES train will officially launch on Feb. 6. “We are excited to open ticketing to the public and welcome those eager to try this new option connecting two

Mica: U.S. Takes Next Step Toward High-Speed Passenger Rail

January 2, 2009 Railfanning.org News Wire

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Transportation has taken the next step in bringing true high-speed passenger rail to the United States, for the first time requesting private sector participation in the design, finance, construction, operation and maintenance of high-speed service, Rep. John L. Mica, R-Fla., said. “This is the most exciting development in U.S. passenger rail in years,” Mica said. “High-speed rail is an efficient, effective and environmentally friendly method of transportation, and a much-needed alternative to our congested highways and airspace.” Last month, the U.S. Department of Transportation will begin accepting expressions of interest to finance, design, build,

Six Restored Red Streetcars Roll

January 2, 2009 Railfanning.org News Wire

NEW ORLEANS — Six of the 24 candy-apple red Canal Street streetcars that fell victim to the floodwaters of Hurricane Katrina’s levee breaks are rolling down Canal Street, on North Carrollton Avenue to picturesque City Park, and along the majestic Mississippi Riverfront. On Dec. 12, the Regional Transit Authority held a re-dedication ceremony of the red streetcars Friday morning and when the ceremony concluded, the streetcars were put into revenue service. Mary E. Peters, Secretary, United States Department of Transportation, was among those enjoying the first ceremonial ride on the red streetcars. “In the case of New Orleans’ streetcars, seeing

Metro Tests Additional Eight-car Trains on the Blue, Orange and Red Lines Next Week

January 2, 2009 Railfanning.org News Wire

WASHINGTON — Washington’s Metro will test additional eight-car trains on the Blue, Orange and Red Lines and will stop all trains at the end of each station platform as a test of its ongoing power, system, track and rail car enhancements leading up to Inauguration Weekend. On Jan. 5 and Jan. 6, Metro will operate additional eight-car trains during morning and afternoon peak periods on the Blue and Orange lines. During the off-peak periods, all trains on the Blue and Orange lines will operate with eight-cars. On Jan. 7 and Jan. 8, Metro will repeat the same process on the

FRA Issues Record of Decision for the Replacement of 100 Year-Old Portal Bridge Over Hackensack River in New Jersey

December 31, 2008 Railfanning.org News Wire

WASHINGTON — The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) has issued a Record of Decision for the Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) for the Portal Bridge Capacity Enhancement Project over the Hackensack River, between Secaucus and Kearny, N.J. The FEIS, prepared in cooperation with Amtrak and New Jersey Transit, considered four build alternatives in addition to a No Action Alternative. The FRA has decided to proceed with the alternative which includes a three-track fixed northern bridge, a two-track moveable southern bridge built on a new southern alignment, and a track over track grade separation to eliminate crossover movements. This alternative is expected

FRA Issues Notice of Intent to Prepare EIS and EIR for High Speed Train System in California

December 31, 2008 Railfanning.org News Wire

The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) has issued a Notice of Intent that it will prepare the Environment Impact Statement (EIS) and project Environmental Impact Report (EIR) jointly with the California High Speed Rail Authority for the San Francisco to San Jose section of the California High Speed Train (HST) system. The preparation of the EIR/EIS will involve development of preliminary engineering designs and assessment of environmental effects associated with the construction, operation, and maintenance of the HST system, including track, ancillary facilities and stations. In 2005, FRA completed the first phase of the environmental review process when it approved the

STB to Hole Hearing on Passenger Rail Investment and Improvement Act of 2008

December 23, 2008 Railfanning.org News Wire

WASHINGTON — The Surface Transportation Board announced it will hold a public hearing on Feb. 11 to allow interested persons to comment on the Board’s new responsibilities in the recently passed Passenger Rail Investment and Improvement Act of 2008. The Act enhances the Board’s role in various types of disputes between the National Railroad Passenger Corporation (Amtrak), commuter rail operators, host railroads over which they operate, or States that seek to use Amtrak equipment or services with respect to cost allocations, quality of service, compensation, liability, and other terms for provision of service.