November 6, 200915 yr Author Dulles Metrorail project update Thursday, November 05, 2009 Beneath a busy interchange on top of the highest point in Tysons Corner, Va., crews are mining a tunnel that will carry the Dulles Corridor Metrorail tracks from Route 123 to Route 7. Working two 12-hour shifts per day, crews began tunnel construction, using the New Austrian Tunneling Method to mine the first of two tunnels, the outbound segment. Construction will start on the inbound tunnel in the coming months. The tunnels when completed will be 2,400-feet long. Construction is not visible to drivers because it is behind a crew fence along Route 123 near International Drive. READ MORE AT: http://www.rtands.com/newsflash/dulles-metrorail-project-update.html "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
November 6, 200915 yr Author VRE spurns Amtrak challenge on operator choice Thursday, November 05, 2009 Virginia Railway Express officials have denied Amtrak's challenge to a plan to have an international company operate the commuter rail service's trains. Amtrak is contesting VRE's plan to award a five-year, $85 million contract to Keolis Rail Services America to operate VRE trains, succeeding Amtrak, which held the operations contract for 17 years. Keolis would assume operations next July. READ MORE AT: http://www.railwayage.com/breaking-news/vre-spurns-amtrak-challenge-on-operator-choice.html "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
November 12, 200915 yr TriMet: MAX light-rail ridership rises, but total trips fall in October In October, the Tri-County Metropolitan Transportation District of Oregon (TriMet) registered 8.8 million rail and bus trips, down 4.8 percent compared with October 2008, when the agency set a ridership record. The ongoing sluggish economy and a double-digit unemployment rate continued to impact ridership, according to TriMet. Weekly MAX light-rail, WES commuter-rail and bus trips totaled 2 million, down 3.1 percent. Overall weekday trips declined 3.7 percent to 328,300, weekend trips dipped 0.3 percent to 359,900 and rush-hour trips fell 7.1 percent to 104,800. More at: http://www.progressiverailroading.com/news/article.asp?id=21971
November 12, 200915 yr Maryland county seeks second light rail line Railway Age Magazine A majority of Montgomery County Council officials in Maryland Tuesday endorsed a second light rail transit proposal for the Corridor Cities Transitway from Shady Grove to Clarksburg, opting for LRT over a Bus Rapid Transit alternative. The LRT plan is part of a transportation package to improve transport flow along I-270 in the county, which lies northwest of Washington, D.C. It includes widening the Interstate north of Route 124 from its current three-lane capacity in each direction. Full story at: http://www.railwayage.com/breaking-news/maryland-county-seeks-second-light-rail-line.html
November 13, 200915 yr Author I think the lesson from this is, unless they nuked the city, there's always a second chance, and a third chance, and a..... Florida legislators close to SunRail deal Thursday, November 12, 2009 After two embarrassing defeats, the SunRail commuter train could be on the verge of winning approval in the Florida state Legislature, according to the Orlando Sentinel. Supporters are lining up votes and drafting a bill for a special session that could be held in Tallahassee during the week of Dec. 7. Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer said he is "extremely optimistic" about the chances of passage for the $1.2-billion project that would link DeLand in Volusia County with downtown Orlando and Poinciana in Osceola County. Though no SunRail backers will publicly say they have a done deal, they are confident of getting more than the 21 votes needed to win in the 40-member Senate. READ MORE AT: http://www.rtands.com/newsflash/florida-legislators-close-to-sunrail-deal.html "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
November 13, 200915 yr Author And another Sun Belt city that faced delays is moving forward..... Austin begins afternoon tests for much-delayed MetroRail November 12, 2009 Austin, Tex.’s Capital Metropolitan Transportation Authority says it will begin testing its Stadler diesel multiple-unit (DMU) cars (previously categorized by the agency as diesel light rail transit, or DLRT) as early as next week. CapMetro has tested the equipment over its 32-mile rail route throughout 2009 primarily during morning hours, even as its opening date has been repeatedly delayed, but this marks the first testing during afternoons. Trains will be running on simulated schedules comparable to what CapMetro will use when service begins sometime in 2010, with a March target the current plan. READ MORE AT: http://www.railwayage.com/breaking-news/austin-begins-afternoon-tests-for-much-delayed-metrorail.html "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
November 13, 200915 yr Not sure if this is the correct thread, but anyway.... The National Geographic Channel had an episode of "Ultimate Factories" last night, in which they explored the manufacture of an R160 New York City subway car from start to finish. It's worth watching if you have an interest in trains or transit. According to the show's website, the next time this episode will air is November 15th at 2:00 AM, so be sure to set your TiVo or DVR.
