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Oct
17

Alaska Railroad arranges LNG test haul

Rail News Home Short Lines & Regionals October 2016 Rail News: Short Lines & Regionals

Through October, Alaska Railroad plans to transport two containers of LNG between Anchorage and Fairbanks a total of eight times.Photo – Alaska Railroad Corp. By This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., Managing EditorAlaska Railroad Corp. (ARRC) has taken another step toward becoming the first railroad to haul liquefied natural gas (LNG) in the United States.In late September, the regional began a demonstration exercise with two LNG containers to enable crews to become familiar with the gas’s characteristics and safe-handling procedures.Two 40-foot, intermodal cryogenic tank containers filled with LNG — a natural gas that’s been converted to a liquid for ease of storage and transit — were transported from Anchorage to Fairbanks on Sept. 27 during the trial’s first leg.Show and tellThe demonstration calls for ARRC to complete eight round-trips with the containers at a rate of two per week through October. Hitachi High-Tech AW Cryo Inc. loaned the containers to the railroad and Fairbanks Natural Gas LLC provided support for the demo.The trial moves will help ARRC determine the viability and costs of delivering LNG to Alaska’s interior, and demonstrate to shippers the railroad’s ability to safely transport the gas in the intermodal containers, says ARRC Manager of External Affairs Tim Sullivan.“We want to find out the efficiencies of moving LNG by rail, which we believe can be done in a very efficient manner,” he says.Via the demonstration, the containers are trucked 70 miles to a Titan Alaska LNG LLC facility near Point MacKenzie, then filled with LNG and returned to ARRC’s yard in Anchorage.The containers then are loaded onto flat cars and moved 350 miles north as part of the railroad’s overnight train to Fairbanks, where they are transported the last 4.5 miles via flatbed truck to Fairbanks Natural Gas’ storage facility.Empty containers are loaded onto flat cars and moved southbound on trains heading back to Anchorage. Currently, LNG is trucked to Fairbanks from the Titan Alaska processing plant near Point MacKenzie.In October 2015, ARRC obtained a two-year permit from the Federal Railroad Association (FRA) to begin hauling LNG.The moves can help address the state’s growing energy needs, especially in Alaska’s interior, ARRC officials believe. Interior residents face high home heating costs associated with fuel oil and are seeking a cheaper option. In addition, natural gas is part of a state plan to reduce air pollution caused by wood-burning stoves.“We can play a part in Alaska’s economy by bringing this lower-cost gas to the interior,” says Sullivan.Burden of proofThe railroad has worked with the FRA and other federal, state and local agencies to advance the development of LNG as a potential line of business.Although the demonstration isn’t required by the FRA, ARRC must meet several operating conditions that will be addressed via the trial moves. Demonstration results will be reviewed by the FRA to ensure federal regulators are satisfied with the railroad’s ability to safely move LNG, ARRC officials say.Ultimately, the customer — Titan Alaska — will decide if moving the gas by rail instead of by truck makes the most business sense, says Sullivan.“We will sit down with them and talk about the logistics and the cost savings,” he says. “We’ll see how it goes.”
Keywords Browse articles on Alaska Railroad Corp. liquefied natural gas Hitachi High-Tech AW Cryo Inc. Fairbanks Natural Gas LLC Titan Alaska LNG LLC Contact Progressive Railroading editorial staff.

Oct
14

CP 'well positioned' to move grain crop; supply chain scorecard launch set for next week

Rail News Home Canadian Pacific 10/14/2016 Rail News: Canadian Pacific Canadian Pacific is ready to move the delayed Western Canadian grain crop to market, and plans to launch a supply chain scorecard next week, officials for the Class I said this morning in a press release.
 
"We have all the assets in place to move the crop to market, but given wet weather, snow and other factors, the vast majority of the crop is not yet ready to move," said CP Chief Executive Officer E. Hunter Harrison. "While CP is just one part of the global supply chain, we are taking a leadership role in ensuring the supply chain works together so that the Canadian economy — including farmers and shippers — reaps maximum benefit." Despite forecasts for a record or near-record crop and as a result of the delayed harvest year-to-date, CP has moved less Canadian grain than in 2014-15, and less than the three-year average, the railroad said. In each of the last three full crop years, the Class I moved record volumes of grain, CP officials said. "Our supply chain is built to deliver grain throughout the year and depends on all the various pieces working together collaboratively," Harrison said. "Our new supply chain scorecard will help tell that story while holding us and the rest of the supply chain accountable." Working in tandem with Canadian government officials, CP developed a system designed to allow for open and transparent sharing of information to government on its grain movements. In addition to the information being shared with Transport Canada, and consistent with data provided post 2013-14 crop-year and the minimum mandate, CP is voluntarily launching a weekly supply chain scorecard Oct. 19 at www.cpr.ca/grain. The scorecard will outline CP's performance for the previous grain week and include, "when necessary," detailed information on any internal or external factors affecting grain movement, CP said. The railroad also has continued to make investments in infrastructure to facilitate more efficient grain movement; supply chain partner investments, especially in grain country elevator capacity and port capacity, also are making a difference, CP officials said.Meanwhile, CP also sent a letter to the federal ministers of transportation and agriculture outlining preparation for the crop year and calling for supply chain collaboration. Contact Progressive Railroading editorial staff. More News from 10/14/2016

Oct
14

CP 'well positioned' to move grain crop; supply chain scorecard launch set for next week

10/14/2016    

Rail News: Canadian Pacific

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Oct
14

Concrete and composite tie suppliers' take on 2016 business activity

Rail News Home MOW October 2016 Rail News: MOW

As Class Is decreased spending on new track construction, the demand for concrete ties has declined, CXT Inc. officials say.Photo – CXT Inc. By This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., Associate EditorFor the most part, wood-tie suppliers haven’t been affected as much by Class I capex cuts as other supply segments have. How are suppliers of other tie types faring?While composite tie companies are posting growth this year, business has been pretty slow for concrete tie suppliers.With Class Is spending less on new track construction such as spurs or extensions, there’s been a decline in demand for concrete ties, says Steve Burgess, president of CXT Inc., a subsidiary of L.B. Foster Co.“Basically all the new construction projects that would involve concrete ties have been pushed out,” he says. “Not that these projects aren’t going to go, it’s just that they’re not a part of this year’s capex.”It’s a similar story for Germany-based PCM Rail.One AG, which entered the North American market in 2014 with the opening of a plant in Clinton, Iowa. Demand for concrete ties this year has been “certainly lower” than it was in 2015, says Torsten Bode, chief sales and marketing officer at Rail.One.The company’s main North American customer is Union Pacific Railroad, but Rail.One this year secured a three-year contract to supply concrete ties to Canadian Pacific. And in late 2015, Rail.One supplied its first ties to CN.Although the demand for concrete ties among freight railroads may have leveled off, transit-rail has been a bright spot.“The pinnacle of the business has been the strength of the transit activity,” says CXT’s Burgess, adding that the supplier is working on a “number of different projects” in the Pacific Northwest.And while last year’s passage of the Fixing America’s Surface Transportation (FAST) Act bodes well for future transit projects, it hasn’t spurred much development yet.“Down the line, we’re absolutely going to see an impact, but it’s yet to come,” says Burgess, adding that FAST Act-funded projects should generate more activity in 2017, 2018 and beyond.For its part, Rail.One is just beginning to explore the U.S. transit market, says Bode.“We have long-term experience with customer-oriented and value-adding light-rail concrete ties and ballastless track systems, and are keen to see them used in the U.S. and North America as well,” he adds.Meanwhile, Rocla Concrete Tie Inc.’s business this year has been steady, says Vice President of Business Development Brett Urquhart.“We saw the significant cutback at the end of last year; now we are starting to see planning for maintaining healthier inventory going forward as we hopefully come out of this down cycle,” he says. “The [traffic] slowdown always has an impact [on] suppliers.”The slowdown may be impacting the composite-tie sector, as well, but two suppliers say business has been pretty good this year — it’s “up” for Axion Structural Innovations, due to a steady increase in orders for ties used in special trackwork, says William Jordan, vice president for commercial development.Jordan, who declined to share specific projects, added that the company foresees sustained growth into 2017 “driven by an even spread between domestic and international railroads.”In addition, Axion is adding two production lines and enhanced mechanical testing equipment at its facility in Waco, Texas.LT Resources Inc., which serves as the marketing and sales representative for American TieTek composite ties, also reports positive business activity in 2016, including transit projects and several large port projects.Composite ties are continuing to “gain acceptance in the industry,” says LT Resources President Linda Thomas. The company has observed more interest in composite ties for use under grade crossings, as well as in bridge applications.
Keywords Browse articles on concrete ties composite ties rail ties rail-tie market L.B. Foster CXT Inc. Steve Burgess PCM Rail.One AG Torsten Bode Fixing America's Surface Transportation Act FAST Act Rocla Concrete Tie Inc. Brett Urquhart Axion Structural Innovations William Jordan LT Resources Inc. Linda Thomas Contact Progressive Railroading editorial staff.

Oct
13

KCS to replace crossties, improve grade crossings in Mississippi subdivision

Rail News Home Kansas City Southern 10/13/2016 Rail News: Kansas City Southern
Kansas City Southern announced Tuesday that it will spend $5.6 million this year on construction and improvement projects on its Louisville Subdivision in Mississippi.
 
