Stimulus bill includes $25B for transit, $1B for Amtrak
Donald Trump has signed a $2.2 trillion COVID-19 pandemic relief package into law following its passage by both houses of Congress. The package includes $24.9 billion for commuter rail operators and other public transportation agencies, as well as $1.02 billion in funding for Amtrak. Funds will enable agencies to offset some of the COVID-19 related costs and revenue losses according to the American Public Transportation Association (APTA). [progressiverailroading.com]
China’s Wuhan reopens subway, railway station
Wuhan, the central Chinese city at the epicenter of the COVID-19 outbreak, has reopened its subway and railway station following more than two months of suspension due to the epidemic. Passengers are being required to scan personal health QR codes with real name information and check body temperature before entering the metro stations and wear face masks during the whole journey. Infrared intelligent temperature monitoring equipment has been installed at all 182 subway stations that are back to service. [xinhuanet.com]
To fight a fast-moving pandemic, get a faster hospital
To move Covid-19 patients from the hardest-hit areas, authorities in France turned one of the nation’s famous TGV trains into a very fast ambulance. The mobile hospital, equipped with ventilators and medical staff, will shuttle patients from the hardest hit region to hospitals with more capacity, easing the stress on resources. Moving patients to less-affected regions will be a life-saving re-balancing act. [citylab.com]
China – Laos railway project reaches key milestone
Tracklaying has commenced on the Laotian section of the China – Laos railway as the project enters its final stages. The beginning of active construction on the outskirts of the Laotian capital, Vientiane, marks a key milestone in the project. The 414 km (257 mi) standard-gauge single-track electrified line runs south from the China-Laos border at Boten to Vientiane. Construction was optimised in light of the coronavirus pandemic with prevention and control measures implemented. [railjournal.com]
Strasburg Railroad in Lancaster County turns to freight to keep its business on track
Pennsylvania’s order to close nonessential businesses has brought the Strasburg Railroad’s popular steam train rides to a halt. Now, in the absence of those passenger excursions, the tourist railroad has turned to its freight business to stay afloat. Freight, which was once just 5 percent of all its operations, will remain the only activity on site until the time when the railroad is able to resume full operations. [fox43.com]