November 13, 200915 yr November 13, 2009 The Los Angeles Times Schwarzenegger quietly quashed effort to improve commuter rails The governor ordered officials to seek federal money only for the proposed bullet train between San Francisco and San Diego. Rail advocates say the commuter line upgrades should take priority. Reporting from Sacramento and Los Angeles - Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger quietly spiked an effort last month to win $1.1 billion in federal high-speed rail stimulus funds for 29 projects to improve the safety, speed and capacity of heavily traveled commuter corridors through Southern California. Instead, he ordered state officials to seek money for only one project -- the proposed bullet train between San Francisco and San Diego. The governor's decision was intended to increase the state's chances of receiving high-speed rail money, officials said. California is competing with more than 40 applicants from 23 other states. More at: http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-rail13-2009nov13,0,6550006.story
November 16, 200915 yr Metro-North, Amtrak and TransLink start or complete station projects Progressiverailroading.com On Friday, MTA Metro-North Railroad held a groundbreaking ceremony for the Cortlandt Station project, which calls for expanding the facility, extending a pedestrian overpass and building a new western parking lot. The pedestrian overpass will include a new elevator, enclosed staircase, 220-square-foot waiting area, and 240-square-foot concession and ground-level vending area. To be completed in November 2011, the $34.7 million project also will include canopy-covered walkways, a new parking pay station, an additional heated shelter and new lighting. More at: http://www.progressiverailroading.com/news/article.asp?id=21990
November 16, 200915 yr Minnesota's new NorthStar commuter rail service begins running today. Check out the website and map (Courtesy of Metro Transit): http://www.metrotransit.org/Northstar/index.asp Press Release FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Nov. 14, 2009 COMMUNITIES CELEBRATE ARRIVAL OF NORTHSTAR LINE; DAILY COMMUTER RAIL SERVICE BEGINS MONDAY MINNEAPOLIS – (Nov. 14) – Citizens gathered at six locations today to celebrate the arrival of Northstar commuter rail service and to get an advance taste of what train travel will be like when Northstar begins daily operations on Monday. Public events were held at Northstar’s six stations – Big Lake, Elk River, Anoka, Coon Rapids-Riverdale, Fridley and Target Field in downtown Minneapolis. The celebrations, organized by the local communities, featured speeches, entertainment, displays and information on how-to-ride public transportation. As many as 700 people from each of the five suburban stations then boarded trains headed nonstop to Target Field Station to sample Northstar service in advance of Monday’s launch of regular operations. At Target Field Station, guests viewed the easy connection to the Hiawatha light-rail line, which has been extended four blocks to serve Northstar, as well as nearby connections to regional bus service and the Minneapolis skyway system. The Target Field Station event included Northstar train tours and focused on the importance of rail service to the Twin Cities through the years. “It was a pleasure to welcome the general public on-board Northstar trains for the first time today,” said Metro Transit General Manager Brian Lamb. “We have been testing trains intensively every day for the last month. We are eager to start running trains full of daily commuters.” In his remarks at Target Field Station, Metropolitan Council Chair Peter Bell said: “We’re thrilled that the Northstar Line is now reality in the Met Council’s vision for public transportation in the region. That vision includes more rail services, bus rapid transit and even more robust local and express bus operations. Northstar is an important element in the Council’s plan for a network of bus and rail transitways to serve heavily traveled corridors. By 2014, we will have completed six transitways totaling 115 miles in length, as we build a transit system for today – and for tomorrow.” Also at the Target Field Station event, Hennepin County Commissioner Peter McLaughlin, who chairs the Counties Transit Improvement Board, spoke of his vision of creating near the ballpark the Minneapolis Transportation Interchange. The facility “will solidify Minneapolis as a hub for smart transportation options that will move people and businesses more efficiently with more light rail, commuter rail and intercity rail services.” Speaking at Big Lake, Anoka County Commissioner Dan Erhart, who chairs the Northstar Corridor Development Authority, credited the persistence of a grassroots community effort with transitioning Northstar from a dream to reality. “We recognize and thank the thousands of people, more than 30 government entities and state and federal policymakers that worked hard over the past 12 years so that we could be here today to say: All aboard Northstar.” Beginning Monday, Northstar will offer five morning trips from Big Lake, Minn., to downtown Minneapolis and five return trips in the afternoon along a 40-mile corridor adjacent to congested highways 10 and 47. One reverse commute roundtrip also will be offered on weekdays, and three weekend roundtrips are planned on Saturdays and Sundays. Each train trip will consist of a locomotive and four passenger cars, with each car seating about 140 customers. Passenger cars have three seating levels, work tables, electrical outlets and an on-board restroom. Each car can accommodate two bicycles and is fully accessible for persons with disabilities. Each suburban station has adjacent park-and-ride facilities, and platforms are equipped with cameras, emergency telephones, enclosed shelters, heating and other amenities. Connecting bus service will be available at four suburban stations, including Northstar Link coach buses, which will provide service to commuters between St. Cloud and the Northstar train station at Big Lake. Fares for Northstar commuter rail service range from $3.25 to $7 each way depending on the distance traveled. Fares are lower on weekends. Customers using Metro Transit Go-To Cards get a 10 percent bonus with their purchases. (For example, $11 if fare value for $10.) Northstar Link commuter coach service, operated by St. Cloud Metro Bus, will offer an introductory fare of $1. The $317 million Northstar project was designed and constructed by the Minnesota Department of Transportation. It is owned by the Met Council and managed by Metro Transit, an operating division of the Council. Customers boarded Metro Transit buses and trains nearly 82 million times in 2008, the highest annual ridership in 27 years.