KCS plans to make crosstie and grade-crossing improvements between Philadelphia and Newton, Miss., starting Oct. 25 through early November. Communities the Class I will work through include Philadelphia, Neshoba, Union, Decatur, and Newton, Miss.The work includes replacing 27,000 crossties and improving 26 grade crossings. In August, KCS announced a slate of construction and improvement projects in Texas and Louisiana. Contact Progressive Railroading editorial staff. More News from 10/13/2016

Oct
13

KCS to replace crossties, improve grade crossings in Mississippi subdivision

10/13/2016    

Rail News: Kansas City Southern

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Oct
13

CSX posts Q3 earnings decline on lower volumes

10/13/2016    

Rail News: CSX Transportation

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Oct
13

Despite a strong 2016 so far, the wood-tie market could soften in 2017 if freight-rail traffic doesn't pick up

Rail News Home MOW October 2016 Rail News: MOW

“It’s sometimes a balancing act to get the weather and supply of loggers to match up, but that is an industrywide challenge,” says Mike Pourney, president and chief executive officer of Gross & Janes Co., a tie supplier and shipper.Photo – GROSS & JANES CO. By Michael PopkeThe wood crosstie business might be at Mother Nature’s mercy more than other segments of the rail industry, but railroads can’t function without properly maintained tracks.The wood-tie industry suffers less than some supply segments because of railroads’ ongoing maintenance plans, which are “developed as part of an internal policy regarding optimizing maintenance,” says James Gauntt, executive director of the Railway Tie Association (RTA). “Since the late 1990s … railroads seem to have recognized that some maintenance items are more optimally procured as close to steady-state as possible.”As a result, wood-tie suppliers likely haven’t been hit as hard as others have in the wake of freight-rail traffic (and capex) declines. Additionally, Gauntt thinks that the industrial and short-line markets still have unmet needs for ties because of raw material shortages in recent years, and are building and maintaining tracks at higher-than-normal rates in 2016 — in part because wood-tie suppliers returned to normal production levels following a couple of the wettest weather years in recent memory.There’s also been trackwork in the short-line realm because of the certainty surrounding the Section 45G tax credit. In December 2015, Congress passed the fifth short-term extension of the tax credit, extending it through 2016. Section 45G provides regionals and short lines a 50 cent tax credit for every dollar they spend on track rehabilitation and maintenance, up to $3,500 for each mile of track they own or lease.Through 2016’s first seven months, wood-tie production rose 9 percent to 16.2 million units and purchases increased 6 percent to 15.7 million units compared with year-ago levels, according to RTA data.Overall, purchases have been in a “moderate upswing” since May 2015 and production has been in a “strong uptrend” since November 2014, according to an RTA market report issued in August.That said, tie production plunged 12.9 percent in July to 2.21 million units, while purchases dropped 11.8 percent to 2.2 million units from June levels, according to RTA. Compared with July 2015 data, production fell 7.6 percent, while purchases slipped 8.4 percent.If freight traffic does not increase dramatically during the fourth quarter, Gauntt predicts next year likely will be a little softer for wood-tie suppliers.For the most part, wood-tie manufacturers and tie treaters say they’re cautiously optimistic about the market’s prospects in the months ahead.“I think we will see continued growth through the end of this year, because production fell behind the last of couple of years due to wet weather, which hindered accumulation and production of ties,” says Tim Carey, product manager for Arch Wood Protection Inc., which treats wood used to produce ties.Indeed, heavy rains flooded large swathes of the southern and western United States in 2013, 2014 and 2015, resulting in waterlogged wood supplies and derailed inventories.“Crosstie production has continued to rebound nicely over the past year,” adds John Giallonardo, vice president of Class I sales and North American operations for wood-tie manufacturer Koppers Inc. “We have made tremendous progress in our effort to replenish the inventory levels of our Class I customers. All indications are that production will remain solid for the foreseeable future.”Stella-Jones’ George Caric agrees.“With the reduction in train traffic, the tie gangs have been able to gain efficiencies,” says Caric, vice president of marketing for the wood-tie manufacturer.And that’s the case even though some of his firm’s major projects have been stalled or cancelled because of weak market conditions in the coal and crude-oil sectors.“The Class Is have been hesitant to cut tie programs too deep for fear of letting the track structure suffer,” Caric says.Which is why 2016 essentially has been a rebound year for the wood-tie crowd.“It’s sometimes a balancing act to get the weather and supply of loggers to match up, but that is an industrywide challenge,” says Mike Pourney, president and chief executive officer of Gross & Janes Co., a tie supplier and shipper.Tie supply and demandAlthough 2016 so far has been drier than previous years in the United States, tropical summer weather in western and eastern procurement regions could slow down tie supply for awhile, Gauntt says. If it does, it could balance out the supply-and-demand equation.“Hardwood sawmillers have to find a home for everything they produce at the mill,” Gauntt says. “The last three years have seen some wild swings in demand for some of the other hardwood products, and managing that has been a real uphill battle for sawmills. Railroads and treating plants have had to contend not only with the weather, but also with how these other markets are faring.”In an effort to help keep track of procurement trends for ties in various regions, RTA in July unveiled the Procurement Trends Dashboard. Built to represent the monthly opinions of in-the-field tie buyers who procure untreated ties from sawmills in their specific regions, the dashboard displays data submitted to RTA within the first two weeks of the month following a specific reporting period. The output is available in monthly and yearly formats.In North America, there is no shortage of wood fiber for ties, says Gauntt. Nonetheless, manufacturers are cautious about the near term.“Last year, raw material supply struggled to keep pace with industry demand,” Koppers’ Giallonardo says. “However, with current demand softening a bit and raw material supply finally starting to get healthy again, we need to be cautious in how we proceed in the coming months. It is important for the entire industry that we protect the raw material supply base and avoid the pitfalls that we just recovered from.” Treatment innovations continueIncreasing interest in environmental and economic sustainability continues to drive innovation at railroads. It’s also sparking research and development among tie suppliers and treaters.In September, Gross & Janes announced it received a U.S. patent for a “two-step” borate pre-treatment dipping process and related equipment that the company developed to increase tie life. Forty percent of the 23.5 million ties produced in North America last year were treated with borate, according to RTA.“Gross & Janes was an early railroad industry proponent of using borate to enhance the life of crossties,” Pourney said in a statement about the patent, which will be used to produce Tuff-Tie™ crossties. “After years of monitoring borate in railroad crossties, we have succeeded in making the two-step application process more uniform and consistent. Receiving this patent validates decades of effort to incorporate borate as an additional component in treating a railroad tie.”Meanwhile, Nisus Corp.’s BTX® system for railroad bridge ties moved into the production phase at some treatment facilities this year.The process involves drilling and injecting green bridge ties with Cellutreat® liquid borate prior to pressure treatment. During the Boulton cycle, as a vacuum is drawn to remove moisture from the tie, the borate in the drilled reservoirs is drawn into the tie. Then the bridge ties are pressure-treated with QNAP™ copper naphthenate.Nisus also has added new borate and copper naphthenate treaters, with two more scheduled to begin operation in 2017, says Ken Laughlin, vice president of the company’s wood preservation division.At Stella-Jones, production teams are pre-plating bridge ties and building panelized bridge panels in an effort to increase safety and improve installation efficiency, Caric says. And Arch Wood Protection has a hot-oil, creosote-replacement preservative in pilot production in Europe, which the company eventually hopes to develop in the United States.Sustainability success storyRegardless of the production and purchasing fluctuations in the wood-tie industry, the product remains “one of the most sustainable resources on the planet,” says Arch Wood Protection’s Carey.For example, Arch Wood Protection’s Chemonite® and Wolmanac® industrial preservative systems are water-based and not dependent upon fossil fuels for a carrier, Carey says.“We strongly believe that wood is the most desirable building material, and we focus our extensive research, development, technical and engineering resources [on] developing new technologies that enhance the performance and increase the longevity of wood,” he adds.Last year, RTA hosted a popular session at BNSF Railway Co.’s Railroad Sustainability Symposium at the GE Training Center in Crotonville, N.Y., that focused on wood preservation and other environmental aspects of tie usage.“We not only have developed a significant story on our industry’s ability to be the most environmentally sound solution for tie production, but we continue to place emphasis on the incredibly powerful carbon sequestration story for wood,” Gauntt says.Wood products account for 47 percent of all raw materials manufactured in the United States, but during production use only 4 percent of the total energy consumed by U.S. manufacturers, he says.“Add in the fact that when we treat wood or produce any wood product that lasts for decades or more, we have effectively taken huge amounts of carbon out of the atmosphere and sequestered it for generations,” Gauntt says.Michael Popke is a Madison, Wis.-based freelance writer. Email comments or questions to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Keywords Browse articles on wood-tie market crossties wood ties Railway Tie Association Arch Wood Protection Stella-Jones Gross & Janes Nisus Koppers tie supply sustainability Contact Progressive Railroading editorial staff.

