Amtrak eyeing New Orleans to Miami revival
With an agreement forged for Amtrak to run from New Orleans to Mobile starting this year, there is new talk that passenger trains could continue on to Florida’s East Coast. A map outlining the possible new service was revealed at a recent meeting of the Amtrak board of directors.The proposed service would extend across the Florida panhandle and onto Jacksonville, enabling through service to Orlando and Miami. Passenger trains haven’t operated between Jacksonville and New Orleans since Hurricane Katrina in 2005. [masstransitmag.com]
Post-covid ridership lag besets Seattle service
In April 2020, two months after the first reported case of the coronavirus in the U.S., the future of the Sounder commuter rail line looked bright. But in the months that followed, use of the train evaporated, as it did on all forms of public transportation. Nearly three years later, that ridership is barely returning, hovering at roughly a third of pre-pandemic ridership. [seattletimes.com]
Proposals sought for Vancouver SkyTrain proj
British Columbia officials have invited two pre-qualified bidders to respond to a request for proposals (RFP) for the Surrey Langley SkyTrain project. The RFP addresses the design, construction and financing of the elevated guideway, roadworks, utilities and active transportation elements of the project. The Surrey Langley SkyTrain project calls for extending the Expo Line by 10 miles on an elevated guideway from King George SkyTrain Station in Surrey to 203rd Street Station in Langley City. [progressiverailroading.com]
Study looks at North Adams-Boston service
The Massachusetts Department of Transportation is conducting a study to examine the costs, benefits, and investments necessary to implement passenger rail service from North Adams to Greenfield and Boston. Dubbed the “Northern Tier Passenger Rail Study,” the work looks to ensure future rail service would have the speed, frequency, and reliability necessary to be a competitive travel option along this corridor. [news10.com]