November 19, 200915 yr Author Lessons for other North American cities and regions?.... Metrolinx, TTC explore 3P approach for three projects Metrolinx and the Toronto Transit Commission are reaching out to the private sector for possible design-build-finance approaches to advance three rail projects. TTC would operate and maintain the new lines, eschewing half of the “DBOM” (design-build-operate-maintain) approach, but the agency duo still seeks to employ a private-public partnership to expedite construction. Projects being considered for such an approach by Metrolinx and TTC include the new Finch Avenue light rail line, rehabilitation (or possible rail modal conversion) of the Scarborough rapid transit line, and construction of the Eglinton Crosstown line. READ MORE AT: http://www.railwayage.com/breaking-news/metrolinx-ttc-explore-3p-approach-for-three-projects.html "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
November 19, 200915 yr Author Florida governor “optimistic” on SunRail service Florida Gov. Charlie Crist said Tuesday he's "hopefully optimistic" state legislators will support the latest effort to establish SunRail passenger rail service. Crist has maintained support for the proposal despite its repeated defeats in the state legislature, the latest occurring in late spring. READ MORE AT: http://www.railwayage.com/breaking-news/florida-governor-optimistic-on-sunrail-service.html "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
November 19, 200915 yr Author Busy day in other cities.... Trio of streetcars finally bound for nation’s capital Washington, D.C. may finally see its three Czech-built Inekon streetcars within the district’s borders, four years after it ordered the cars for intended use on its Anacostia streetcar line, now finally entering initial stages of construction in the district’s southeastern quadrant. READ MORE AT: http://www.railwayage.com/breaking-news/trio-of-streetcars-finally-bound-for-nation-s-capita.html "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
November 23, 200915 yr Author Here's a couple of East Coast projects..... Amtrak continuing major projects in New York City area Friday, November 20, 2009 Amtrak is making major investments in the New York area to bring its bridges, tracks and other infrastructure up to a state of good repair, increase track speeds and improve operations, including a soon-to-start $10-million project to rehabilitate the Pelham Bay Bridge located along the Northeast Corridor. READ MORE AT: http://www.rtands.com/newsflash/amtrak-continuing-major-projects-in-new-york-city-area.html SEPTA moves ahead on extending R3 rail line Friday, November 20, 2009 SEPTA took another step toward restoring rail service to Wawa in Delaware County with approval yesterday of nine property easements necessary for the construction, the Philadelphia Inquirer reports. READ MORE AT: http://www.rtands.com/newsflash/septa-moves-ahead-on-extending-r3-rail-line.html "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
November 23, 200915 yr Author I post this Pittsburgh article without comment. I'm others here will supply it!..... $80.7 M sought for bus network Port Authority asks for stimulus aid for rail-like system Monday, November 23, 2009 By Jon Schmitz, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette The 6.8-mile HealthLine in Cleveland is a bus route pretending to be a light-rail line. The sleek, extra-long silver buses, with a capacity of 100 seated and standing riders, are of a different design than the city's other buses and travel the Euclid Avenue corridor in dedicated lanes with separate traffic signals that give them priority over cars. Passengers pay their fares at 58 stations along the route, before boarding. The service operates around-the-clock, and LED message boards in the stations alert riders to the next bus arrival. The faster, cleaner and more frequent service, which debuted a year ago, has cut a formerly 30-minute ride to 18 minutes, boosted ridership nearly 50 percent and sparked $4 billion in investment in the corridor, according to the Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority. Port Authority and Allegheny County officials are hoping to develop a similar system here to speed travel and spark development between Downtown and Oakland and in the Mon Valley. Read more at: http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/09327/1015656-455.stm#ixzz0XhoBaNLY "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
November 25, 200915 yr Author A special lawmaking session on passenger rail? Boy, these guys must really be hot for federal HSR stimulus funds.... Tri-Rail fund shortfall could end soon Tuesday, November 24, 2009 A special lawmaking session on high-speed and commuter rail inched closer as legislative leaders and the governor said they are ready to tap surplus money in the transportation budget rather than raise taxes on rental cars to help pay for the transit projects, the Miami Herald reports. The surplus money -- about $76 million over the next two years -- should be enough to help fill a hole in South Florida's Tri-Rail system. Also, opposition to Central Florida's SunRail project started to thaw in the Florida Senate, where the transit system could now be one vote shy of winning passage, according to a Herald/Times vote count. Federal transportation officials have told Florida officials that the state needs to do a better job supporting Tri-Rail and SunRail to increase the state's chances of winning up to $2.5 billion in federal money for a high-speed rail project. READ MORE AT: http://www.rtands.com/newsflash/tri-rail-fund-shortfall-could-end-soon.html "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
November 27, 200915 yr Author The TTC's coming day of fiscal reckoning Posted: November 21, 2009 By Allison Hanes, National Post Filled to the brim with dignitaries, a Toronto Transit Commission bus pulled up to the main quad at York University yesterday on the inaugural run of a new rapid bus line. The nearly $40-million dedicated route, which will cut a 30-minute trip from the Spadina subway terminus to campus by half for 30,000 riders, is the TTC’s latest major expansion – and will be followed by extension of the subway to York’s campus within six years. Toronto is undergoing an unprecedented and long-overdue growth spurt. More than $10-billion is being spent not only on new subway lines but new subway cars, a new fleet of streetcars and new dedicated streetcar lines that comprise the TTC’s Transit City light rail network. There’s just one problem. There’s no money to operate all the new buses, trains and streetcars. In fact there’s not enough money to operate the system now, the TTC revealed this week, as it enacted the largest fare hike in a decade to cope with a $106-million shortfall in 2010, and said more such increases will be necessary unless the province steps up with stable, long-term funding. Read more: http://network.nationalpost.com/np/blogs/toronto/archive/2009/11/21/the-ttc-s-coming-day-of-fiscal-reckoning.aspx#ixzz0Y5ZtrnPO "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
