Passenger
Union Pacific begins shifting commuter-rail operations to Metra
(Source: Progressive Railroading 03/31/2023) Union Pacific Railroad announced yesterday it’s working with Metra to “safely and seamlessly” transfer UP’s Chicago commuter-rail operations to the passenger railroad. UP officials anticipate completing the transfer by the end of first-quarter 2024. Metra will take over services that include train crew, mechanical, car cleaning, rolling stock maintenance, ticket sales and some engineering…
Read MoreWSDOT report outlines high-speed travel in Pacific Northwest
(Source: Progressive Railroading 12/09/2020) The Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) yesterday released a report that sets a roadmap to bring ultra-high-speed ground transportation to the Pacific Northwest. The report, dubbed the 2020 Framework for the Future, builds on previous studies conducted over the past three years and details next steps on governance, strategic outreach and funding and…
Read MoreMetra sues UP for breach of contract
(Source: Metra press release, October 14, 2020) CHICAGO — Metra today sued Union Pacific Railroad for breach of contract, accusing the freight railroad of severely damaging Metra’s bottom line, reputation and customer experience by an “arbitrary and capricious” refusal to deploy its conductors on the three lines that UP owns and operates in the Metra system.…
Read MoreU.S. Supreme Court denies Indian River County’s appeal of Brightline lawsuit
(Source: Progressive Railroading 10/09/2020) The U.S. Supreme Court earlier this week denied Indian River County’s petition to appeal its lawsuit against Brightline/Virgin Trains USA and the Federal Railroad Administration, Treasure Coast Newspapers (TCN) reported. The county was arguing that $2.7 billion of tax-exempt private activity bonds issued to Brightline/Virgin Trains was “improper,” TCN reported. County Attorney Jeffrey Lamkin told…
Read MoreLabor, passenger group asks STB to issue injunction in Metra-UP dispute
(Source: Progressive Railroading 08/21/2020) A coalition of labor and passenger-rail groups has written to the Surface Transportation Board (STB) in support of Metra‘s request for an injunction to require Union Pacific Railroad to continue operating commuter-rail service on three Chicago-area rail lines. Filed Aug. 18, the coalition’s statement notes that the STB determined earlier this month it would not rule on Metra’s…
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