Commuter Rail – Page 71 – Railfanning.org

Man Faces Trial for Fatal Calif. Derailment

June 1, 2008 Railfanning.org News Wire

LOS ANGELES — A man authorities say is responsible for a fatal January 2005 Metrolink train wreck apologized for his actions, according to media reports. Juan Manuel Alvarez is on trial for first-degree murder and other charges. His trial could continue until July. Police initially said Alvarez parked his SUV on the Metrolink tracks with the intent of killing himself, but changed his mind, left his SUV on the tracks and watched the wreck unfold. However, prosecutors are challenging whether Alvarez was trying to commit suicide when he parked his SUV on the tracks and now say he may “have

Bloomberg Supports Mica’s High Speed Rail Plan

June 1, 2008 Railfanning.org News Wire

NEW YORK — New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg is supporting a Republican legislator’s plan to solicit proposals for high speed rail in the Northeast Corridor and other corridors around the nation. A plan from U.S. Rep. John L. Mica, R-Fla., “demonstrates the kind of ambitious, pragmatic thinking about our future,” Bloomberg said. “Investing in modern mass transportation is critical to New York’s future, and all options should be on the table. No idea should be ignored or dismissed simply because it is ambitious. That is not how America’s greatest infrastructure marvels — from the Brooklyn Bridge to the Grand

House Committee Approves Transit Bill

May 31, 2008 Railfanning.org News Wire

WASHINGTON — The House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure earlier this month approved a broad transit bill that aims to support public transportation agencies and increases incentives for commuters to choose transit options HR 6052, known as the “Saving Energy Through Public Transportation Act of 2008”, addresses the nation’s energy crisis by encouraging the growth of public transit, proponents say. “As the price of gas approaches $4 a gallon, more and more commuters are choosing to ride the train or the bus to work rather than drive alone in their cars,” said Rep. James L. Oberstar, D-Minn., chairman of the

N.J. Transit Moving to Extend Hudson-Bergen Light Rail Line

May 31, 2008 Railfanning.org News Wire

NEWARK, N.J. — N.J. Transit officials have awarded a contract for the final design and construction of a one-mile extension to the Hudson-Bergen Light Rail line. The transit’s board last month awarded a $58.4 million contract to George Harms Construction Inc. of Howell, N.J., for work to extend the light rail line to at 8th Street from its current southern terminus at 22nd Street. The extension includes the design and construction of foundations, viaduct structure, track work, intersection improvements, a new station, landscaping, lighting and customer amenities. “The Hudson-Bergen Light Rail line has been serving Waterfront communities since opening eight

Salt Lake City Orders 77 Light Rail Vehicles

May 31, 2008 Railfanning.org News Wire

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Salt Lake City’s Utah Transit Authority (UTA) has ordered from Siemens 77 S70 light rail vehicles over a four-year period. The $277 million contract surpasses the order volume from Siemens’ most recent win in Denver for 55 light rail vehicles and is UTA’s fourth order with Siemens. That brings the total number of Siemens vehicles for Salt Lake City to 117. “Utah is the fifth fastest growing state in the U.S. and the expansion of our rail system brings us closer to creating a more sustainable and less congested metro area for us and the next generation,”

Railroads Rack Up $380M in Federal Grants

May 31, 2008 Railfanning.org News Wire

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Homeland Security has awarded $380.1 million for transit security as part of its Infrastructure Protection Activities (IPA) grant program. The grants will be used to prevent, protect against, respond to and recover from terrorist attacks, major disasters and other emergencies. “With this year’s funding, the department will have provided roughly $3 billion in grants for securing the nation’s critical infrastructure and transportation systems,” Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff said. “As capabilities mature, we’re encouraging state and local governments and the private sector to prioritize IED prevention and protection, communications capabilities, information sharing, and regionally

California State Assembly Approves California High-Speed Rail Legislation

May 30, 2008 Railfanning.org News Wire

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — The California State Assembly has approved legislation that improves the existing California High Speed Train Bond Act by strengthening provisions for financial controls, environmental findings and construction implementation, officials said. The legislation was approved by a 60-3 margin. The technical amendments in the bill clarify construction and financing requirements for the $9.95 billion dollar bond measure, which will be on the November 2008 statewide ballot. The bill also prioritizes construction segments based on financial readiness and ability to leverage local, federal, and private funds. Prior to passage on the Assembly floor, two Assembly committees, Assembly Transportation and

MBTA Commuter Trains Collide, One Dead

May 29, 2008 Railfanning.org News Wire

NEWTON, Mass. — One person died and a dozen were injured after two Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority trains collided. The only fatality was the engineer of one of the trains. The employee had worked for MBTA for less than a year, according to media reports. According to reports, one train rammed into the rear of the other train, which was waiting at a red light. The National Transportation Safety Board dispatched a Go Team to investigate the collision. NTSB Rail Investigator Wayne Workman will serve as Investigator-in-Charge and lead the 7-member team.

MBTA Commuter Trains Collide

May 28, 2008 Railfanning.org News Wire

BOSTON — Two Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority trains collided near Newton, Mass. The National Transportation Safety Board is dispatching a Go Team to investigate the collision. NTSB Rail Investigator Wayne Workman will serve as Investigator-in-Charge and lead the 7-member team. Board Member Kitty Higgins will accompany the team and serve as spokesman for the on-scene investigation.

Rep.: High Gas Prices Help Rail Travel

May 23, 2008 Railfanning.org News Wire

WASHINGTON — Higher gas prices and congestion on the nation’s highways are helping to make railroads a more viable travel alternative, a congresswoman says. “Amtrak’s improved physical state and recent focus on customer service, along with increasing highway and airport congestion and rising gas prices, have made intercity passenger rail more popular and necessary than ever,” said Rep. Corrine Brown, D-Fla., chairwoman of the Subcommittee on Railroads, Pipelines, and Hazardous Materials. Congress’ Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure approved a bill to reauthorize Amtrak and improve intercity passenger rail. HR 6003, the Passenger Rail Investment and Improvement Act of 2008, authorizes