Honolulu HART rail system begins final test runs
The Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation (HART) has begun final testing, “Trial Running,” before the rail system goes operational. The rigorous tests cover all aspects of the system including the trains, stations, systems and operating personnel, and simulations of normal and emergency operating scenarios. Multiple trains will be moving between the East Kapolei and Aloha Stadium stations up to 24 hours a day, seven days a week. [hawaiipublicradio.org]
NY-NJ Hudson Tunnel project completion delayed
The proposed Hudson River rail tunnel replacement — the biggest of the Gateway passenger-rail projects — will take three years longer than expected to complete. The project to replace the rail tubes that Amtrak and New Jersey Transit trains use to travel under the Hudson River between New York and New Jersey is now delayed to 2035. In addition, the project cost has ballooned another $2 billion. [progressiverailroading.com]
Amtrak Virginia ridership soars past pre-covid levels
More people are taking passenger trains in Virginia than ever before in Amtrak’s history. Over 110,000 people boarded state-sponsored Amtrak routes in July, that’s 20% higher than pre-pandemic levels and a 30% increase since June. In July, the state added two new daily round trips connecting D.C. to Norfolk and Roanoke and resumed a daily trip between Newport News and D.C. The Richmond-D.C. route saw a 26% increase in ridership between July 2019 and July 2022. [axios.com]
Feds hit Boston MBTA for staffing and safety issues
A toxic combination of staffing shortages, management, and communication issues has created serious safety deficiencies at the MBTA, federal investigators have concluded. Capping off a months-long investigation into safety failures at the T that in some cases have caused injuries or deaths, the Federal Transit Administration published an extensive, withering report ordering immediate fixes at the MBTA and at the Department of Public Utilities, two agencies overseen by Gov. Charlie Baker’s administration. [eagletribune.com]
St. Louis Loop Trolley gets $1.26M federal grant
The St. Louis region’s East-West Gateway Council of Governments has approved a $1.26 million federal grant for the city’s Delmar Loop Trolley. The funds, needed to continue operating the 2.4-mile trolley route, come from a federal grant with a $600,000 local match. Loop Trolley began operating Thursday through Sunday on August 4th after a lengthy hiatus. Rides will stop on October 30 and annual maintenance projects will begin in preparation for the spring. [kmov.com]
Minneapolis proj sees half billion dollar shortfall
The Southwest Corridor light rail project between Minneapolis and the southwestern suburbs has been wracked by delays and cost overruns that have led to a shortfall of more than half a billion dollars, according to a report by the state Office of the Legislative Auditor. Since 2011, the cost to build the 14.5 mile extension of the Metro Green Line has more than doubled to $2.74 billion. [mprnews.org]
