Plan to bring Metro-North service to Penn Station gets federal OK
A Metropolitan Transportation Authority plan to provide Metro-North service to Penn Station has received clearance from the Federal Transit Administration. The FTA’s Finding of No Significant Impact completes the environmental review process and sets the stage for construction of four new commuter rail stations as well as direct service from Connecticut. The project will use the existing Amtrak line between Penn Station and New Rochelle, N.Y., to connect to existing Metro-North lines north of New Rochelle. It will also see construction of four new stations in the Bronx. [trains.com]
Fed funding for station upgrades boost Amtrak Gulf Coast plan
Three Mississippi cities and Birmingham, Alabama have been awarded grants to improve their train stations ahead of the planned return of Amtrak service to the Gulf Coast. Bay St. Louis, Gulfport and Pascagoula received a little more than $700,000 total, with $250,000 going to Birmingham.The grants require matching contributions from local officials. Amtrak hopes to resume operating between New Orleans and Mobile, Alabama in January. Final confirmation of the service’s return, suspended since 2005 due to damage by Hurricane Katrina, is awaiting a decision on Amtrak’s right of access to freight lines. [apnews.com]
Dallas DART expands contactless-payment system
Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) has expanded its contactless payment system to all bus, light rail and Dallas Streetcar vehicles. The system enables riders to pay for their DART transit fare with a contactless credit, debit card, or a payment-enabled mobile phone or wearable device. Contactless payment gives riders a new touch-free option for paying their fare. DART riders can hold their contactless payment card or payment-enabled mobile device to any DART GoPass Tap card reader located on the platforms at rail stations, onboard DART buses and on Dallas Streetcar vehicles. [progressiverailroading.com]
Virgin Hyperloop to showcase full-scale commercial pod in Dubai
Virgin Hyperloop will showcase a full-scale hyperloop cargo pod and a cutaway passenger pod in Dubai as part of DP World’s FLOW pavilion at Expo 2020. Guests will be able to sit inside a cutaway passenger pod to see what a future journey on hyperloop will feel like. Surrounding the pod, visitors will learn more about the technology and its future impact through interactive displays, videos, and models. The pavilion opens as part of Expo 2020 on 1 October 2021 and runs through 31 March 2022. [yahoo.com]
