passenger rail

FRA doles out $8B in grants advancing passenger rail

The Federal Railroad Administration is awarding $8.2 billion in grants for high-speed passenger rail projects as well as projects supporting capital improvements in existing rail corridors.

While the Class I railroads generally fund their own track improvements, freight rail service can benefit from passenger rail grants because there are parts of the U.S. rail network where passenger rail and freight rail share track. Projects awarded with grant funding may be seeking to separate passenger rail...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/fra-doles-out-8b-in-grants-advancing-passenger-rail

NTSB urges rail industry to take positive train control to the next level

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The rail industry should do more to leverage the safety benefits of positive train control (PTC),...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/ntsb-urges-rail-industry-to-take-positive-train-control-to-the-next-level

FRA awards $16B in grants to passenger rail projects

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The Federal Railroad Administration is awarding $16.4 billion to 25 passenger rail projects in...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/fra-awards-16b-in-grants-to-passenger-rail-projects

Internet connectivity issues affect CN’s customer service portal

CN confirmed that it is experiencing an internet connectivity issue as of Tuesday afternoon that’s affecting the Canadian railway’s customer service portal.

Passenger rail service via GO trains and VIA trains in and out of Union Station in Toronto, as well as CN’s customer service portal have all been impacted as they all require an internet connection to CN’s servers, the railway said Tuesday afternoon. But CN trains, Montreal’s EXO commuter rail service and Amtrak trains are operating, CN (NYSE...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/internet-connectivity-issues-affect-cns-customer-service-portal

TSA mandates new cybersecurity guidelines for railroads

The Transportation Security Administration is requiring U.S. freight and passenger railroads to comply with a new cybersecurity directive aimed at protecting the rail networks from harm.

The directive focuses on performance-based measures, according to TSA, and “will further enhance cybersecurity preparedness and resilience for the nation’s railroad operations.”

To safeguard against any cyber-related disruptions or degradations to rail infrastructure, TSA is requiring freight and passenger rail...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/tsa-mandates-new-cybersecurity-guidelines-for-railroads

What does the Federal Railroad Administration do?

Recent freight rail service issues have brought attention to the Surface Transportation Board, an independent federal agency that oversees economic regulations related to the railroads. This oversight includes railroad rates and rail service issues, such as mergers, line sales, line construction and line abandonments. 

But there is another federal agency that also regulates the railroads, and that is the Federal Railroad Administration, which oversees the safety aspects of rail. 

History of FRA

The...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/what-does-the-federal-railroad-administration-do

FRA requiring railroads to submit worker fatigue management plans

A worker sitting down with his hands behind his head. In front of him is a hard hat.

The Federal Railroad Administration is now requiring the Class I railroads, Amtrak and commuter railroads to include fatigue risk management plans as part of their larger system safety and risk reduction programs.

The rule was published Monday in the Federal Register. The Federal Railroad Administration will review the plans annually, per the Rail Safety Improvement Act of 2008, and it will also conduct periodic audits. 

FRA said this rule is one of several ongoing initiatives to address the...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/fra-requiring-railroads-to-submit-worker-fatigue-management-plans

CSX, NS share confidential data with Amtrak, enter mediation

The Surface Transportation Board is allowing select Amtrak staff to review “highly confidential” market and operations information from CSX and Norfolk Southern so it can respond to questions raised during a proceeding on its request to restore Gulf Coast passenger rail service. 

The STB is also ordering board-sponsored mediation for all parties. 

Amtrak wants to run two round trips per day on CSX- and NS-owned tracks and infrastructure between New Orleans and Mobile, Alabama, and it wants STB to...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/csx-ns-share-confidential-data-with-amtrak-enter-mediation

Texas rail advocates want state to fight for federal rail grants

A photoraph of a rail track in a desert-like field. A small building with a sign that says East Texas is next to the track.

Texas short-line operators are urging the state to pursue federal funds that would help finance rail projects in the state.

They’re highlighting federal grants available from the Federal Railroad Administration, especially as the window to apply for grants is expected to open in May. They say Texas hasn’t ever participated in any FRA funding that assists and encourages short-line investment.

“We have a once-in-a-generation opportunity to seize the day and for once have Texas participate in a...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/texas-rail-advocates-want-state-to-fight-for-federal-rail-grants

Federal hearing on Amtrak’s planned Gulf Coast service powers on

The evidentiary hearing that the Surface Transportation Board is conducting this week on Amtrak’s request to restore Gulf Coast service between Mobile, Alabama, and New Orleans appears poised to stretch beyond its original two-day schedule as the board and witnesses wrangle over what is and isn’t within the board’s jurisdiction.

Amtrak is seeking to reestablish service between the two Gulf Coast cities after service was stopped in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina in 2005. Amtrak wants to run...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/federal-hearing-on-amtraks-planned-gulf-coast-service-powers-on

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