$550M secured for Edmonton Calgary hyperloop
A transportation system that could eventually see people travel between Edmonton and Calgary in about 45 minutes has taken another step forward. Toronto-based TransPod has secured US$550 million in financing for its multibillion-dollar hyperloop system. UK-based Broughton Capital Group, in cooperation with China-East Resources Import & Export Co., have agreed in principle to provide a combined US$550M finance and Master EPC arrangement respectively, to accelerate the development of a TransPod Line between Edmonton and Calgary. [globalnews.ca]
Amtrak dodges Gulf Coast mediation challenge
The Surface Transportation Board has denied a motion for mediation that could have delayed Amtrak’s application to operate Gulf Coast service. On March 25, Norfolk Southern (NS), CSX, and the Alabama State Port Authority and its Terminal Railway Alabama State Docks division (collectively, the Port) requested STB-sponsored mediation. Amtrak opposed the move in March 28 filing with the STB, stating that mediation is “yet another attempt to further delay a process that has already been delayed far too long.” [railwayage.com]
Detroit’s People Mover plans reopening in April
Detroit’s People Mover is reopening after a two year closure due to the pandemic. Officials have not yet announced an exact opening date, but they said it should be sometime in April. The People Mover, which travels 2.9 miles around Downtown Detroit will be offering free rides for the first 120 days of service. For now, the train will offer limited service at nine stations. Officials said they have set up sanitizer stations, and trains will be cleaned multiple times a day. In the proposed 2022 fiscal budget, the system is seeking $6.5 million, mostly for staffing and operations, officials said. [michiganradio.org]
India and Nepal flag off cross-border train service
New cross-border passenger train service between India and Nepal has been launched by the countries’ prime ministers. India’s Narendra Modi and Nepal’s Sher Bahadur Deuba have jointly flagged off cross-border passenger train services between Jayanagar, India and Kurtha, Nepal through a joint videoconference. The East Central Railway passenger train carried about 150 passengers, who were mostly dignitaries and railway officials. The 34.5 km (21.5 mi) trip takes about an hour. [indiatimes.com]