Oct
12

Short Line Safety Institute seeks to increase railroad assessments, expand education and research efforts

Rail News Home Short Lines & Regionals October 2016 Rail News: Short Lines & Regionals

Earlier this year, House Speaker Paul Ryan (R-Wis.) and ASLRRA President Linda Darr (side by side near photo’s center) attended a short-line safety briefing that included the SLSI as a topic.Photo – ASLRRA By This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., Managing EditorA pilot program is in the rearview mirror. So, the Short Line Safety Institute (SLSI) now is building speed as it heads toward a much-desired destination: safer work processes at regionals and short lines.SLSI is charged with assessing a regional’s or short line’s safety culture and performance, identifying and addressing any gaps, and providing education, training and research assistance. The American Short Line and Regional Railroad Association (ASLRRA) created the institute last year with the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA), Volpe National Transportation Systems Center and University of Connecticut.SLSI initially is targeting assessments — which are conducted confidentially to protect a participant’s identity — at the more than 200 railroads that transport crude oil and other hazardous materials.Institute leaders and staff aim to enhance or change approaches to work behaviors through voluntary partnerships with short lines to facilitate a best-possible safety culture, one that makes safety the top organizational priority.The six assessments completed last year under the pilot phase helped SLSI staffers develop tools and processes for measuring and evaluating 10 core elements of a safety culture, including committed leadership, continuous learning and open communication. They also devised ways to share results with an assessed railroad’s managers and crafted a plan for ongoing education, training and research.Through the six initial assessments and several others that have been conducted since the pilot ended, SLSI concluded that management must be visibly and consistently supportive of safety practices and the culture at their railroad.In addition, the institute found that safety practices should match documented safety plans and reflect every-day operations; managers seek fresh ideas and training opportunities to help prompt employees to perform at a high level of safety; and positive recognition instead of punitive action helps build trust among workers and supervisors.“We are seeing a lot of commonalities,” says ASLRRA President Linda Darr.Now, SLSI is working to perform more assessments and identify additional trends. The institute plans to complete a total of 14 assessments by year’s end, then conduct another 10 or so in 2017. The number of assessors recently doubled to eight to handle a busier workload.With the pace of assessments picking up, SLSI is gaining momentum, says Darr.“It’s starting to gel. We’re seeing progress,” she says.That progress was apparent in mid-September when Darr attended ASLRRA’s Eastern Region meeting in Indianapolis and talked with several managers of assessed short lines.“They told me it opened their eyes and that they were reinvigorated with their safety culture,” she says. “We got a lot of good feedback overall. We heard how helpful the process was.”Assessing the assessmentsTo get more regionals and short lines to buy into the institute’s mission, the staff is trying to improve the quality of the assessment process, says SLSI Executive Director Ron Hynes.An assessment — which typically takes three to five days to complete — involves a data-driven analysis of a participating railroad’s safety culture to provide the institute with a better understanding of industry-wide approaches and improvement opportunities. Assessors are assigned in teams of two based on the number of employees at a railroad; less than 30, two assessors; between 30 and 150, four assessors; and 150 or more, six assessors. Prior to the assessors’ arrival, an anonymous survey is sent to the railroad’s managers and employees. The assessment begins with a planning session attended by the railroad’s senior managers and SLSI leaders and staff. Then, assessors observe operations and conduct interviews with the railroad’s leaders, supervisors and employees according to a standardized protocol.A graphic shows the intended effects of SLSI’s four pillars: assessments, education/training, communication and research. Source: ASLRRAAn assessment tends to be more successful if both parties are willing partners, says Hynes.“The assessments are an invitation into their businesses. It takes a commitment from them and from us,” says Hynes. “We take a look at the risks on the railroad and have a conversation. It’s not a one-and-done kind of situation. We want to determine how to maintain the culture going forward.” The assessors and institute staff are experienced railroaders, with 20 to 40 years of service at various Class Is and short lines. The assessors try to be flexible when working with a railroad, says Hynes.“Even if it means a 6 a.m. meeting because that’s the time the managers are available, the assessors will be there then,” he says.Refresher courseThey also will work over a weekend to write a final report immediately after an assessment. Through the pilot phase and shortly afterward, assessors had completed their work during weekdays, then went home and wrote the final report. But other priorities tended to pop up, causing distractions that sometimes delayed reports for months, says SLSI Senior Safety and Operations Manager Mike Long.“Now, the entire team spends that Saturday and Sunday writing the report while it’s fresh in their minds, and gives it to the railroad by Monday,” he says. “Then it’s a timely assessment for the railroad.”Several months after a final report is issued, the institute will follow up with the assessed railroad via a phone call or survey to gauge safety performance and whether any changes that were made remain in place. Reports issued so far have noted that many workers want to see their managers in a more positive light, says Long.“It’s amazing how far a handshake or a pat on the back goes,” he says. “We also found that coaching is a widespread desire for employees. All too often, their only interaction with a manager is when they do efficiency testing.”In addition, assessors have learned that some employees with less than five years of experience claim they work safe, but don’t always follow the safety rules.“They say what they do is better than the rules. But all it takes is one time of not beating the odds,” says Long.One other outgrowth from the assessments: discovering a process or approach that could serve as a benchmark for other regionals and short lines. For example, one assessed railroad provided its employees a free “tailgate lunch” if they did a good job or performed something the right way, says Long. Such a reward could be replicated elsewhere, he believes.Getting the word out about benchmarks and trends is part of SLSI’s internal and external communication efforts. Communication is one of the institute’s four foundational “pillars,” along with the assessments, education/training and research, says SLSI Programs Manager Michele Malski.To reach out externally, the institute is developing a website and a social media presence, says Malski. SLSI has Facebook and Twitter accounts, and is developing a LinkedIn page.In terms of education and training, the institute recently launched a webinar series on hazmat safety. Six free pre-recorded webinars focus on safety training, including ones pertaining to chloride and ammonia. The goal is to add two additional webinars per month, says Malski.“We want to keep a webinar library to create a big repository of information,” she says.SLSI also wants to establish itself as a short-line safety researcher. The institute aims to build on knowledge available about safety cultures in other industries as well as research conducted by the FRA, insurance companies, and railroads that have developed safety and behavioral-based education programs.With research work just starting to ramp up, one target will be the trends that are identified via the assessments, says Malski.In the meantime, SLSI also is exploring e-learning resources — such as tests or forums — and hands-on training opportunities. At the Eastern Region meeting in Indianapolis, ASLRRA and SLSI held two new training sessions: one that involved attendees answering questions about safety via their smartphones and one that involved group discussions about hypothetical safety situations. Similar sessions likely will be held at future regional meetings featuring different hypothetical scenarios.ASLRRA members had expressed an interest in different-from-the-norm sessions at the meetings, says Malski.“It gets people to participate and bring their own experiences to it, and gets them to think differently about safety,” she says. “It creates open and effective communication.”An evolutionary processThat’s why the institute was created. And to keep it going, additional federal funding will be key, says Darr. Congress provided SLSI $500,000 in fiscal-year 2015 to develop the pilot and $1.9 million in FY2016 to continue enhancing the program.The enhancements figure to keep coming, says Darr.“The institute will evolve over time to help support the industry on the gaps that we find and on the hot issues of the day, like drug and alcohol testing,” she says.Ultimately, SLSI strives to provide the industry a deeper understanding of the organizational, societal, economic and other factors that might impact safety performance and conformance at regionals and short lines.“We want to become a risk-reduction source for railroads and help get the accident ratio down,” says Hynes
Keywords Browse articles on Short Line Safety Institute American Short Line and Regional Railroad Association Federal Railroad Administration Contact Progressive Railroading editorial staff.

Oct
11

G3 Canada opens CN-served grain elevator in Manitoba

Rail News Home Canadian National Railway - CN 10/11/2016 Rail News: Canadian National Railway - CN G3 Canada Ltd. last week marked the grand opening of its new grain elevator in Glenlea, Manitoba, which will be served by CN.The facility is the fourth high-efficiency elevator opened by G3 since August 2015, according to a company press release.Construction on the Glenlea facility began in fall 2014. It features a 34-car loop track capable of loading a full unit train while in continuous motion, and a high-capacity drag under the driveway enabling farmers to unload a super-B in five minutes or less without moving, company officials said."G3 Glenlea is the latest addition to our network, and is providing local farmers with a new partner for their grain business," said G3 Chief Executive Officer Karl Gerrand. Contact Progressive Railroading editorial staff. More News from 10/11/2016

Oct
11

G3 Canada opens CN-served grain elevator in Manitoba

10/11/2016    

Rail News: Canadian National Railway - CN

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Oct
11

Hurricane Matthew prompts NS to invoke 'force majeure' in North Carolina

Rail News Home Norfolk Southern Railway 10/11/2016 Rail News: Norfolk Southern Railway Norfolk Southern Railway told its customers yesterday that it invoked a "force majeure" clause for traffic destined for areas east of Selma, N.C.NS is working to restore service east of Selma to New Bern, N.C., after the Class I experienced multiple washouts during Hurricane Matthew over the weekend. As a result, the railroad invoked the force majeure contract clause starting Oct. 7 for traffic destined to the Chocowinity, Goldsboro and New Bern areas. The railroad said it would provide updates on when the line can be returned to service.A force majeure clause is a contract provision that allows a party to suspend certain performance guarantees as a result of unanticipated disruptions to normal service conditions. Contact Progressive Railroading editorial staff. More News from 10/11/2016

Oct
11

Hurricane Matthew prompts NS to invoke 'force majeure' in North Carolina

10/11/2016    

Rail News: Norfolk Southern Railway

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Oct
11

Progressive Railroading's Passenger Rail at a Glance 2016: Preface

Rail News Home Passenger Rail October 2016 Part 1 : Progressive Railroading's Passenger Rail at a Glance 2016: Preface Part 2 : Progressive Railroading’s Passenger Rail at a Glance 2016: Amtrak and transit agencies in Arizona & California Part 3 : Progressive Railroading’s Passenger Rail at a Glance 2016: Colorado, Florida, & Georgia Part 4 : Progressive Railroading’s Passenger Rail at a Glance 2016: Illinois, New Jersey, & New York Part 5 : Progressive Railroading’s Passenger Rail at a Glance 2016: Ohio and Pennsylvania Part 6 : Progressive Railroading’s Passenger Rail at a Glance 2016: Texas & Washington Rail News: Passenger Rail

By This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., Senior Associate EditorMeeting state-of-good-repair needs, completing capital repairs and expansions, and implementing positive train control (PTC) — all at the same time. That describes the balancing act that’s keeping transit agency leaders busy this year, according to survey responses the agencies sent to Progressive Railroading for the 2016 edition of “Passenger Rail At a Glance.”Many of the high-priority topics cited on the 2016 surveys are holdovers from previous years’ surveys. One challenge that transit officials cited in past surveys that was missing this year: uncertainty over federal funding and PTC. Since last year’s “Passenger Rail At a Glance” was published, Congress passed the five-year Fixing America’s Surface Transportation (FAST) Act, and extended the deadline from 2015 to 2020 for railroads to install and launch their PTC systems. But the challenge of implementing PTC remains at the top of transit agency execs’ minds.On the funding side, some agencies feel a bit more confident with the FAST Act in place, which provides federal funding for transportation programs through 2020. In addition, some states and/or local communities are helping transit agencies fill the funding gap. Several agencies this November are pursuing local ballot measures that would increase sales taxes or local fees to pay for transit expansion programs, while others cited increased funding from state coffers.Finally, many agencies noted they’re continuing with major expansion plans that have been underway for some time. One gigantic project that’s been talked about for years moved forward late last month: the rehabilitation and expansion of Penn Station/Farley Post Office Building in Manhattan. New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced Sept. 27 that Related Cos., Vornado Realty LP and Skanska AB had been selected as the developer-builder team for the $1.6 billion project, which will develop Penn Station and the Farley building across the street into a 255,000-square-foot train hall for Amtrak and MTA Long Island Rail Road trains.The project will create a transportation hub that also will feature larger concourses, retail and office space. Once completed, the new Penn Station/Farley Train Hall will be a world-class facility that surpasses Grand Central Terminal in size, according to Cuomo.Although the Penn Station project was announced too late to be included in this year’s guide listings, it is a striking example of the flourishing interest in U.S. passenger-rail services. next page
Keywords Browse articles on passenger rail PTC FAST Act Contact Progressive Railroading editorial staff.