November 30, 200915 yr News release from the California Capitol Corridors Joints Powers Authority Capitol Corridor Teams up to Unveil the Cleanest Passenger Locomotive in the Nation November 20, 2009 OAKLAND, CA – On Tuesday, November 17, 2009, Capitol Corridor joined the Bay Area Air Quality Management District and its partners to mark the beginning of cleaner diesel technology on California railways. The clean air partners held an event to introduce locomotive # 2015, the cleanest passenger locomotive in the nation. “This event is historic for two reasons: upgrading locomotive 2015 has made it the lowest emitting diesel passenger locomotive in the nation and this is the first time non-transportation dollars were used to invest into intercity passenger rail equipment,” said Capitol Corridor Joint Powers Authority Managing Director David Kutrosky. The new engine will operate between Sacramento and the Bay Area along the Capitol Corridor route as well as though the Central Valley on the San Joaquin route. Many locomotives that travel through the Bay Area are powered by older, inefficient diesel engines that lack advanced pollution controls. Upgrading these engines to current emission standards can cut pollution by approximately 45 percent. “This repowered locomotive will greatly improve air quality and health in communities located along busy rail lines,” said Jack Broadbent, executive officer of the Air District. “It sets a new benchmark for cleaner passenger rail throughout California.” In 2008, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency tightened locomotive engine standards for all diesel line-haul, passenger and switch engines throughout the United States. Combined with cleaner fuels and tighter emissions standards, these rules will reduce particulate matter emissions by 90 percent, and oxides of nitrogen by 80 percent, by 2030. Cleaner transit technology also helps in the fight against climate change–using public transit instead of driving is one of the most effective ways an individual can help reduce their carbon footprint. “When you ride a Capitol Corridor train, your trip produces one third of the pollution that is emitted when you drive your car, and this retrofitted locomotive will make your trip even cleaner,” Bay Area Air District and Capitol Corridor Joint Powers Authority Board Member Jim Spering said. “Getting drivers off the road and aboard trains is a big factor in the clean air equation. And operating cutting-edge technology—like fuel efficient, clean locomotives—is a necessary part of the green solution” Funding of $826,000 was provided by the Bay Area Air District, the Sacramento Metro Air District and the US EPA. “The Sacramento Metropolitan Air Quality Management District is pleased to continue its partnership with the Bay Area to bring more clean locomotives to the Capitol Corridor. This is an important investment in the health of citizens all along this successful route,” said Sacramento Air District Executive Director Larry Greene. http://www.amtrakcapitols.com/news/whats-new/capitol-corridor-teams-up-to-unveil-the-cleanest-passenger/
December 1, 200915 yr Atwater takes over the train Posted: 6:51 p.m. Monday, Nov. 30, 2009 Florida Senate President Jeff Atwater is on to something when he argues for shifting the state's transportation network from an obsession with roads to an investment in rail. In a memo that went out Monday, Sen. Atwater, R-North Palm Beach, calls for a reappraisal of rail in Florida's future. He goes beyond questions about commuter rail that the Legislature must answer to give Florida a place in a national high-speed rail competition. Since the special session on rail begins Thursday, however, the Legislature will consider this broad, new idea on a very tight schedule. House Speaker Larry Cretul, R-Yulee, said Monday that there is "an agreement in principle" between the House and Senate, and envisioned the Legislature finishing work on the bill by next Wednesday. Find this article at: http://www.palmbeachpost.com/opinion/editorials/atwater-takes-over-the-train-92021.html
December 1, 200915 yr Author That's pretty remarkable. Wonder if we could get this guy to contact Ohio Senator Tom Patton and help him get some "religion." "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
December 1, 200915 yr Two words: "conference call". Meanwhile.... press release from New Mexico's Rail-Runner http://www.nmrailrunner.com/news_bernalillo_county_station_plan.asp Bernalillo County Approves New Vision for Area Near South Valley Rail Runner Station Rail Runner Will Provide Focal Point for Mixed-use District Offering a Broad Range of Jobs, Housing Types and Destinations (Bernalillo County, NM – November 25, 2009) – With the New Mexico Rail Runner Express bringing a steady flow of commuters in and out of the station at Rio Bravo and south Second Street, the Bernalillo County / International Sunport Rail Runner station is poised to play an important role in the future of the South Valley. The Bernalillo County Commission last night unanimously adopted the “Bernalillo County / International Sunport Station Area Plan” which is designed to help the area transform into a mixed-use area offering local and regional employment and retail opportunities, housing, and other amenities. “The Rail Runner introduces a range of new opportunities for the South Valley”, says Lawrence Rael, Executive Director of the Mid-Region Council of Governments. “In addition to providing a much-needed transportation alternative for South Valley residents with direct connections to Downtown and to Santa Fe, the Rail Runner makes the area more attractive to high quality residential, retail and office uses. Achieving these new opportunities necessitates rethinking the infrastructure investments in the area – basically, what roads are built and how they are designed – what land uses are permitted by the area’s zoning, and how the new