General Information
FRA: PTC operating on over 99 percent of required route miles
(Source: Progressive Railroading 11/18/2020) All railroads subject to the federal positive train control (PTC) mandate are currently operating PTC systems in revenue service or in advanced field testing, the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) announced today. As of Sept. 30, PTC technology remains yet to be activated on about 223 required route miles, based on railroads’ third-quarter 2020 PTC progress…
Read MoreFRA publishes final rule setting Amtrak performance standards for host railroads
(Source: Federal Railroad Administration press release, November 16, 2020) WASHINGTON, D.C. — The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) today published a final rule setting forth metrics and a minimum standard to measure the performance and service quality of Amtrak intercity passenger train operations, including metrics relating to on-time performance and train delays, customer…
Read MoreGA-46000 Lifetime maximum adjusted for 2021
INDEPENDENCE, Ohio, November 16 – The lifetime maximum benefit for the Railroad Employees National Early Retirement Major Medical Benefit Plan (also known as ERMA or GA-46000) will increase from $171,100 to $175,700 on January 1, 2021. At the end of 2001, Labor and Management agreed on various procedures to administer the annual changes in the…
Read MorePresident-elect Joe Biden expected to be a friend to Amtrak
(Source: Business Insider, November 15, 2020) WASHINGTON, D.C. — President-elect Joe Biden is no stranger to America’s rail system. Having used Amtrak to commute between Washington, DC and his home in Delaware for decades during his time as a US senator, the frequent rider earned the nickname “Amtrak Joe,” as the New York Times reported.…
Read MorePart 2: The ICC and the railroads
(Source: Freight Waves, November 14, 2020) CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. — The Interstate Commerce Act was passed in 1887 in response to rising public concern with the growing power and wealth of corporations, particularly railroads, during the late 19th century. At that time, railroads were the principal form of transportation for both people and goods, and the…
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