Oct
11

Progressive Railroading’s Passenger Rail at a Glance 2016: Amtrak and transit agencies in Arizona & California

Rail News Home Passenger Rail October 2016 Part 1 : Progressive Railroading's Passenger Rail at a Glance 2016: Preface Part 2 : Progressive Railroading’s Passenger Rail at a Glance 2016: Amtrak and transit agencies in Arizona & California Part 3 : Progressive Railroading’s Passenger Rail at a Glance 2016: Colorado, Florida, & Georgia Part 4 : Progressive Railroading’s Passenger Rail at a Glance 2016: Illinois, New Jersey, & New York Part 5 : Progressive Railroading’s Passenger Rail at a Glance 2016: Ohio and Pennsylvania Part 6 : Progressive Railroading’s Passenger Rail at a Glance 2016: Texas & Washington Rail News: Passenger Rail

AMTRAKOPERATING EXPENSE: $650 MILLIONAmtrak is the U.S. intercity passenger railroad.Service launched: 1971
Rolling stock: Amtrak-owned or leased, active equipment includes 20 Acela Express high-speed trainsets; 389 locomotives; two Cascades Service trainsets; more than 1,500 passenger cars, including Amfleet, Superliner, Viewliner, Auto Train vehicle carriers, baggage cars and other types. In 2016, Amtrak received its final Amtrak Cities sprinter (ACS-64) electric locomotive to complete the order of 70 delivered by Siemens.
Annual ridership: 30.8 million (FY2015)
Annual operating expense: $650 million (requested for FY2017)
Annual capital expenditures: $920 million (requested for FY2017)
Stations: 500-plusMajor capital improvement projects underway or scheduled to begin within the year:
Amtrak is contracting with Alstom to produce 28 next-generation high-speed trainsets to replace the equipment used to provide Amtrak’s premium Acela Express service. The contract is part of a $2.45 billion investment in infrastructure upgrades on the heavily traveled Northeast Corridor (NEC). The investment includes significant station improvements at Washington Union Station, Moynihan Station New York, as well as track capacity and ride quality improvements to the NEC that will benefit the Acela Express riders and other Amtrak and commuter passengers. Amtrak will also modify fleet maintenance facilities to accommodate the new trains. The prototype trainset is expected to be delivered in 2019 with the first trainset expected to enter revenue service in 2021.VALLEY METROOPERATING COST: $31 MILLIONValley Metro is the regional public transportation agency providing coordinated, multimodal transit options to residents of greater Phoenix. With a core mission of advancing a network of transit services, Valley Metro plans, develops and operates the regional bus and light-rail systems and alternative transportation programs for commuters, seniors and people with disabilities.Service launched: Light rail, 2008
Miles per mode: Light rail, 26
Rolling stock: Light-rail vehicles, 50; average age, 6.5 years
Annual ridership: Light rail, 14,276,884
Annual operating cost: $31,288,715
Annual capital cost: $27,925,004 (light rail)
Stations: 35
Major capital improvement projects underway include:
• Gilbert Road Extension, a 1.9-mile extension of light rail that will travel on Main Street east to Gilbert Road in downtown Mesa. Groundbreaking is scheduled for fall 2016. Jacobs Engineering Group Inc. is finalizing the project’s design. Stacy and Witbeck/Sundt is the project contractor. Capital cost for this project is $152.7 million, with completion scheduled for late 2018.
• 50th Street Station, a new light-rail station and platform that will be constructed along Valley Metro’s rail alignment on Washington and 50th streets in Phoenix. Cost for this project is $22.94 million. Groundbreaking is scheduled for spring 2017, with completion scheduled for 2019.BAY AREA RAPID TRANSIT*OPERATING EXPENSE: $691.5 MILLIONBay Area Rapid Transit (BART) is a heavy-rail system serving the San Francisco Bay area.Service began: 1972
Miles: 107 (track)
Rolling stock: BART has 669 revenue vehicles composed of 59 A2 cars, 389 B2 cars, 150 C1 cars and 80 C2 cars in its fleet. BART is replacing and expanding its existing fleet of 669 cars with the first of 775 new cars scheduled to start arriving this year. The agency is working on funding for 306 more cars to get to 1,081.
Annual ridership: 129 million trips (estimated FY2016)
Annual capital budget: $888.5 million (FY2017)
Annual operating expense: (subtotal) $691.5 million (FY2017)
Total stations: 45
Major capital projects: Construction is underway or expected to begin next year on the Concord Station and Downtown Berkeley BART Plaza modernization plans; Balboa Park Phase 2 Eastside project; East Contra Costa BART Extension; and the VTA/BART Silicon Valley Extension. Also, BART staff is developing conceptual engineering and a project-level Draft Environmental Impact Report for a proposed 4.8-mile BART extension along Interstate-580 from the existing Dublin/Pleasanton Station to a new station near the Isabel Avenue interchange.*Information source: www.bart.gov.CALTRAINOPERATING BUDGET: $146 MILLIONCaltrain is a commuter-rail system that provides service between San Francisco and Gilroy, Calif. It operates 92 weekday trains, 36 Saturday trains, and 32 Sunday trains. Caltrain is governed by the Peninsula Joint Powers Board.Service launched: 1992
Route miles: 77
Rolling stock: 29 locomotives, average age 26 years; 134 passenger-rail cars, average age 24.
Annual ridership: 19.2 million passengers (FY2016)
Annual operating budget: $146.4 million (FY2017)
Annual capital budget: $250.9 million (FY2017)
Number of stations: 32, including 29 regular stations, two weekend-only stations and one special events station.
Major projects underway include:
• San Mateo 25th Avenue grade separation: The project will raise the elevation of the tracks for a portion of the tracks in San Mateo, eliminate an at-grade crossing at 25th Avenue, and create two new grade separated crossings at 31st and 28th avenues. The existing station at Hillsdale Boulevard will also be relocated. The city of San Mateo and Caltrain are doing the work. The project cost is $180 million, funded by city, county sales tax, state and high-speed rail contributions. Project designer is HDR Inc. Design completion is expected by 2016’s end, with award of the construction contract and start of construction forecast to begin in mid-2017. Completion is slated for 2020. Vali Cooper & Associates is the construction manager.
• South San Francisco Station improvements: Realign tracks, relocate and construct a new center board platform, and construct a pedestrian underpass in the city of South San Francisco. A new pedestrian underpass will be built to allow safe access to the station. Project cost is $55 million, with most funding coming from local and county sources. HNTB began the design, and it is now being updated by Railway Surveyors & Engineers Inc. to reflect recent changes in regulations and area land developments. Design completion is expected by 2016’s end and construction is slated to begin by mid-2017. Completion: 2019.L.A. COUNTY METROPOLITAN TRANSPORTATION AUTHORITYOPERATING COST: $290 MILLION (Rail)The Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro) serves as the principal transportation planner and coordinator, designer, builder and operator for Los Angeles County, where more than 9.6 million people live and work in its 1,433-mile service area.Service launched: Light rail, 1990; heavy rail, 1993
Route miles: Light rail, 86 miles; heavy rail, 16 miles
Rolling stock: 104 heavy-rail vehicles, average age 18.7 years; 203 light-rail vehicles, average age 13.1 years; 46 light-rail vehicles under construction or in delivery, with options for 157 additional light-rail vehicles. Expected delivery is ongoing. Manufacturer is Kinkisharyo.
Annual ridership: light rail, 62,775,098; heavy rail, 47,506,711
Annual operations cost: $201,778,160 for light rail; $88,018,931 for heavy rail.
Annual capital cost: $147,715,000, light and heavy rail combined
Stations: 77 light rail, 16 heavy railMajor projects underway:
• Crenshaw/LAX Line, a Light-rail line between the Expo Line at Exposition/Crenshaw Station and the Green Line at Aviation/LAX Station; 8.5 miles; eight stations and a maintenance facility. Underground, street-run, private-right-of-way, aerial. Project cost: $2 billion. Contractors: Walsh-Shea Corridor Constructors and Hensel Phelps/Herzog. Under construction, with revenue service scheduled for 2019.
• Regional Connector, a light-rail line between the Blue and Expo lines at 7th Street/Metro Center and Gold Line at First and Alameda; 1.9-miles; three stations. Underground. When completed, the Gold, Blue and Expo lines will be reconfigured into two operating lines, with one operating from Long Beach to Azusa and the other operating from Santa Monica to East Los Angeles. Project cost: $1.5 billion. Contractors: Skanska-Traylor Regional Connector Constructors Joint Venture. Under construction, with revenue service scheduled for 2020.
• Westside Purple Line Extension, a heavy-rail line between Wilshire/Western Station and the VA Hospital Station in West Los Angeles; 9 miles; seven stations. Underground. The project is being built in three phases, with the first phase consisting of 3.9 miles to Wilshire/La Cienega. Cost: $3.15 billion (Phase I). Contractors: Skanska, Traylor Brothers Inc. and J.F. Shea Construction Joint Venutre (Phase I). Under construction, with Phase I revenue service scheduled for 2024.
• Light-rail vehicles, a base order for 78 Kinkisharyo light-rail vehicles, with 32 in revenue service and 46 under construction or in the delivery/acceptance process. Additional options have been approved for 157 vehicles following the base order. Cost: $890 million.Projects yet to be let:
• Westside Purple Line Segment 2, which involves La Cienega Station to Century City Station.
• Emergency Operations Center/Security Operations Center, now in preliminary engineering. Procurement for design-build to begin in 2017.
• L.A. County Traffic Improvement Plan, also known as “Measure M,” a half-cent sales tax for transit projects, on the Nov. 8 general election ballot. If the measure passes, a large number of rail projects in the county will be funded or accelerated. Those projects and their timelines include: Westside Purple Line Segment 3, FY24; Gold Line Foothill Extension to Claremont/Montclair, FY25; Sepulveda Pass Line Phase I, FY26; East San Fernando Valley Line, FY27; West Santa Ana Branch Phase I Light-Rail Line, FY28; Green and Crenshaw Line Extension (South Bay Light Rail), FY30; Sepulveda Pass Line Phase 2, FY33; Gold Line Eastside Extension (South El Monte or Whittier Corridor TBD), FY35; West Santa Ana Branch Phase 2, FY41; Crenshaw Line Northern Extension FY47; Green Line Eastern Extension FY52; Sepulveda Pass Line Phase 3 (Expo to LAX/96th Street Station), FY53; Orange Line Conversion to Light-Rail Transit, FY57; Gold Line Eastside Extension (South El Monte or Whittier Corridor TBD), FY57.SAN FRANCISCO MUNICIPAL TRANSPORTATION AGENCYOPERATING BUDGET: $940 MILLIONThe San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency (SFMTA) plans, designs, builds, operates, regulates and maintains one of the most diverse transportation networks in the world. The agency directly oversees five transit modes — bus, trolley bus, light rail, historic streetcar and cable car — in addition to overseeing paratransit service.Service launched: Light rail, 1974.
Miles per mode: Light rail, 71.5
Rolling stock: 151 light-rail vehicles, average age 15; 215 cars/locomotives on order for delivery this year through 2027.
Annual ridership: 49 million
Annual operating budget: $940 million (Adopted FY2016)
Annual capital projects: $23.2 million (Adopted FY2016)
Stations: 10Major capital improvement projects underway:
• Central subway, $1.65 billion. The project will construct a modern, efficient light-rail line that will improve public transportation in San Francisco. This new 1.7-mile extension of Muni’s T Third Line will provide direct connections to major retail, sporting and cultural venues, while efficiently transporting people to jobs, education and other amenities. The Central Subway is designed to improve transit options for residents of one of the most densely populated neighborhoods in the nation, provide a rapid transit link to a burgeoning technology and digital media hub, and improve access to the commercial district and tourist attractions. Stops will be in South of Market (SoMa), Yerba Buena, Union Square and Chinatown. previous page next page
Keywords Browse articles on Amtrak Valley Metro Bay Area Rapid Transit Caltrain Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency Contact Progressive Railroading editorial staff.

