Commuter Rail – Page 70 – Railfanning.org

U.S. DOT Pledges $1.3 Billion for Second Avenue Subway to Relieve New York City Commuters on Congested Lexington Avenue Line

November 25, 2007 Railfanning.org News Wire

WASHINGTON — The federal government is giving $1.3 billion in tax dollars for New York’s Second Avenue Subway line, which when completed, will help ease congestion for commuters in the nation’s biggest city, officials announced earlier this month. “It was bold ideas and big dreams that made New York City the place it is today, and it is ambitious projects like the Second Avenue Subway that will keep it that way,” said U.S. Secretary of Transportation Mary E. Peters, noting that this is the second largest transit investment the federal government has made. The Full Funding Grant Agreement (FFGA) gives

CTA Approves Contract to Replace Rail Ties

November 25, 2007 Railfanning.org News Wire

CHICAGO — The Chicago Transit Board this month approved a $26.6 million contract to replace deteriorating timber rail ties with concrete ties in the Red Line subway. The contract approved today will eliminate 2.5 miles of slow zones in both directions in the subway from Clark/Division to just north of North/Clybourn and just under a mile between Lake and Roosevelt. This is in addition to work currently underway to install concrete rail ties in the Red Line from Grand to Clark/Division. Trains are expected to return to normal speeds by the end of the month along that section of track.

Metro finds Cash Treasure by Selling Junk

November 25, 2007 Railfanning.org News Wire

WASHINGTON — One person’s junk is another person’s treasure, and the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority is bringing in big bucks by selling items that would otherwise end up in the trash. The transit agency made a record $1.3 million last year by selling old and damaged buses, outdated and unwanted parts, scrap metal and even used motor oil. Metro sold thousands of items last year through auctions, and online, walk-in and phone sales. “It’s a creative way to manage resources,” Metro General Manager John B. Catoe said. “Efforts like these are especially important at a time when we are

N.J. Transit Moves to End Locomotive Idling

November 25, 2007 Railfanning.org News Wire

NEWARK, N.J. — N.J. Transit is moving to a new policy that aims to significantly reduce diesel locomotive idling, Executive Director Richard Sarles said earlier this month. The new policy would be effective Jan. 1, 2008. Earlier this year, N.J. Transit ended locomotive idling above 40 degrees, but is expanding the policy to include temperatures down to zero degrees to further reduce noise, diesel fuel consumption and emissions. “Our new policy of turning off our locomotives to reduce idling will mean quieter rail yards and an improved quality of life for the communities we serve,” Sarles said. N.J. Transit has

N.J. Transit Plans Meetings to Discuss West Trenton Line

November 25, 2007 Railfanning.org News Wire

NEWARK, N.J. — N.J. Transit is planning a pair of public meetings to discuss a proposal to restore passenger rail service on the West Trenton Line. The proposed 27-mile line would link the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) West Trenton Station in Ewing (Mercer County) to N.J. Transit’s Raritan Valley Line in Bridgewater (Somerset County). Service on the Raritan Valley Line continues to Newark Penn Station. New stations are proposed in Ewing, Hopewell Township, Hopewell Borough, Montgomery and Hillsborough. The line would provide additional transportation options in central New Jersey and promote Smart Growth planning and land-use principles near the

Virginia Railway Express Receives FRA RRIF Loan for New Railcars

November 24, 2007 Railfanning.org News Wire

WASHINGTON — Virginia Railway Express, a commuter railroad operating in northern Virginia, is receiving a $72.5 million loan from the Federal Railroad Administration to finance a portion of the cost of acquiring 50 new bi-level passenger railcars. The new equipment will allow VRE to replace old railcars, increase the size of its fleet, add seating capacity to each railcar and improve service for its riders, officials said. The state of Virginia is providing an additional $20 million. VRE is the first commuter rail operator to receive a loan under FRA’s Railroad Rehabilitation & Improvement Financing (RRIF) loan program.

Northstar Commuter Rail Receives $55 Million Earmark in Congressional Conference Report

November 16, 2007 Railfanning.org News Wire

ANOKA, Minn. — Northstar Commuter Rail leaders said they were pleased to hear this week that the conference report for the fiscal year 2008 federal transportation appropriations bill recommends $55 million for Northstar construction. Of the 40 new rail projects in the report, Northstar ranked 10th highest in total recommended dollars. “Northstar’s ranking in the bill demonstrates how important this project is to our country’s transportation system,” said Dan Erhart, chair of the Northstar Corridor Development Authority (NCDA). “We have our Congressional delegation to thank for this good news, primarily Senators Norm Coleman and Amy Klobuchar, and Representatives Jim Oberstar

CTA: Service Reductions, Fare Increases on the Horizon

November 15, 2007 Railfanning.org News Wire

CHICAGO — The Chicago Transit Board earlier this month approved a 2008 budget that includes significant service reductions, fare increases and layoffs in order to bridge a projected $158 million “shortfall.” At the same time, board members said they hoped the Illinois General Assembly can reach agreement on a transit funding package to avoid the fare increases and service reductions. Effective Jan. 20, 2008, the CTA will eliminate 81 of its 154 bus routes; lay off more than 2,400 employees; and raise fares to record levels, officials said. In addition, the CTA will close three of its eight garages. Fares

D.C. Metro Sets Six Public Hearings on Fare Increases

November 1, 2007 Railfanning.org News Wire

Six public hearings in the District of Columbia, suburban Maryland and Northern Virginia will be held on Nov. 13, 14 and 15 to receive the public’s input on proposed fare increases for Metrorail, Metrobus and parking that would take effect in January. All of the hearings will begin at 7 p.m. There will be an open-house held at 6:30 p.m. before each hearing. The hearing dates and locations are as follows: Tuesday, Nov. 13 at the Bechtel Conference Center, 1801 Alexander Bell Drive, Reston, VA (hearing number 525) Wednesday, Nov. 14 at Metro headquarters in the Jackson Graham Building, 600

N.J. Transit Previews New Pascack Valley Line

November 1, 2007 Railfanning.org News Wire

RIVER EDGE, N.J. — Various railroad and elected officials recently took a whistle-stop tour aboard a Pascack Valley Line (PVL) train to announce expanded service featuring 121 additional trains per week – including full weekend service for the first time in more than 60 years. “As a Bergen County resident, I know firsthand the difficulties residents face on our crowded roadways,” N.J. Transit Board Member Susan Hayes said. “The new trains mean Bergen County residents will have new travel options during the middle of the day, on weekends and late at night, creating a better match between service and demand.”