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Rail News Home Rail Industry Trends October 2016 Part 1 : Election 2016: What's at stake for rail? Part 2 : APTA: Local elections put transit funding to the test Part 3 : Industry stakeholders weigh in on regulation, free trade, transit funding and other potential election-impacted issues Rail News: Rail Industry Trends
Click on an individual's name to jump to his or her take on the 2016 elections:
Joe McHugh, Amtrak
Ed Hamberger, AAR
Chuck Baker, NRC
Lance Fritz, UP
Andy Kunz, U.S. HSR Association
Linda Darr, ASLRRA
Paul Lewis, Eno Center for Transportation
Madeline Janis, Jobs to Move America
U.S. Rep. Jeff Denham
Jim Mathews, National Association of Railroad Passengers
Elaine Nessle, CAGTC
John Risch, SMART Joe McHugh, senior VP/governmental relations, AmtrakHow might the outcome of the national elections impact Amtrak? We try very hard to build relationships across the aisle. With regard to Congress, we got most of our big work done last year, when the FAST Act was passed, and this year has been spent implementing it. ... So, we really don't have any major legislative issues for Congress right now. And I don't expect to see us going up to Congress with a revised amount of issues. With regard to the presidential election, we will be watching very closely how the Department of Transportation is shaped under either of the two candidates' administration. The secretary of transportation sits on the board of directors at Amtrak — they typically delegate that through the FRA administrator, so we'll see how that evolves during the next year or so. There could be some potential changes in that, but, largely, I think we've benefited over the years.Joe McHugh

Rail News Home Rail Industry Trends October 2016 Part 1 : Election 2016: What's at stake for rail? Part 2 : APTA: Local elections put transit funding to the test Part 3 : Industry stakeholders weigh in on regulation, free trade, transit funding and other potential election-impacted issues Rail News: Rail Industry Trends

By This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. StaffWhen Vice President Joseph Biden announced a $2.45 billion federal loan for Amtrak on Aug. 26, he expressed his frustration about long-snarled efforts to bolster and modernize rail systems in the United States.“Why in this country are we so boneheaded to not understand the essential value of a rail system that is modern throughout the whole country? Why do we argue about whether or not it makes sense?” he queried. “We can’t make this country work without rail.”Those questions could be addressed or ignored by the next administration and new Congress, meaning the Nov. 8 national elections will have a significant impact on whether freight- and passenger-rail systems make strides, stand pat or slip backward over the next four years. As the elections neared, it wasn’t clear to rail industry stakeholders which of the three was the more distinct possibility.“It’s tempting to get distracted by the ‘bright shiny object’ that is this year’s presidential campaign. However, it’s difficult to decipher much rail-related information from all the noise surrounding partisan wedge issues, even more so with this campaign cycle,” says Jim Mathews, president and chief executive officer of the National Association of Railroad Passengers.So, anxieties are high among many rail constituents about how a number of key issues might swing after the 115th Congress takes office Jan. 3 and the 45th president is inaugurated Jan. 20. Among them: infrastructure spending, rail funding, Amtrak’s federal allocation, economic growth, rail regulation and free trade.The heightened state of uneasiness has been magnified by the uncertainty surrounding the national elections and the winning politicians’ potential position on rail.“There’s the question of which candidate is better for railroads. That has to play out. It depends on the issue,” says American Short Line and Regional Railroad Association President Linda Darr.But at least one thing is certain: The major political party winners will have an opportunity to exert their influence on many issues in the U.S. government’s executive and legislative branches in the years to come. Since the strength of that influence on rail-related issues is up for debate, pre-election discussions among industry constituents have been lively, to say the least.To learn where various constituents stand on the issues and election implications as voters prepared to make their voices heard at the polls, Progressive Railroading reached out to 10 rail industry stakeholders, including the House Railroads, Pipelines and Hazardous Materials Subcommittee chair, a Class I leader, an Amtrak executive, a labor union legislative director and the heads of several associations.Our what’s-at-stake-for-rail questions and their answers — mostly obtained via interviews and emails — are featured here. Plus, American Public Transportation Association and transit agency execs review Nov. 8 ballot measures and express their concerns about federal passenger-rail funding in this piece. In addition, this online version of our Oct. issue cover story includes longer responses and feedback from a few more stakeholders that weren’t included in the print version. next page
Keywords Browse articles on Amtrak National Association of Railroad Passengers American Short Line and Regional Railroad Association House Railroads Pipelines and Hazardous Materials Subcommittee American Public Transportation Association Contact Progressive Railroading editorial staff.