Oct
11

Progressive Railroading’s Passenger Rail at a Glance 2016: Colorado, Florida, & Georgia

Rail News Home Passenger Rail October 2016 Part 1 : Progressive Railroading's Passenger Rail at a Glance 2016: Preface Part 2 : Progressive Railroading’s Passenger Rail at a Glance 2016: Amtrak and transit agencies in Arizona & California Part 3 : Progressive Railroading’s Passenger Rail at a Glance 2016: Colorado, Florida, & Georgia Part 4 : Progressive Railroading’s Passenger Rail at a Glance 2016: Illinois, New Jersey, & New York Part 5 : Progressive Railroading’s Passenger Rail at a Glance 2016: Ohio and Pennsylvania Part 6 : Progressive Railroading’s Passenger Rail at a Glance 2016: Texas & Washington Rail News: Passenger Rail

REGIONAL TRANSPORTATION DISTRICT OF DENVER*OPERATING BUDGET: $635 MILLIONThe Regional Transportation District of Denver (RTD) was created in 1969 by the Colorado General Assembly to develop, operate and maintain a mass transportation system for the benefit of 2.87 million people in RTD’s service area. The 2,340-square-mile district serves all or part of eight counties: Boulder, Broomfield, Denver, Jefferson, Adams, Arapahoe, Douglas and Weld.Light-rail service launched: 1994
Route miles: 48
Rolling stock: 172 light-rail vehicles
Annual ridership: 25.5 million boardings on light-rail transit (2015)
Total annual operating budget: $635.4 million (2016)
Total annual capital budget:: $1.6 billion (2016)
Stations: 46Rail lines under construction:
• Gold Line, an 11.2-mile electric commuter-rail line that will connect Union Station to Wheat Ridge, passing through northwest Denver, Adams County and Arvada. Slated to open in fall 2016.
• I-225 Rail Line, a 10.2 mile light-rail line through Aurora with eight stations that will provide regional connections to East and Southeast rail lines. Slated to open in Winter 2016.
• North Metro Line, an 18.5-mile electric commuter-rail line, with 12.5 miles under construction. The line will connect Union Station with Commerce City, Northglenn, Thornton and North Adams County. Design and construction of the corridor from Union Station to 124th Avenue is underway; the remainder will be built as funds become available. The 12.5-mile section is slated to open in 2018.
Future projects include:
• Central Extension, a 0.8-mile light-rail extension with three stations, will serve as a way for commuters in central downtown to connect with the line to the airport.
• Southeast Extension, a 2.3-mile light-rail extension of the Southeast Rail Line from Lincoln Station to RidgeGate Parkway in Lone Tree.
• Southwest Extension, 2.5-mile light-rail extension from Mineral Station to Lucent Boulevard in Highlands Ranch.* Information source: www.rtd-denver.comSUNRAILOPERATING COST: $34 millionThe Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) is charged with construction, operating and maintaining SunRail, a commuter-rail service operating in Central Florida. SunRail’s first phase opened for revenue service in May 2014, with 12 stations spanning 32 miles and three counties. A second phase, adding four new stations and extending service south into Osceola County, began construction in April and is expected to be completed in 2018. In 2021, the operation and maintenance of SunRail and all associated costs will revert to local government partners in Orange, Osceola, Seminole and Volusia counties, as well as the city of Orlando.Service launched: May 2014
Miles per mode: 32 (phase I)
Rolling stock: 10 locomotives, rebuilt in 2013; 20 rail cars, average age 3 years; one locomotive and two coaches are on order with expected delivery in 2018.
Annual ridership: 1 million
Annual operating cost: $34.4 million
Annual capital cost: NA
Stations: 12Major projects underway: In April, construction began on a 17.2 mile, $187 million southern extension of SunRail into Osceola County (four additional stations). FDOT is working with local, state and federal funding partners to further expand service north to DeLand in Volusia County, which would complete the 61.5-mile system.Future projects: When fully built, SunRail will span 61.5 miles, with 17 stations, linking Volusia, Seminole, Orange and Osceola counties. The total project capital costs for phases 1, 2 North and 2 South is $615 million.METROPOLITAN ATLANTA RAPID TRANSIT AUTHORITY*OPERATING COST: $448.5 MILLIONThe Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA) is the principal rapid-transit system in the Atlanta metropolitan area. The agency operates almost exclusively in Fulton, Clayton and DeKalb counties, with bus service to two destinations in Cobb County and a single rail station in Clayton County at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport.Service launched: Heavy rail, 1979
Route miles: 48, heavy rail
Rolling stock: 338 rail cars
Annual ridership: 72 million on heavy rail, unlinked passenger trips (2015)*
Annual operating cost: $448.5 million (MARTA’s total net operating expenses for FY2016)
Annual capital cost: $283 million (FY2016 Capital Improvement Program, proposed)
Stations: 38Major projects: Atlanta voters on Nov. 8 will consider a ballot measure that asks for a half-penny sales tax levy that would raise an estimated $2.5 billion over the next 40 years to support some MARTA projects. Among the projects that could be built if the referendum passes is a light-rail line that would connect areas of southwest Atlanta, a transit station at Greenbriar Mall, on-demand circulators that operate in neighborhoods, infill stations, additional fixed-bus routes and other enhancements and expansion initiatives that would link to the Atlanta BeltLine as well as MARTA’s existing bus-and-rail network.Information sources: *www.itsmarta.com,
** APTA Public Transportation Ridership Report previous page next page
Keywords Browse articles on Regional Transportation District of Denver SunRail Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority Contact Progressive Railroading editorial staff.

