STB to probe Amtrak delays on host railroads
The Surface Transportation Board has created a passenger rail office that will be responsible for investigating and analyzing Amtrak on-time performance on host railroads. The STB is authorized to investigate the causes of substandard passenger rail on-time performance (OTP), to identify mitigating measures, and, under specified conditions, to prescribe relief. In 2008, the Federal Railroad Administration and Amtrak established a “Customer OTP” metric to measure such delays. [trains.com]
Walk bridge tops off Aventura Brightline Station
Brightline has topped off Aventura Station with the placing of a 131-foot pedestrian skybridge atop two 41-foot towers. Stretching across Harriet Tubman Highway, the skybridge connects the station to the platform. Once opened, Brightline will provide frequent peak hour express service between the station and downtown Miami. Located across from Aventura Mall, the station will also connect with Fort Lauderdale, Boca Raton and West Palm Beach — and Orlando in 2023. [masstransitmag.com]
No fed takeover of Boston-area transit planned
Federal transit authorities have no plans to try to take over the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority or withhold funds from the agency despite a harsh safety review of the MBTA released in August. Some state lawmakers have raised the possibility of placing the MBTA into federal receivership, however Federal Transit Administration head Nuria Fernandez said the FTA will continue its oversight of the MBTA to ensure that it addresses ongoing safety concerns. [apnews.com]
CP Holiday Train returning after two-year hiatus
The Canadian Pacific (CP) Holiday Train will return to the rails this season on its first cross-continent tour in three years, following virtual concerts in the pandemic years of 2020 and 2021. The train will again raise money, food and awareness for local food banks in communities along the CP network. The 2022 Holiday Train tour will launch on Nov. 23 in Jackman, Maine. Live musical performers will include Alan Doyle, Tenille Townes, Mackenzie Porter and Lindsay Ell, to name a few. [cpr.ca]
