Archive for June 11, 2018
Transportation bill would require Amtrak to employ one ticketing agent in each state
(Source: Progressive Railroading 06/11/2018) U.S. Sen. Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) has secured language in a federal transportation appropriations bill that would ensure Amtrak employs at least one ticketing agent in every state. Manchin lobbied for the measure after Amtrak announced it was terminating its only ticketing agent position in West Virginia. Although Amtrak sells most of its tickets…
Read MoreSound Transit slates meetings on Lynnwood Link extension station designs
(Source: Progressive Railroading 06/11/2018) Sound Transit has scheduled three open houses to provide an update on station designs for the Lynnwood Link light-rail extension. The agency has made a series of “design refinements” to cut costs for the 8.5-mile extension, Sound Transit officials said in a press release. The line will run from Seattle’s Northgate neighborhood…
Read MoreAAR sends letter to U.S. mayors to stress freight railroads’ local impacts
(Source: Progressive Railroading 06/11/2018) The Association of American Railroads (AAR) on Friday sent a letter to numerous U.S. mayors highlighting the freight-rail industry’s business and external relations efforts, including its economic impact, safety record and technological gains. The letter cites freight railroads’ ongoing work to install positive train control and references the AskRail app that was developed with the International Association…
Read MoreUSDOT names 26 proposed recipients of initial INFRA grants
(Source: Progressive Railroading 06/11/2018) The U.S. Department of Transportation on Friday announced plans to allocate nearly $1.5 billion in proposed grants for 26 projects through the new Infrastructure for Rebuilding America (INFRA) discretionary grant program. INFRA grants “support the Trump Administration’s commitment to fix the nation’s crumbling infrastructure by creating opportunities for all levels of government and the…
Read MoreRRB issues statements of service (Form BA-6)
(Source: Railroad Retirement Board press release, May 23, 2018) CHICAGO — Each year, the U.S. Railroad Retirement Board (RRB) prepares a “Certificate of Service Months and Compensation” (Form BA-6) for every railroad employee with creditable railroad compensation in the previous calendar year. The RRB will mail the forms to employees during the first half of June.…
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