Oct
11

Progressive Railroading’s Passenger Rail at a Glance 2016: Illinois, New Jersey, & New York

Rail News Home Passenger Rail October 2016 Part 1 : Progressive Railroading's Passenger Rail at a Glance 2016: Preface Part 2 : Progressive Railroading’s Passenger Rail at a Glance 2016: Amtrak and transit agencies in Arizona & California Part 3 : Progressive Railroading’s Passenger Rail at a Glance 2016: Colorado, Florida, & Georgia Part 4 : Progressive Railroading’s Passenger Rail at a Glance 2016: Illinois, New Jersey, & New York Part 5 : Progressive Railroading’s Passenger Rail at a Glance 2016: Ohio and Pennsylvania Part 6 : Progressive Railroading’s Passenger Rail at a Glance 2016: Texas & Washington Rail News: Passenger Rail

CHICAGO TRANSIT AUTHORITY*OPERATING BUDGET: $1.5 billionOperates rail service on eight routes, as well as bus service, in Chicago and 35 suburbs.Service launched: 1947
Route miles: 224 track miles; 211,042 rail miles traveled per day
Rolling stock: 1,492 rail cars
Annual rail ridership: 241 million (2015 forecast)
Annual operating budget: $1.475 billion (2016)
Annual capital budget: $638 million
Stations: 145
Major projects underway:
The CTA’s 2016 budget continues the $5 billion of transit modernization begun under Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel in 2011. CTA continues the reconstruction of major rail stations, including the 95th Street and Wilson on the Red Line, as well as the modernization of the Blue Line O’Hare branch and portions of the Purple Line Express and Brown Line. In addition, CTA is continuing extensive planning necessary to pursue a complete rebuild of the Red and Purple lines north of Belmont and to extend the Red Line south from its southern end at 95th Street to 130th Street.*Information source: CTA website, 2016 budget report.METRAOPERATING COST: $759.8 millionMetra provides commuter-rail service in Cook, DuPage, Will, Lake, Kane and McHenry counties in northeastern Illinois.Service launched: 1984 (Metra)
Miles per mode: 487.7 miles, commuter rail
Rolling stock: 146 locomotives, average age 28 years; 837 rail cars, average age 29 years; 186 M-U electric cars, average age 2.4 years.
Annual ridership: 83.6 million
Annual operating cost: $759.8 million
Annual capital cost: $185.7 million
Stations: 241
Late 2016 procurement plans: UP North Bridge project, Phase 2 (11 bridges and inbound portion of Ravenswood Station); UP West 3rd track project.
Major 2017 procurement plans: Renovation of the historic Van Buren Street Station; replacement and expansion of the Z100 Bridge over the Fox River on the Milwaukee West.PATCOOPERATING COST: $54.5 MILLIONThe Port Authority Transit Corp. (PATCO) operates a rapid transit line from Center City, Philadelphia, to Lindenwold, N.J.Service launched: Heavy rail, 1969
Miles per mode: 14.5
Rolling stock: 120 rail cars; average age is 42 years.
Annual ridership: 10.4 million
Annual operating cost: $54.5 million
Annual capital cost: $72.3 million
Stations: 13Major capital projects underway or scheduled to begin within the next year include:
• Transit car overhaul. This $194 million project refurbishes all 120 rail cars in PATCO’s fleet. As of September 2016, 36 rail cars have been refurbished. Estimated completion is 2018.
• Westmont Viaduct project. This $14.5 million project will replace the rails and fasteners along the structure that supports the PATCO train. Work will occur on a 2,000-foot section for the PATCO line adjacent to and through the Westmont Station. Estimated completion is 2018.Projects with contracts yet to be let include:
• Lindenwold Yard rehabilitation. This $45 million project consists of track rehabilitation, turnout switch rehabilitation, electrical improvements to the PATCO storage yard and maintenance building approach tracks. Anticipated construction start date is early 2017.
• Elevator installation. PATCO is designing and planning work for new elevators at the Ashland, Haddonfield, Westmont, Collingswood, City Hall and 12/13th & Locust Street stations. The project is part of a $28 million program to install elevators in all currently unequipped PATCO stations. Constructed is anticipated to start in early 2017.
• Hall and way interlocking rehabilitation. This $2.5 million project consists of turnout and switch replacement in two interlockings.
• Embankment restoration, Phase 5. This $8 million project will work on restoring embankments along the right of way, drainage improvements and rehabilitation of trackway retaining walls at various locations along the system.
• Electrical substation equipment replacement program. This $9.2 million, multi-year program will replace electrical breakers, switches and electrical gear in electrical substations. Most equipment is original to when the system was constructed in the late 1960s.MTA LONG ISLAND RAIL ROADOPERATING COST: $1.9 BILLIONThe MTA Long Island Railroad (LIRR) is the largest commuter railroad in the United States. Chartered in 1834, it extends from three major New York City terminals — Penn Station, Atlantic Terminal and Hunterspoint Avenue — through a major transfer hub at Jamaica to the easternmost tip of Long Island.Service launched: 1834
Miles per mode: 594, commuter
Rolling stock: 45 locomotives, average age 18; 170 M-3 cars, age 31 years; 134 C-3 coaches, age 18 years; 836 M-7 cars, age 11 years. Cars/locomotives on order: 92 Kawasaki EMU cars, with delivery expected June 2018-January 2019.
Annual ridership: 87,648,046
Annual operating cost: $1.9 billion (2016)
Annual capital cost: NA
Stations: 124
Major capital improvement projects underway: LIRR is progressing with capital projects funded in the Metropolitan Transportation Authority’s (MTA) 2015-2019 capital program. The LIRR portion of this program totals $2.83 billion.
Major projects yet to be let:
• Double Track Phase II will complete the construction of full second track between Farmingdale and Ronkonkoma on the LIRR’s Main Line. Currently, this segment of the railroad is largely single track with selected passing sidings. Construction of Phase I is underway. This project will greatly improve service reliability, allow for faster recovery from operational incidents, while also allowing for half-hourly bi-directional service during off-peak periods and improving access to Long Island MacArthur Airport.
• Jamaica Capacity Phase II will advance efforts to modernize and improve the track-level infrastructure in Jamaica, the LIRR’s key transfer hub in Queens. Work to be progressed during the 2015-2019 Capital Program includes design of a master track layout, which involves reconfiguration of track and switches and a significant modification of train routing through the Jamaica complex. This will support higher speed switches, more streamlined operations and increased Jamaica throughput. Also, included as part of this capital program is a design of a new signal system for Jamaica, which will address significant state-of-good-repair needs and provide a modernized signal system that will facilitate future track configurations.MTA METRO-NORTH RAILROADOPERATING COST: $1.5 BILLIONMTA Metro-North was created in 1983 when the MTA assumed control of Conrail’s suburban and commuter operations in the states of New York and Connecticut. Metro-North operates three main lines — the Hudson, Harlem and New Haven — each extending over 70 miles north and east from Grand Central Terminal in Manhattan and serving 111 stations. The 95-mile Port Jervis and 30-mile Pascack Valley lines west of the Hudson River extend north from New Jersey Transit’s terminal in Hoboken, N.J., connecting with service from Penn Station, N.Y., at Secaucus Transfer, and serving 11 stations in New York.Service launched: 1983
Miles per mode: 391
Rolling stock: 69 locomotives, average age 17 years; 268 rail cars, average age 14 years
Annual ridership: 86.6 million
Annual operating cost: $1.47 billion
Annual capital cost: $464.2 million
Stations: 124, including Grand Central and Suffern. Suffern is in the state of New York, but operated by NJ Transit.Major capital improvements underway:
• Positive Train Control. Metro-North is spending $367 million in its 2005-09, 2010-14 and 2015-19 capital programs (along with an additional $157 million from Connecticut Department of Transportation) to comply with the Rail Safety Improvement Act of 2008, which requires full implementation of a PTC system by Dec. 31, 2018. SYSTRA and AECOM are providing design services, and Bombardier Transportation is serving as the systems integrator.
• Harmon Emu Shop. The shop is Metro-North’s oldest, largest and most critical rolling stock maintenance facility, servicing nearly 500 EMUs, more than 200 coaches and 55 locomotives. Over the past 20 years, Metro-North has spent $500 million in four phases to replace the shop facilities, originally built in 1910, with state-of-the-art maintenance capabilities. Replacement of the main shop (Phase V), where EMUs were traditionally repaired and the last shop facility to be replaced, is underway and includes two stages. Phase V Stage I ($315 million funded under the 2010-14 capital program) includes the design-build of a consist shop and a new stand-alone wheel shop (EMU Annex). Construction is underway with completion anticipated in 2018. Phase V Stage II includes the design-build of running repair and support shops ($431 million funded under the 2015-19 capital program). Preliminary design is underway with construction anticipated to begin in 2018.
• Hurricane Sandy repairs: In October 2012, Hurricane Sandy submerged significant portions of the Hudson Line, damaging track and immersing over 30 miles of signal and power systems from Harlem to Croton Harmon in highly corrosive saltwater. Metro-North is repairing the right of way and replacing signal and power infrastructure, hardening systems to the maximum extent feasible considering the location immediately adjacent to the Hudson River. Design for the signal and power replacement by Gannett Fleming is completed, and a design-build contract awarded to Judlau-TC Electric Joint Venture in May 2015 to construct the segment of the Hudson Line from Tarrytown to Croton-Harmon to be followed by the Bronx to Tarrytown segment.MTA NEW YORK CITY TRANSIT*OPERATING BUDGET: $11 BILLIONThe subway opened in 1904. It travels through underground tunnels and elevated structures in the boroughs of Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, and the Bronx. On Staten Island, New York City Transit’s (NYCT) Staten Island Railway links 22 communities.Track miles: 662
Rolling stock: 6,407 rail cars
Annual ridership: 2.4 billion (includes bus, paratransit)
Annual operating budget: $10.9 billion (2016)
Capital budget: NA
Stations: 469Projects underway include:
NYCT’s current, ongoing and future capital projects include the purchase of 940 subway cars, modernizing six signal interlockings, replacing more than 73 miles of track, and rehabbing stations.*Information source: www.mta.info/nyctPORT AUTHORITY TRANS-HUDSON*OPERATING EXPENSES: $390 MILLIONThe Port Authority of Trans-Hudson (PATH) is operated by the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey (PANYNJ). PATH was established as an agency subsidiary in 1962. It provides heavy-rail rapid transit between Manhattan and New Jersey.Route miles: 14
Rolling stock: 350 active vehicles
Annual ridership: 78.7 million trips expected in 2016
Annual operating expense: $390 million
Annual operating capital budget: $290 million
Stations: 13: 6 in Manhattan and 7 in New Jersey.Major projects planned for 2016:
• Opening the final sections of the World Trade Center Transportation Hub;
• $192 million for critical state of repair work, including Hurricane Sandy recovery and resiliency projects in the tunnels, as well as continuation of the PATH modernization program;
• $47 million for signal system replacement;
• $58 million for system enhancement, such as PATH station upgrades; and
• $40 million for security and mandatory projects.*Information source: PANYNJ 2016 Budget BookMTA STATEN ISLAND RAILWAY*OPERATING BUDGET: $79 MILLIONThe railway links 22 communities in the New York City borough of Staten Island.Service launched: 1860
Track miles: 29
Rolling stock: 63 rail cars
Annual ridership: 4.5 million
Annual operating budget: $78.8 million (2016)
Projects underway include: St. George Interlocking rehab project and the Arthur Kill Station project, which calls for constructing an ADA-compliant passenger station and parking facility on Staten Island to replace the Atlantic and Nassau stations. Also, the railway is continuing to build a new substation at the Prince’s Bay station.* Information sources: www.mta.info/sir previous page next page
Keywords Browse articles on Chicago Transit Authority Metra MTA Long Island Rail Road MTA Metro-North Railroad MTA New York City Transit Port Authority Trans-Hudson MTA Staten Island Railway Contact Progressive Railroading editorial staff.

