Multibillion-dollar light rail system including downtown subway recommended for Austin
Austin’s Capital Metro is calling for the creation of a vast light rail transit system that includes a downtown subway system, underground city tunnels, at least one new bridge across Lady Bird Lake and a rail line to Austin-Bergstrom International Airport. While the exact cost is unclear, estimates run from upwards of $5 billion or more. [statesman.com]
Amtrak’s mandatory arbitration policy would end under new legislation
Lawmakers in both chambers of Congress have introduced the “Ending Passenger Rail Forced Arbitration Act,” which would end Amtrak’s requirement that legal action against the railroad be resolved through a mandatory arbitration process. Currently, a rider’s right to sue the passenger railroad for any reason is waived with the purchase of a ticket. [progressiverailroading.com]
Amtrak cancels nonstop Acela service between Washington and New York amid coronavirus crisis
Amtrak is canceling its Acela nonstop service between Washington and New York amid the global coronavirus outbreak that has hurt travel demand. The nonstop Acela service, which launched last fall, will be suspended starting Tuesday through May 26. The company cited reduced demand for train service as concerns rise about the spread of the novel coronavirus. Amtrak anticipates other train schedule changes to come. [washingtonpost.com]
Despite Brexit, new High-speed rail service offers UK closer European ties
It is just over 25 years since the U.K. forever became connected to the European mainland by rail, after the first Eurostar services to Paris and Brussels left London Waterloo on Nov. 14, 1994. Unlike airlines, which add and drop routes frequently, Eurostar pretty much has been doing the same thing ever since — fast, frequent and direct services to Paris and Brussels and seasonal destinations. Ironically, now that the U.K. has left the European Union, this is about to change. [businesstravelnews.com]