buildings are designed. The Station Area Plan defines these new directions and indicates the County’s commitment to the new future for the area.” “The Station Area Plan is the product of the efforts and cooperation by business and property owners in the South Valley, Bernalillo County, the Mid-Region Council of Governments, and residents who live in the area. The plan presents an exciting new future for the area” said Bernalillo County Commissioner Art de la Cruz, whose district includes the land covered by the plan. The plan focuses on the area within a quarter-to-half-mile – basically, walking distance – from the station. The area’s large parcels of vacant land will provide a center of neighborhood serving retail and employment space, which will be designed to encourage walking to and from the Rail Runner and other transit connections. The plan brings with it an elective alternative zoning classification that allows mixed uses, higher density, and development standards to create a pedestrian environment. The plan also defines specific improvements – such as pedestrian and bike paths – that will help the station better serve existing residents and businesses in the Mountain View neighborhood. The planning effort was a collaborative effort by Bernalillo County and the Mid-Region Council of Governments. MRCOG has actively worked with communities along the Rail Runner corridor to help identify economic and land use opportunities near the Rail Runner station and to plan for infrastructure and policy actions to help achieve the visions for the areas. Sketch of planned development:
December 2, 200915 yr Author Here's a few items: two from the state of Florida and the other from the state of Canada :) ..... Toronto-York Spadina subway extension underway Tuesday, December 01, 2009 Construction is now underway on a new link that will connect the future Toronto-York Spadina Subway Extension mainline to the existing Wilson Subway Yard and expand yard storage facilities. The Government of Canada is contributing $5.5 million to this portion of the project. This contribution is part of the federal government's overall $697-million federal commitment to the subway extension and is also a major component of FLOW, the Government of Canada's transportation action plan for the Greater Toronto Area. READ MORE AT: http://www.rtands.com/newsflash/toronto-york-spadina-subway-extension-underway.html Florida special session on rail set for Thursday Tuesday, December 01, 2009 Florida Senate President Jeff Atwater and House Speaker Larry Cretul called a special lawmaking session to begin Thursday to dedicate funds for Tri-Rail and advance plans for Central Florida's SunRail. The proposal, which is still being drafted, calls for $15 million annually for South Florida's Tri-Rail system, would establish the Florida Rail Enterprise to oversee all passenger rail, pay CSXT $1 billion for tracks to build the 61-mile Orlando area SunRail system and spare taxpayers from lawsuits should a freight accident occur on tracks shared with passenger trains. Legislators hope that in passing the proposal it will show the state's commitment to commuter rail and improve its chances of securing stimulus funds. READ MORE AT: http://www.rtands.com/newsflash/florida-special-session-on-rail-set-for-thursday.html SunRail opponent: “I’m not anti-commuter rail” Florida State Sen. Paula Dockery, who is running for governor next year, continues to oppose the proposed 61.5-mile SunRail project envisioned for Orange County, with Orlando as its hub. But she emphasizes her objections as fiscal ones protecting the state’s taxpayers and not an anti-rail stance in itself. "I am not anti-commuter rail," Dockery said at a recent meeting of the Winter Park City Commission. "In fact, I probably like mass transit more than many others." READ MORE AT: http://www.railwayage.com/breaking-news/sunrail-opponent-i-m-not-anti-commuter-rail.html "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
December 4, 200915 yr UTA's TRAX light-rail system turns 10 ProgressiveRailroading.com Today, the Utah Transit Authority (UTA) is marking the TRAX light-rail system’s 10th anniversary. On Dec. 4, 1999, the authority launched the system as a 15-mile north-south line connecting Sandy City and downtown Salt Lake City. The system carried more than 600,000 riders during its first month of operation. Now, TRAX averages between 40,000 and 50,000 riders each weekday. In December 2001, UTA opened a second light-rail line from downtown to the University of Utah Rice-Eccles Stadium prior to the 2002 Winter Olympics. Additional TRAX extensions opened to the University of Utah Medical Center in 2003 and Salt Lake Central Station in 2008, when UTA introduced its first commuter-rail line, FrontRunner, running 44 miles from Salt Lake City to Pleasant View. Through a FrontLines 2015 initiative, UTA plans to expand its passenger-rail network more than 70 miles by 2015. Three new TRAX lines are under construction with a fourth in the environmental study phase. The authority also plans to extend FrontRunner service 45 miles south from Salt Lake City to Provo. More at: http://www.progressiverailroading.com/news/article.asp?id=22097
December 8, 200915 yr Author This is a HUGE system they're looking at..... Future commuter-rail system is envisioned for the Phoenix Monday, December 07, 2009 Enough people would board a train in the Phoenix area's suburbs that a future commuter-rail system would be as popular as some of the busiest lines in the West, new studies have found, The Arizona Republic reports. A trio of yearlong rail studies, in nearly final form, indicates commuter rail could carry almost 18,000 passengers a day by 2030. Planners at the Maricopa Association of Governments say, based on the findings, they favor a 105-mile, X-shaped system that could feature 33 stations and cost roughly $1.5 billion. That's a little more than the Valley's 20-mile, light-rail starter line. The commuter-rail network would use existing freight track through downtown Phoenix, with lines from Queen Creek to Buckeye and from Chandler to Wittmann. The northeast Valley, whose light-rail line lacks funding, would remain without commuter rail. READ MORE AT: http://www.rtands.com/newsflash/future-commuter-rail-system-is-envisioned-for-the-phoenix.html "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
December 8, 200915 yr ^Well with all our retirees headed that way and not able to drive as well they have to come up with some way of moving them around.