Oct
11

Progressive Railroading’s Passenger Rail at a Glance 2016: Texas & Washington

Rail News Home Passenger Rail October 2016 Part 1 : Progressive Railroading's Passenger Rail at a Glance 2016: Preface Part 2 : Progressive Railroading’s Passenger Rail at a Glance 2016: Amtrak and transit agencies in Arizona & California Part 3 : Progressive Railroading’s Passenger Rail at a Glance 2016: Colorado, Florida, & Georgia Part 4 : Progressive Railroading’s Passenger Rail at a Glance 2016: Illinois, New Jersey, & New York Part 5 : Progressive Railroading’s Passenger Rail at a Glance 2016: Ohio and Pennsylvania Part 6 : Progressive Railroading’s Passenger Rail at a Glance 2016: Texas & Washington Rail News: Passenger Rail

DALLAS AREA RAPID TRANSITOPERATING COST: $158 MILLIONDallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) is the public transit system for Dallas and 12 surrounding North Texas cities operating light rail, commuter rail (the Trinity Railway Express, co-owned with the Fort Worth Transportation Authority), bus and paratransit services.Service launched: light rail in 1996
Miles per mode: 93, light rail
Rolling stock: 163 light-rail vehicles, average age 14 years
Annual ridership: 29.9 million (as of FY2015)
Annual operating cost: $158.2 million (FY2015)
Annual capital cost: $69.5 million (FY2015)
Stations: 64 (as of Oct. 24, 2016)Major capital projects underway: The 3-mile South Oak Cliff Blue Line Extension will open Oct. 24. This includes a rebuilt Ledbetter Station and 3 new miles of double-track light rail extending the DART rail system to the University of North Texas-Dallas. DART continues plans for a second light rail alignment through the Dallas Central Business District, as well as plans for rail on the eastern section of the Cotton Belt corridor from an area near the current Bush Turnpike Station and Terminal B of Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport.DENTON COUNTY TRANSPORTATION AUTHORITYOPERATING COST: $13 MILLIONFormed in 2002 and funded in 2003, the Denton County Transportation Authority (DCTA) has been focused on an aggressive service implementation strategy to address the mobility needs of Denton County residents. The central element of the agency’s service plan is the A-train, which connects with Dallas Area Rapid Transit’s (DART) Green Line at Trinity Mills in Carrollton, and serves five stations within Denton County. In addition to the A-train, the DCTA provides bus service in the cities of Lewisville, Denton, and Highland Village.Service launched: Commuter rail, 2011
Miles per mode: Commuter rail, 21.3
Rolling stock: 11 DMU-GTW Stadler rail cars, average age 5 years.
Annual ridership: 550,000 on commuter rail
Annual operating cost: $13 million
Annual capital cost: $2 million
Stations: 5Major capital projects underway: DCTA has four major Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) construction projects that resulted from the damage experienced during the Dallas area flooding in May and June 2015. The agency will be undercutting 1 mile of fouled ballast, replacing 13 flood-damaged grade crossings and repairing damaged drainage structures. Engineering is in process and DCTA expects to begin construction in late 2016 or early 2017. Construction is expected to take nine months. Total cost: $4 millions. Contracts have not been awarded.
Future projects: DCTA has a federal grant to construction another 3 miles of Hike and Bike trail in Lewisville, which is part of the agency’s 18.1-mile A-train Rail Trail. That project is in engineering and is expected to be let in January 2017 with a budget of $3 million.TRINITY RAILWAY EXPRESSOPERATING COST: $25 millionThe Trinity Railway Express is a 34-mile commuter line connecting the downtowns of Dallas and Fort Worth. It is jointly owned by Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) and the Fort Worth Transportation Authority.Service launched: 1996
Route miles: 34
Rolling stock: 9 locomotives, average age 22; 17 rail-car coaches, average age 28; 8 rail-car cabs, average age 12.
Annual ridership: 2.1 million
Annual operating cost: $24.7 million
Annual capital cost: $35 million
Stations: 10Major capital improvement projects underway:
• TRE is developing plans to replace a single track Double Lattice Through Truss bridge built in 1903 with a new double track structure in Dallas County. The project is in the design phase and is proposed to begin construction in early 2017, with a proposed 18-month construction duration.
• TRE’s Valley View project will add 1.4 miles of new Class IV double track and connect existing double tracks from West Irving Station to Centre Port Station. Currently in the design phase, the estimated construction schedule will begin in this year’s fourth-quarter. It is slated for completion in fourth-quarter 2017, and will include a new bridge structure at Bear Creek, as well as a double track at grade crossing at Valley View Drive.SOUND TRANSITOPERATING COST: $101 MILLIONSound Transit plans, builds and operates regional transit systems and services to improve mobility for Central Puget Sound.Service launched: light rail, 2009; commuter rail, 2000
Route miles: light rail, 20.4; commuter rail, 83
Rolling stock: 62 light-rail vehicles (average age 8.3 years) and 122 light-rail vehicles on order from Siemens with an expected delivery of 2019-2023; and 14 locomotives (average age 13 years) and 58 rail cars (average age 15 years) for commuter rail, with another nine rail cars on order from Bombardier. Expected delivery is January-March 2017. Type: Bilevel cab cars.
Annual ridership: 11.5 million for light rail and 3.8 million for commuter rail (2015)
Annual operating cost: light rail, $60,712,312; commuter rail, $40.3 million (2015)
Annual capital cost: light rail, $577.6 million; commuter rail, $3.7 million (2015)
Stations: light rail, 16; commuter rail, 12Major projects:
• Light rail expansion. After completing the University Link and South 200th Link Extension projects in 2016, Sound Transit continues its major light-rail expansion program of nearly 30 miles and 20 stations. Each segment is in various stages of environmental assessment, planning, design and construction as part of the Sound Transit II (ST2) expansion that voters approved in 2008. The total capital program for ST2 is about $13 billion,
• Northgate Link Extension (ST2), a 4.3-mile line featuring stations at Northgate, Roosevelt and the U District. Construction is underway, major tunnel work is completed and service will begin in 2021.
• East Link Extension (ST2), a 14-mile segment that includes 10 new stations. Construction began in 2016 and trains are expected to begin running in 2023.
• Lynnwood Link Extension (ST2), an 8.5-mile line that will run between Northgate and Lynnwood along the Interstate 5 corridor. Construction is expected to begin in 2018, with trains beginning to run in 2023.
• Federal Way Link Extension (ST2), which is in planning with a final environmental impact statement (EIS) expected in late 2016. Current funding will extend service 7.6 miles south from Angle Lake Station to Kent/Des Moines by 2023. Funding for the remaining extension reaching south to the Federal Way Transit Center has yet to be secured, although the EIS includes both segments. previous page
Keywords Browse articles on Dallas Area Rapid Transit Denton County Transportation Authority Trinity Railway Express Sound Transit Contact Progressive Railroading editorial staff.

Oct
11

Progressive Railroading’s Passenger Rail at a Glance 2016: Ohio and Pennsylvania

Rail News Home Passenger Rail October 2016 Part 1 : Progressive Railroading's Passenger Rail at a Glance 2016: Preface Part 2 : Progressive Railroading’s Passenger Rail at a Glance 2016: Amtrak and transit agencies in Arizona & California Part 3 : Progressive Railroading’s Passenger Rail at a Glance 2016: Colorado, Florida, & Georgia Part 4 : Progressive Railroading’s Passenger Rail at a Glance 2016: Illinois, New Jersey, & New York Part 5 : Progressive Railroading’s Passenger Rail at a Glance 2016: Ohio and Pennsylvania Part 6 : Progressive Railroading’s Passenger Rail at a Glance 2016: Texas & Washington Rail News: Passenger Rail

