APTA recognizes Metrolink with top sustainability award
The American Public Transportation Association (APTA) has recognized the Southern California Regional Rail Authority (Metrolink) with the highest (Gold) level of achievement in its Sustainability Commitment Program. Despite challenges posed by the pandemic, Metrolink enacted measures to ease its environmental impacts; conducted an accessibility and affordability study to address social inequity; and became the U.S.’s first passenger rail agency to power its entire fleet with renewable fuel. [masstransitmag.com]
TxDOT requests funds to expand passenger train service across Texas
TxDOT has officially asked the FRA to fund the expansion of passenger rail service in Texas. Funds would be sought through the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act . If approved, Texans would see new and expanded Amtrak service between San Antonio, Houston, Dallas and other Texas cities. New and expanded service between Fort Worth, Oklahoma City, and Newton, Kansas is also being sought. The request is in response to the FRA’s Corridor Identification and Development Program. [mysanantonio.com]
Construction begins on Hamilton Confederation GO station
Construction has begun on the future Confederation GO Transit station in Hamilton, Ontario. It will feature an accessible island platform with canopies, pedestrian tunnel, pick-up and drop-off areas and stair access from the street. The new rail station is part of Metrolinx’s GO Expansion initiative to create a more integrated transit network in Hamilton, which is one of Ontario’s fastest-growing areas. Plans are underway to increase GO Transit rail service from Hamilton to Toronto and Niagara Falls. [progressiverailroading.com]
Amtrak restores New Orleans services to pre-COVID levels
Amtrak is now running all the New Orleans trains that it operated before the COVID-19 pandemic began. Daily service has resumed to New York City and Chicago, with various stops along the way. Although service between New Orleans and Los Angeles continued as normal during the pandemic, Amtrak reduced service on the other routes for much of this year due to the lingering effects of pandemic-induced staff cuts. [nola.com]