Rail News Home Rail Industry Trends October 2016 Part 1 : Election 2016: What's at stake for rail? Part 2 : APTA: Local elections put transit funding to the test Part 3 : Industry stakeholders weigh in on regulation, free trade, transit funding and other potential election-impacted issues Rail News: Rail Industry Trends
By This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., Senior Associate EditorThe U.S. presidential and congressional elections aren’t the only votes that public transportation advocates will be watching on Nov. 8: A total of $200 billion in transit initiatives are at stake on local ballots in 31 cities, counties and states.The ballot measures ask voters to approve proposed increases in taxes or fees to help pay for public transportation in their communities, according to the American Public Transportation Association (APTA).If the measures pass, the proceeds will go toward improving existing service and expanding transit systems. The largest local transit initiative on the ballot will be in Los Angeles, where voters will be asked to approve Measure M, a half-cent sales tax increase that Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority leaders hope will generate enough funds for a $120 billion expansion of the transit system to accommodate the region’s future population growth. Other communities with transit-funding measures on the Nov. 8 ballot and the amount they’re asking voters to approve include Seattle, $54 billion; San Diego, $7.5 billion; San Francisco, $3.5 billion; Santa Clara County, Calif., $3 billion; and Atlanta, $2.5 billion.“With approximately $200 billion in funding for public transportation, this [election] is a game changer for people and the communities they live in,” said Richard White, APTA’s acting president and chief executive officer during a media conference call held during the association’s annual meeting in September.White noted that the ballot initiatives will help local communities keep up with the cost of local transportation infrastructure, especially at a time when Congress isn’t always clear about whether it will come through with additional funding for major infrastructure needs.Economic benefitsThe number of ballot measures in November is due in part to transit’s popularity, with transit ridership at an all time high in many areas, according to APTA. Communities see economic advantages, as well: Every $1 invested in public transportation produces about $4 in economic benefits, APTA officials say. Plus, many riders use transit to get to work: Six out of 10 trips on public transportation systems are work-related commutes, according to APTA. Also, riding the subway or other forms of transit can save individuals money — up to $10,000 annually — over the cost of owning and driving a car.Whether voters in all 31 communities approve the ballot initiatives remains to be seen, of course. But during the media call, White emphasized that transit initiatives have had a good track record. Since 2000, public transit ballot initiatives have passed by an average of more than 70 percent, according to APTA.“When people understand how a ballot initiative will improve their community’s transportation network, they overwhelmingly vote to support the suggested funding,” White noted in a recent APTA press release.But even if all 31 ballot measures pass, U.S. public transit executives hope that the next Congress and president will be open to new investment in major transportation infrastructure projects. (Both presidential candidates Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump have indicated support for large increases in infrastructure spending.)However, during the GOP convention in July, APTA issued a strong statement in opposition to a GOP platform measure that called for ending dedicated federal revenue for public transportation by eliminating mass transit dollars in the federal Highway Trust Fund. Such a move would “undo more than 30 years of overwhelming support for dedicated federal investment in public transit,” White said in a prepared statement in July.“Having no federal funds would be devastating, not only to the millions of Americans who use public transportation and to the employers who depend on it for their employees, but also for communities of all sizes that need it for a thriving economy and quality of life,” he said. previous page next page
Keywords Browse articles on American Public Transportation Association (APTA) Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (LA Metro) Richard White Contact Progressive Railroading editorial staff.

10/7/2016    

Rail News: Kansas City Southern

Rail News Home Kansas City Southern 10/7/2016 Rail News: Kansas City Southern
A KCS intermodal trainPhoto – Kansas City Southern

10/5/2016    

Rail News: BNSF Railway

10/3/2016    

Rail News: Norfolk Southern Railway

Rail News Home Norfolk Southern Railway 10/3/2016 Rail News: Norfolk Southern Railway
The NS safety train offers continuing education to first responders.Photo – Norfolk Southern Corp.