GREATER CLEVELAND REGIONAL TRANSIT AUTHORITYOPERATING COST: $268 MILLIONGreater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority (GCRTA) provides public transit services to Cuyahoga County, Ohio. Services include heavy and light rail, bus, bus rapid transit and paratransit. The agency was established Dec. 30, 1974, as a successor to Cleveland Transit System, Shaker Heights Rapid Transit and a number of suburban bus systems.Service launched: Light rail, 1913; heavy rail, 1955.
Miles per mode: Light rail, 15.3; heavy rail, 19.
Rolling stock: 1 locomotive, average age 34 years; 60 rail cars, average age 35; 48 light-rail vehicles, average age 33.
Annual ridership: light rail, 2.6 million; heavy rail, 6.4 million.
Annual operating cost: $267.7 million (2016 budget)*
Annual capital cost: $29.7 million
Stations: Light rail, 34; heavy rail, 18.Projects underway or scheduled to begin, total project cost, major contracts and anticipated project timeline:
• 3 light-rail grade crossing replacements, $3 million, Delta RR Construction 2016.
• 3 light rail grade crossing replacements, $3.4 million, 2017
• 3 substations replacement, with modular, $6 million, 2017
• Fiber optic system replacement, $8 million, 2017-18
• Track rehabilitation, West 30th to West 98th, $8.5 million, 2017-2018
• Track 8 replacement, $5.1 million, Delta RR Construction, 2016
• Brookpark Station reconstruction, Mid American Construction, $12.2 million, 2016
• East 116th Station reconstruction, $4.5 million, 2016-18
• East 34th Station reconstruction, $5.3 million, 2017-18
• East Boulevard track bridge reconstruction, $`1.9 million, Suburban Maintenance & Construction, 2016-17
• East 92nd/CSX bridge rehabilitation, $2 million, Suburban Maintenance & Construction, 2016-17*Information source: www.riderta.comSOUTHEASTERN PENNSYLVANIA TRANSPORTATION AUTHORITYOPERATING BUDGET: $1.4 billionSoutheastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) is the nation’s sixth largest public transportation system with an extensive network of fixed route services that include bus, subway, trolley, trackless trolley, high-speed and regional rail serving a 2,202- square-mile service region. SEPTA’s service region includes five counties in Pennsylvania — Philadelphia, Bucks, Chester, Delaware and Montgomery — and extends to Trenton, N.J., and Newark, Del. SEPTA is one of the region’s largest employers with a workforce of 9,000 employees.Service launched: SEPTA began operating heavy-rail service in 1968, light-rail in 1969 and commuter-rail in 1983. SEPTA was created by the state of Pennsylvania in 1964 to consolidate private regional public transportation operators. SEPTA’s predecessor rail agencies began providing passenger service in the late 1800s and early 1900s.
Miles per mode: light rail, 42; heavy rail, 47; commuter rail, 280
Rolling stock: eight locomotives, average age 27 years; 404 rail cars, average age 29 years; 167 light-rail vehicles, average age 33 years. Locomotives on order: 13, manufactured by Siemens.
Annual ridership: light rail, 28,500,600; heavy rail, 91,861,300; commuter rail, 37,413,300.
Annual operating budget: $1.4 billion (FY2017)
Annual capital budget: $548.63 million (FY2017)
Stations: eight light rail, 75 heavy rail, 154 commuter railMajor projects include:
• Crum Creek Viaduct on the Media/Elwyn Line. Replacing a 925-foot-long, 100-foot-high steel viaduct built in 1895. SEPTA also is performing structural remediation on three other viaducts, performing a rock cut stabilization project, and replacing the overhead contact system on the Media/Elwyn Line.
• Frazer Rail Shop and Yard modernization. Procurement of new locomotives and a fleet of multilevel cars for the Regional Rail system. To accommodate the increased fleet size, the 35-year-old shop and yard facilities will be renovated and expanded. The initial phase will include significant earth work and stormwater improvements at the 40-acre site to create space for additional yard track. Later phases will provide for additional shop buildings and vehicle maintenance equipment necessary to maintain the new operating fleet. Budget for this project: $139.6 million. Construction completion: late 2019.Project contracts to be let:
• Resiliency program to renew and harden infrastructure vulnerable to extreme weather. The program was partially funded by a resiliency grant from the Federal Transit Administration. The projects include rock-cut stabilization in Media in Delaware County and near Jenkintown in Montgomery County; flood mitigation at Sharon Hill (Delaware County) and Jenkintown; shoreline stabilization on the Manayunk/Norristown Line in Montgomery County; reinforcement of the regional railroad signal power system; installation of emergency power generators in pump rooms at the Broad Street Subway in Philadelphia; and construction of an ancillary control center.
• Infrastructure improvements near the University City Station. The project includes replacement of 80-year-old catenary, construction of rehabilitation of four interlockings, retiring an interlocking, tie and surface renewal, and signal improvements in an area that is adjacent to the Northeast Corridor. These improvements will be constructed between 2017 and 2019.
• Service restoration on the Media-Elwyn Regional Railroad Line from its current terminus at Elwyn Station to Wawa, Delaware County. (Service beyond Elwyn was discontinued in the 1980s.) Early action phase to stabilize embankments on sections of this line was completed in 2010. The next component of the restoration calls for retaining walls, the rehabilitation or replacement of nine bridges and the replacement of track, catenary, and structures and signals. The last component will be construction of a new station, a 600-car parking deck and an intermodal connection. The current budget for this project is $150.6 million.
• Substation program, a multiyear effort to rehabilitate 80-year-old traction power substations on the Regional Railroad. The first substations to be addressed are under construction and include Lenni and Morton on the Media/Elwyn Line; and Jenkintown and Ambler on the Main Line. Fourteen additional substations will be overhauled or replaced, and a new substation will be constructed on the West Trenton Line. previous page next page
Keywords Browse articles on Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority Contact Progressive Railroading editorial staff.

Oct
10

MetroLink's FTA grant aims to connect rail riders with wellness services

Rail News Home Passenger Rail October 2016 Rail News: Passenger Rail

Select MetroLink rail stations will host St. Louis County's health care van starting in 2017. The visits will be funded by a federal grant.Photo – Metro Transit, St. Louis By Julie Sneider, senior associate editorTransit riders in the north St. Louis area will have access to health care screenings at local rail stations starting in early 2017.Bi-State Development Research Institute, an affiliate of Metro Transit's parent company, last month received a $940,251 "Ride to Wellness'' grant from the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) that will allow the agency to work with the St. Louis County Department of Public Health to offer basic health care services at select MetroLink rail stations.The research institute was awarded the grant for an 18-month pilot project to use the county's mobile health van to provide health checkups at a yet-to-be-determined number of MetroLink stations in north St. Louis.The grant was included in the $7.3 million the FTA awarded this year as part of the Ride to Wellness Initiative, which the federal agency created to increase partnerships between health and public transportation providers. The initiative's goals are to increase access to health care, improve health outcomes and reduce health care costs.Lack of access to transportation can keep people from receiving health screenings and primary care. About 3.6 million people miss or delay non-emergency medical care each year because of transportation issues, according to the FTA. And those missed appointments can lead to greater health problems down the road for people with chronic conditions such as hypertension and diabetes."We know that public transportation can be a literal lifeline to patients to help them maintain good health," FTA Acting Administrator Carolyn Flowers wrote in a recent blog post. "Rides to Wellness focuses on improving the health of those with chronic conditions and ensuring that at-risk populations can more easily get to wellness appointments, healthy food and community services."The grants awarded last month were the first awarded under the initiative, which was created under the federal FAST Act passed by Congress in late 2015.The St. Louis project may be the only one among the 19 grants that involves a health care provider delivering medical care to patients at a rail station, according to an FTA list of the grant awardees. St. Louis County public health and Bi-State Research Institute officials will soon determine which stations north of St. Louis will be on the mobile health clinic route. They expect to begin providing service in January 2017, said Spring Schmidt, the St. Louis County health department's director of health promotion and public health research."We haven't planned out the routes yet, but the van will be out for full-day periods, three days a week," Schmidt said.The station stops will depend on where the need for basic health services is greatest, she said. In 2011, an assessment of the county's health needs determined north St. Louis County residents had less access to medical care and faced higher barriers associated with health care costs than residents in other parts of the county. Also, when in need of health care, a majority of north St. Louis-area residents are more likely to use an emergency room for primary care.At transit stops, the van will offer basic care such as vaccinations, flu clinics and screenings for diabetes and hypertension, Schmidt said. Patients who don't have a primary care physician will get a referral, and they’ll be coached on how to use the public transit system to get from their home to the doctor's office. Patients also will be given a transit voucher if they need one."We will be funding several vouchers over the course of the pilot to see if that improves the patients' follow-up care if a health screening determines something of concern," said Schmidt. "We'll always document where we collect the basic information that will help us reach back out to someone with a health condition. We want this service to have a personal touch."Clinic staff also will help uninsured patients determine if they qualify for benefits under the federal Affordable Care Act or Medicaid programs, Schmidt said.The Ride to Wellness grant is an opportunity for Metro Transit to help address the region's "growing problem of access to health care," said Ray Friem, Metro Transit’s executive director. "Every day, thousands of people rely on the Metro transit system to reach important destinations throughout the region, and we are very excited that they will be able to visit our MetroLink stations and conveniently and easily connect with important health resources and care at these mobile clinics," Friem said in an email.The FTA grant is the second time that the St. Louis transit agency received funds to explore ways to help residents access basic health care services. Last year, the research institute received a $41,900 grant from the Missouri Health Foundation to study the feasibility of offering health services at some MetroLink train stations. The study evaluated issues to consider as part of a business plan for establishing basic medical care at a rail station or a Metro bus site.A report on the study's findings was to be issued this past spring, but was postponed while the institute completed the application for the FTA funding. Now that it’s known the Bi-State institute received the FTA funds, the institute is back to writing the report.During the Ride to Wellness pilot, county health and institute officials will assess how the project affects the population’s health, said John Wagner, the institute's project manager for economic development. Transit agency officials also will continue to work with health department officials to seek additional funding to continue the service beyond the 18-month period, he added."We hope the service will be well-received and the health benefits will be apparent to people," said Wagner.
Keywords Browse articles on MetroLink Bi-State Development Research Institute Metro Transit Federal Transit Administration Ride to Wellness St. Louis County Department of Public Health Spring Schmidt John Wagner Ray Friem Contact Progressive Railroading editorial staff.