STB grants delay in final Gulf Coast hearing
With a “substantial probability” that parties involved can reach an agreement through mediation, the Surface Transportation Board has postponed hearings over Amtrak’s efforts to launch Gulf Coast passenger service. The hearings had been scheduled for November 17th and 18th, but statements from Amtrak, CSX, Norfolk Southern, and the Alabama State Port Authority confirm the probability of a settlement. If the hearings are needed, they will be held November 30th and December 1st. The board will decide the case on December 7th. [trains.com]
Florida DOT to help fund Broward commuter line
The Florida DOT will provide $74.2 million towards construction of a Broward commuter rail line. The service is expected to be similar to Tri-Rail in station spacing, headways, and ticket pricing, but will run through more densely populated eastern areas on tracks shared with Brightline. It will begin in Aventura and run to downtown Fort Lauderdale. Construction on the $300m+ project is expected to begin in 2025. [thenextmiami.com]
Bluff continues to move at San Clemente rail site where repairs shut down service to San Diego
Excavation is underway for the installation of ground anchors to stop the still-sliding slope beneath the bluff-top railroad tracks along San Clemente, California’s Pacific Coast. Metrolink and Amtrak suspended passenger rail service Sept. 30 between San Diego and Orange Counties after movement was detected in the area of an old landslide just north of the San Diego County border. The service suspension is expected to continue through the end of the year while repairs are underway. [sandiegouniontribune.com]
RTD wants a corporate sponsor for the A Line
Denver’s Regional Transportation District (RTD) is seeking a new name for its commuter rail line to Denver’s airport. RTD is actively looking for a corporate sponsor interested in naming rights for the A Line between Union Station and Denver International Airport. The rail line was known as the University of Colorado A Line from 2014 until the sponsorship expired on May 31. Proposals for A Line partnership will be accepted through November 30th. A final selection is expected soon after. [9news.com]
More people are riding trains in Virginia than ever before
The number of people riding trains in Virginia has rebounded greatly since last year’s pandemic ridership statistics–even beating pre-pandemic levels. For the month of September, the Virginia Passenger Rail Authority released statistics comparing 2022’s ridership to last year’s, as well as pre-pandemic rider numbers in 2019. The results indicate an increase of 108% in the past year and 37.6% more than 2019. In particular, since 2019, Route 46 Roanoke has seen nearly a 65% increase. [wset.com]