9/30/2016    

Rail News: Canadian National Railway - CN

Rail News Home Canadian National Railway - CN 9/30/2016 Rail News: Canadian National Railway - CN CN announced earlier this week that it would award grants of 25,000 Canadian dollars to 50 communities to fund local tree planting projects across Canada.The 2017 grant awards double from 25 to 50 the number of communities that have received grants in previous years, according to a CN press release.The awards are part of the sixth year of CN's EcoConnexions "From the Ground Up" program launched in partnership with "Tree Canada" and "Communities in Bloom."Selected communities will each receive a CA$25,000 grant from CN, a plaque and a ceremonial tree to be planted in celebration of Canada's 150th anniversary.Since CN launched From the Ground Up in 2012, more than 60,000 trees and shrubs have been planted in Canada. Contact Progressive Railroading editorial staff. More News from 9/30/2016

9/29/2016    

Rail News: Canadian Pacific

9/29/2016    

Rail News: Norfolk Southern Railway

Rail News Home Norfolk Southern Railway 9/29/2016 Rail News: Norfolk Southern Railway Norfolk Southern Corp. announced yesterday that James Hixon, executive vice president law and corporate relations and chief legal officer, will retire effective Dec. 1.Hixon joined NS in 1985 as a tax attorney and was elected an officer of the company in 1993 when he was named vice president taxation. He subsequently was promoted to senior executive positions with a range of responsibilities, including senior vice president administration, and executive vice president finance and public affairs.Hixon was named to his current position in 2005."Jim has served Norfolk Southern in a wide variety of executive capacities for more than two decades," said James Squires, chairman, president and chief executive officer in a press release. "His contributions to the success of our company and to the overall vitality of the American railroad industry are significant and long-lasting."William Galanko, senior vice president law and corporate communications, will assume Hixon's legal and corporate communications responsibilities on Dec. 1.Galanko joined NS in 1990 as a tax attorney and was named vice president taxation in 1999, vice president financial planning in 2005, and vice president law in 2006. Also effective Dec. 1, NS named John Scheib vice president law to replace Galanko. Since joining NS in 2005, Scheib has held positions of increasing responsibility in the NS law department and currently is general counsel commerce. Contact Progressive Railroading editorial staff. More News from 9/29/2016

9/29/2016    

Rail News: Canadian National Railway - CN

9/26/2016    

Rail News: CSX Transportation

9/20/2016    

Rail News: Norfolk Southern Railway

Rail News Home Norfolk Southern Railway 9/20/2016 Rail News: Norfolk Southern Railway Norfolk Southern Corp. yesterday marked the first anniversary of its acquisition of the Delaware & Hudson Railway Co.'s line between Sunbury, Pa., and Schenectady, N.Y.During the past year, NS has improved customer service and invested in infrastructure in the corridor, according to an NS press release. The Class I installed 90,000 new ties, resurfaced 84 miles of track, and made improvements to the Belden Tunnel in New York.In addition, NS hired 166 new employees, including 140 former Delaware & Hudson workers.Service improvements, including an average eight daily trains, have helped attract additional rail traffic and shifted long-haul trucks off roadways. NS intermodal terminals at Ayer, Mass., and Scranton, Pa., have seen double-digit volume growth during the past year, NS officials said.NS acquired 282 miles of Delaware & Hudson track for $214.4 million from Canadian Pacific. The line connects to NS's network at Sunbury and Binghamton, N.Y., as well as to its joint venture subsidiary Pan Am Southern at Mechanicville, N.Y. Together, the Pan Am Southern network, which serves New England markets, and the former Delaware & Hudson line provide NS with a single-line route linking Chicago and southeastern U. S. markets to the capital region of New York. Contact Progressive Railroading editorial staff. More News from 9/20/2016

9/19/2016    

Rail News: Canadian National Railway - CN

9/16/2016    

Rail News: BNSF Railway

9/16/2016    

Rail News: Canadian Pacific