GPS problems bedevil Denver RTD
Though Denver’s RTD commuter rail system was one of the first U.S. transit agencies to institute Positive Train Control (PTC), reception of the GPS signals upon which their PTC system depend continues to be a significant problem. PTC is designed to prevent collisions, derailments, misalignments, and unauthorized movements. This means that the location, speed and time information derived from GPS are critical elements. The upshot of all of this is that Denver RTD continues to struggle to make its operational PTC system work. [gpsworld.com]
After $25,000 fee, wheelchair users wait for better Amtrak stations, trains
Amtrak’s decision to charge two wheelchair users $25,000 to ride a train in Illinois generated a firestorm of criticism from disability advocacy groups and lawmakers. Though Amtrak reversed that decision and changed its policy for accommodating wheelchair users, the railroad has been slow to make progress on improving the accessibility of its stations and trains. It’s been 30 years since Congress passed the Americans with Disabilities Act. Despite a 2010 deadline to comply with the law, most Amtrak stations still don’t meet the law’s requirements and passenger cars lack full accessibility. [usatoday.com]
Last train to Europe: all aboard the Eurostar as Britain bids goodbye
The last Eurostar before Britain’s historic exit left London’s St Pancras station at 8:10 GMT on Friday. There were no extra checks at customs. A transition period preserves Britain’s EU membership in all but name until 2021. There were no protests, celebrations or tears on the journey. There was no official announcement over the intercom as the train went into the tunnel under the Channel. Many passengers said this felt like just another train ride. But it was not. [reuters.com]
Record Ridership for Amtrak Downeaster
The Amtrak Downeaster, which operates between Boston and Maine, achieved record-breaking ridership of 574,404 passengers in 2019, a 7.8% yearly increase according to the Northern New England Passenger Rail Authority (NNEPRA). NNEPRA attributes the ridership surge to increased frequency to Freeport and Brunswick, improved reliability, as well as repeat riders. With an Amtrak Customer Satisfaction score of 91%, passengers rank the Downeaster among the top services for friendliness, overall satisfaction and quality of on-board food service. [railwayage.com]
Metromover beats monorail for riders to Miami Beach, but costs more. Worth it?
Miami’s Metromover would be enjoying a South Beach moment under a scenario laid out in a new county-funded transit report. With a new three-mile extension over Biscayne Bay, a rider could take a train from the main Metrorail station in downtown Miami to South Beach in 13 minutes. The analysis predicts the free transit option would be popular, generating 13,000 trips a day on a line expected to cost about $630 million to build. The other leading option is monorail, which would be far cheaper to operate but have fewer riders. [miamiherald.com]