December 8, 200915 yr ^Well with all our retirees headed that way and not able to drive as well they have to come up with some way of moving them around. People aren't flooding Southern Cali, Arizona and Florida like the past. My question is whether those citizens will vote for that?
December 9, 200915 yr Rail bill clears Florida House; Senate fight looms Railway Age A passenger rail package that passed the Florida House on Monday would create a new regional rail system for Central Florida (SunRail), provide annual funding for for the existing Tri-Rail system serving southeastern Florida, and authorize a new venture into high speed passenger rail. In the state Senate, however, the bill barely survived its first committee vote, winning 5-4 after a pro-rail senator replaced a member of the Transportation Committee who was absent due to illness. On a tie vote the bill would have died. Full story at: http://www.railwayage.com/breaking-news/rail-bill-clears-florida-house-senate-fight-looms.html
December 10, 200915 yr Author Great news for Florida! Please remember this -- that it took three tries to get this through the state legislature as we could face similar fights in Ohio in coming years.... Tuesday, December 8, 2009 Senate OKs SunRail Orlando Business Journal The Florida Senate passed a bill on Dec. 8 in a 27-10 vote that gave the OK for SunRail and high-speed rail just 24 hours after the House gave it a thumbs-up in an 84-26 vote. The bill, which failed to pass two times previously, approves projects including Orlando’s SunRail commuter rail project, as well as the high-speed rail project connecting Orlando, Miami, Tampa and Jacksonville. READ MORE AT: http://orlando.bizjournals.com/orlando/stories/2009/12/07/daily19.html "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
December 10, 200915 yr Western high speed rail alliance formed RailwayAge.com Five regional planning organizations Thursday announced the formation of the Western High Speed Rail Alliance (WHSRA). The alliance envisions a Denver-to-Los Angeles corridor with regional hubs in Las Vegas, Salt Lake City, Denver, and Phoenix as well as links from Denver to Salt Lake City to Reno, Nev., and ultimately to San Francisco. "We believe implementation of a regional high speed rail plan for the Rocky and Intermountain West is critical to the development of a national high-speed rail system. Corridors must be studied now to lay the groundwork for additional development," said Jacob Snow, chairman of the organization. Full story at: http://www.railwayage.com/breaking-news/western-high-speed-rail-alliance-formed.html
December 10, 200915 yr Author Wow...... Toronto OKs capital budget heavy on public transit The Toronto City Council Tuesday adopted a C$2.5 billion (US$2.4 billion) capital budget for 2011, 55% (about US$1.49 billion) which is targeted at acquiring buses, subway cars, and light rail vehicles for its "Transit City" light rail plan. ...... Transit projects for 2010 include C$827 million for the Toronto Transit Commission, C$189 million for early stages of the Spadina subway extension, C$301 million for Transit City, a new network of light-rail lines to improve service in the suburbs, and C$129 million for renewal of Gtoronto’s Union Station, used by GO Transit and VIA Rail Canada. READ MORE AT: http://www.railwayage.com/breaking-news/toronto-oks-transport-budget-heavy-on-public-transit.html "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
December 11, 200915 yr Author Civvik, I moved the China HSR piece from the BBC to "Overseas, the Trains and the Market for Them Accelerate" "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
December 12, 200915 yr As a note, I removed ", transit" from the title, since we now have a dedicated subforum just for mass transit. This thread should now be reserved for what other states are doing with rail -- freight, passenger, etc.
December 12, 200915 yr Mongiardo pushes for Ky. rail system By Amanda Van Benschoten, Kentucky Enquirer, December 11, 2009 NEWPORT - Lt. Gov. Dan Mongiardo, who's seeking the Democratic nomination to U.S. Senate, has proposed a statewide passenger rail system that he says will create jobs, expand economic opportunity and improve the quality of life across Kentucky. "This is going to be one of my priorities in Washington, to make Kentucky a hub of this future of mass transit for our country," he said during a visit to Newport this week.
