Archive for December 2018
AAR: U.S. railroads post slight traffic gain in Week 49
(Source: Progressive Railroading 12/13/2018) U.S. rail traffic grew 3.1 percent to 570,225 carloads and intermodal units during December’s first week compared with traffic levels the same week a year ago, according to the Association of American Railroads (AAR). Total carloads for the week were steady at 267,000 units, up only 0.3 percent, while intermodal volume jumped 5.7…
Read MoreTrump to nominate Bragg, Jayne to Railroad Retirement Board
(Source: Progressive Railroading 12/07/2018) President Donald Trump announced he intends to nominate Johnathan Bragg and Thomas Jayne to the Railroad Retirement Board. Trump will nominate Bragg to serve as the board’s employee representative for the remainder of a five-year term expiring Aug. 28, 2019, and an additional five-year term expiring Aug. 28. 2024, according to a…
Read MoreRailroad Retirement and unemployment insurance taxes in 2019
(Source: Railroad Retirement Board press release, December 6, 2018) CHICAGO — The amounts of compensation subject to railroad retirement tier I and tier II payroll taxes will increase in 2019, while the tax rates on employers and employees will stay the same. In addition, unemployment insurance contribution rates paid by railroad employers will continue to include…
Read MoreSTB: Nothing’s the something it does best
(Source: Railway Age 12/10/2018) Written by Frank N. Wilner, Capitol Hill Contributing Editor Watching Washington, December 2018 Railway Age: New leadership arrives at railroad-focused congressional committees in January, and unless Surface Transportation Board (STB) Chairman Ann Begeman ingests breakfast Wheaties and gains courage to produce decisions, Congress may prescribe more than a potent laxative. The motivation will be…
Read MoreBUILD grants on way for rail work in five states
(Source: Progressive Railroading 12/07/2018) Politicians, government agencies and organizations made dozens of announcements yesterday about 2018 Better Utilizing Investments to Leverage Development (BUILD) program grants that will be awarded by the U.S. Department of Transportation(USDOT) for various projects, including several that involve freight and passenger rail. The USDOT created the BUILD program earlier this year to replace the…
Read More