Amtrak begins $28M upgrade on long-distance cars
Amtrak has started rolling out new and improved comforts and features for its long-haul passenger rail cars. The $28 million upgrade project focuses on Amtrak’s bi-level Superliner and single-story Viewliner fleets of rail cars used for overnight train routes. Amtrak will improve more than 450 rail cars during the next three years. By the end of the project, every one of Amtrak’s Superliner and Viewliner coaches, dining cars, sightseer lounges and sleeper cars will be refreshed. [thepointsguy.com]
Rider group asks feds for emergency transit relief
The American Public Transportation Association has asked congress for at least $129 million in emergency appropriations for transit agencies. The funds would go through a Federal Transit Administration emergency program to help transit agencies. Grants would help offset costs of providing emergency transportation services, rebuilding infrastructure and replacing vehicles after natural disasters including floods, hurricanes, wildfires and earthquakes. [progressiverailroading.com]
2nd Chicago-Twin Cities train in final planning phase
The final design phase of the project to add a second Amtrak train between Chicago and Minneapolis-St. Paul has begun. The Twin Cities-Milwaukee-Chicago (TCMC) project will develop plans for infrastructure improvements allowing the 411 mi route to handle increased traffic. The project has $53 million in funding in hand for improvements to track, signals, and grade crossings. The second train is expected to begin operating in 2024 or earlier. [trains.com]
OKC Streetcar hits 1M rider milestone after 4 years
Oklahoma City officials are celebrating after the OKC Streetcar reached its 1-million rider milestone on Saturday, Sept. 10. The milestone was reached after four years of service according to EMBARK officials. Service began on Dec. 14, 2018. The streetcar includes two route options: the 4.8-mile Downtown Loop and the 2-mile Bricktown Loop. The OKC Streetcar is the region’s first local passenger rail in nearly a century. A return of regional commuter rail services is now being studied. [okcfox.com]
NYC subway to install security cameras in train cars
With subway ridership stubbornly stuck at about 60 percent of prepandemic levels, the New York’s MTA will install two security cameras on every car to lure back people frightened of crime and bolster system finances. The surveillance program comes after many riders abandoned the subways when the coronavirus pandemic led to the lockdown of the city two years ago. As more people have found ways to navigate New York above ground, crime has became more common below. [nytimes.com]