December 12, 200915 yr Kentucky needs to get on the 3C train and start chatting with Tennessee about some sort of Louisville/Cincinnati service to Atlanta. They would also benefit from any investment in the Cardinal obviously. I know the St. Louis area has gone in pretty extensively for rail, perhaps connecting the far western part of the state would be valuable (may already along the Mississippi R).
December 12, 200915 yr It should be noted that for about 5 years, we had a serious proposal for the "Triangle High-Speed Rail" project. That proposal is dead, but having a high-speed network along Interstates 64, 71 and 75 between our three largest cities is a proposal in this current iteration.
December 13, 200915 yr Downeaster eyes stimulus funds to expand Sun, 12/13/2009 - 10:03 Portland Press Herald The director of the Northern New England Passenger Rail Authority is optimistic that federal stimulus money will be granted to expand Amtrak's Downeaster north to Brunswick. Patricia Douglas says two proposals for $36 million and $39 million would tap into stimulus money for high speed and passenger rail service. They follow two different timetables. The fast-tracked version calls for work to be completed on 30 miles oftrack within two years. Full story at: http://updates.pressherald.mainetoday.com/updates/downeaster-eyes-stimulus-funds-to-expand
December 14, 200915 yr Author LACMTA approves LRT for South LA Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority late Thursday approved plans for an 8.5-mile light rail line, running roughly north-south, dubbed the Crenshaw/LAX Transit Corridor Project. LACMTA cited input from numerous community leaders and citizens calling for LRT to augment, or replace, existing bus service (many rejecting calls for Bus Rapid Transit in the process). READ MORE AT: http://www.railwayage.com/breaking-news/lacmta-approves-lrt-for-south-la.html "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
December 14, 200915 yr As a note, I removed ", transit" from the title, since we now have a dedicated subforum just for mass transit. This thread should now be reserved for what other states are doing with rail -- freight, passenger, etc. not sure where this goes now, but... 12/08/2009 09:06 AM "Quiet Buses" Hit The Road By: NY1 News The Metropolitan Transportation Authority yesterday unveiled some new super-quiet buses. The buses are made by New Zealand-based DesignLine and use diesel fuel to generate electricity. That turbine charges a battery to drive the electric motors. The lack of a traditional internal combustion engine means fewer moving parts, and less noise. There are three "quiet buses" already running in Brooklyn and Manhattan. If the pilot program is a success, the MTA will order 87 more by the end of next year. video: http://ny1.com/1-all-boroughs-news-content/news_beats/transit/110083/-quiet-buses--hit-the-road/
December 14, 200915 yr Author MnDOT getting a line on Twin Cities-Duluth rail PAUL LEVY, Star Tribune The day after saying that a passenger rail line from Minneapolis to Duluth could cost $1 billion, the state transportation official who talked about that price tag was shocked by what he heard at a public meeting in Cambridge: "Just get it done." "People told me they didn't care what it cost," said Dave Christianson of the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT), who oversees all state rail projects and has attended environmental assessment open houses in four cities along the proposed line. READ MORE AT: http://www.startribune.com/local/north/79181782.html "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
December 15, 200915 yr Author http://www.dot.state.pa.us/Internet/Bureaus/pdBRF.nsf/RailFreightHomepage?OpenFrameSet&frame=main&src=RailPlan?OpenForm PUBLIC COMMENT INVITED ON STATE PASSENGER, FREIGHT RAIL PLAN 12/11/2009 HARRISBURG – The public is invited to comment on the Pennsylvania Intercity Passenger and Freight Rail Plan, which provides guidance for investing in future rail needs and potential ways to enhance passenger and freight rail development in the state, supporting economic growth and environmental sustainability. "Passenger and freight rail are important infrastructure components in Pennsylvania and demand is growing for each of them," PennDOT Secretary Allen D. Biehler, P.E. said. "This plan will help us inventory our current infrastructure, future needs and facilitate cooperation between the two modes through future federal and state rail investments." The final plan will serve as a planning document for federal and state rail investments within the commonwealth; create the base document for additional analyses of goods movement in other modes; and fulfill the requirements of the Railroad Safety Enhancement Act of 2008, State Rail Plans and the Pennsylvania Rail Freight Preservation and Improvement Act Comprehensive Rail Freight Study. To view the draft plan, visit www.dot.state.pa.us and click on "Aviation & Rail Freight." Comment can be provided through Jan. 15, 2010 via online submission form or by mail to: Jennie A. Granger, AECOM Transportation, 2040 Linglestown Road, Suite 300, Harrisburg, PA 17110. "Public feedback on this rail plan allows us to hear concerns and input, which is a vital step in the transportation planning process," Biehler said. "Also, the public can learn about where we are and what the future of passenger and goods movement in Pennsylvania could hold." PennDOT developed this draft plan through a substantial partnership with public and private sector stakeholders, including carriers, shippers, developers, labor, private entities, and public agencies. "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
December 15, 200915 yr Author In the interest of learning from others and sharing with others, I looked around and found these various pages hosted by chambers of commerce regarding their campaigns for passenger rail projects...... Iowa City-Chicago Amtrak project: http://www.iowacityarea.org/Content/Iowa_City_Chicago_Passenger_Rail.aspx Greater Baltimore Chamber's transportation issues: http://www.gbc.org/page/regional-transportation/ And GBC's Amtrak Business Coalition: http://www.gbc.org/NewsAndEvents/archives/May04/amtrakcoalition.pdf Along those same lines is this Business Alliance for Northeast Mobility: http://www.rpa.org/campaigns/business-alliance-for-northeast-mobility.html Quad Cities, Illinois Chamber of Commerce rail project advocacy page: http://www.quadcitychamber.com/qcrail/index.asp Here's another Illinois rail project, this time advocated by the Genoa, Illinois chamber: http://www.genoaareachamber.com/bedr.htm Unfortunately, most chamber sites are like this one where they reference their support of various projects and sometimes post news/updates but aren't very interactive: http://www.scrantonchamber.com/pow_transportation.php Or this one, from Lynchburg, Virginia: http://www.lynchburgchamber.org/index.cfm?PID=18137 Which links to this slick campaign web site for the Trans Dominion Express: http://www.tdxinfo.org/ That last one may be the best one!! "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
December 17, 200915 yr Rolling back the decades A refurbished Pullman car returns to the rails By Beverly Fortune, Herald-Leader, December 12, 2009 The interior of the vintage Pullman car looks as if it came straight from a 1940s film — heavily paneled walls, scarlet drapes swagged over the windows and a dining table that easily seats 12. Unlike a train parked on a movie back lot, this elegant car, owned by R.J. Corman Railroad Group, is fully operational.
December 17, 200915 yr Author FTA approves advancement of Houston light rail project Wednesday, December 16, 2009 The University Corridor is an 11.3-mile double-track, 19-station LRT line. The FTA's notice cited improved transit travel time and reliability. Implementation of the University LRT line is projected to improve public transit travel times among commuters along Richmond Avenue, making it more competitive with the automobile. The University line is projected to generate 49,000 boardings per day by the year 2030 and will provide a connected network serving Houstonians commuting from east, west and southwest to the city's principal destinations and activity centers. READ MORE AT: http://www.rtands.com/newsflash/fta-approves-advancement-of-houston-light-rail-project.html "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
December 22, 200915 yr break on through to the other side!!! Breakthrough on the No. 7 Line Extension By Eliot Brown December 21, 2009 | 3:22 p.m New private development on the far West Side may be at a standstill amid the recession, but public investment is tunneling ahead. The mayor's office put out an announcement Monday morning, with accompanying video below, that the machines digging the tunnels for the new 1.5-mile extension of the No. 7 line have reached the cavern for the station on West 34th Street. The extension brings the No. 7 line from Times Square to the base of the Javits Center at 11th Avenue, and it was intended to help spur development throughout the far West Side (and to bring spectators to the Olympic and Jets Stadium, back when the line was approved in 2005). The announcement is no major milestone, but does serve as a reminder that the project is actually moving forward, even as almost all the so-called underutilized lots that were expected to sprout office buildings and condo towers overhead remain as parking lots or auto shops. The line is slated for completion in 2013 or so... http://www.observer.com/2009/real-estate/breakthrough-no-7-line-extension# boring but not boring! watch on youtube:
December 23, 200915 yr Author 76 miles?? Wow! Toronto breaks ground for Sheppard LRT extension A formal groundbreaking Monday marked construction of Toronto's Sheppard East light rail extension of roughly 8.4 miles along Sheppard Avenue from the Don Mills subway station. Sheppard East LRT is being billed as the first piece of the C$6 billion, 15-year plan to add at least 76 miles of streetcar routes throughout Canada’s largest city. The C$1 billion Sheppard East project will replace the Scarborough East bus line, with funding coming from Ontario and the federal government, with the province covering roughly two-thirds of the cost. "Today we start the renaissance of public transit in the city of Toronto, and from my perspective it's been far too long in coming," Mayor David said at the groundbreaking event. “It should have been done 30 years ago, but all of us can look back and say we did it today." READ MORE AT: http://www.railwayage.com/breaking-news/toronto-breaks-ground-for-sheppard-lrt-extension.html "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
December 26, 200915 yr Here are a couple of links for the New Mexico Rail Runner. The first is a slide show (if you can get past the cheesy music) and shows the construction of the line to Sante Fe. Looks a lot like highway construction! It CAN be done! WAKE UP OHIO!!!! All Aboard Ohio should invite NM Gov. Bill Richardson as the keynote speaker for its legislative summit!
December 27, 200915 yr ^ Did someone move my post? Usually there is some sort of message in the old string, but this time time it moved without any sort of notice. I understand the need for moderators and a rough sort of classification of subject matter, but moving messages without a word seems a bit much. There should be some sort of etiquette here. :?
December 28, 200915 yr Author There is a notification available for moving a thread, but not for combining one thread with another. If there was, I would have used it. "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
December 28, 200915 yr ^ Did someone move my post? Usually there is some sort of message in the old string, but this time time it moved without any sort of notice. I understand the need for moderators and a rough sort of classification of subject matter, but moving messages without a word seems a bit much. There should be some sort of etiquette here. :? There was only one post and it should have been posted in the right thread from the get go! Now sit down somewhere and HUSH! :whip:
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