U.S.: Northern Virginia Transportation Authority adopts six-year, $539-million funding program

By Mischa Wanek-Libman, Mass Transit Magazine; July 13, 2020 The Northern Virginia Transportation Authority (NVTA) voted to adopt the FY2020-2025…

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U.S., California: Plans derailed for April train to Coachella, Stagecoach music festivals

By Colin Atagi Palm Springs Desert Sun; July 13, 2020 It’s the end of the line for a rail service…

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U.S., Pennsylvania: Phoenixville rail study shows $350 million in economic benefits

By Evan Brandt, The Phoenix Reporter & Item; July 12, 2020 PHOENIXVILLE — The results of a new study show more…

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U.S., New Mexico: Rail Runner Express runs without passengers

By David C. Lester, Managing Editor, RT&S Magazine; July 13, 2020 New Mexico’s Rio Metro Regional Transit District, also known…

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U.S., Florida – All aboard: SunRail ridership starts uphill chug

By Richard Bilbao, Digital Producer/Senior Staff Writer, Orlando Business Journal; July 14, 2020 Covid-19 hasn’t stopped the Central Florida commuter…

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U.S.: The Trusty Roomette Is Suddenly Giving Amtrak an Advantage Airlines Can Only Dream Of

By Robert Klara, Adweek; July 13, 2020 In 1946, the Association of American Railroads produced a report aimed at calming…

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U.S., Texas: Potential Funding for Texas Central High Speed Rail in New Federal Infrastructure Bill

By Kim Roberts, The Texan; July 11, 2020 When the U.S. House of Representatives passed a large infrastructure bill, tagged…

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U.S., Texas: Permitting process nearing completion for Texas Central high-speed rail

By Paul Wedding, Staff Writer, Houston Chronicle; July 10, 2020 Despite the pandemic slowing down some business, Texas Central is…

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U.S.: House Bill would tie Amtrak funding to preservation of long-distance routes, staff

From Progressive Railroading Magazine; July 10, 2020 The House Subcommittee on Transportation, Housing, Urban Development and Related Agencies (THUD) earlier…

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Canada: Latest VIA Rail Operations Update

A press release from VIA Rail Canada; July 9, 2020: MONTRÉAL, July 9, 2020 /CNW/ – Due to an increase in…

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Canada, Alberta: Plans for Banff-Norquay gondola still in play

By Todd Saelhof, Calgary Herald; July 9, 2020 A gondola link between Banff and Mount Norquay remains high on the…

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U.S., Washington State: State receives King County to Spokane rail study

By Aaron Kunkler, Bellevue Reporter; July 10, 2020 A new study outlines what it could take to resurrect an east-west…

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U.S.: For American high-speed rail, 2020 could be a turning point

By Matt McFarland, CNN Business, Erie News Now; July 8, 2020 High-speed rail, long an afterthought in the United States,…

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U.S. OP-ED: Happy 56th birthday to federal funding for public transportation

By Larry Penner, Mass Transit Magazine; July 9, 2020 July 2020 marks the 56th Anniversary of federal government support for…

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U.S., California: Metrolink introduces tool to help passengers social distance

By David C. Lester, Managing Editor, RT&S Magazine; July 9. 2020 With the pandemic and social distancing on the minds…

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U.S., Washington, D.C.: EPA studying disinfectants for trains, stations

From Progressive Railroading Magazine; July 9, 2020 U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) researchers are evaluating a number of commercially available…

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U.S., New York: In crisis once again, Metropolitan Transportation Authority looks to private sector proposals for help

By Mark Hallum, AM New York; July 9, 2020 If New Yorkers remember the Genius Challenge from 2017, as the…

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U.S., New England: Downeaster ridership low but rising as trains start running after two-month shutdown

By Hannah LaClaire, Times Record, Sun Journal; July 9, 2020 BRUNSWICK — Amtrak’s Downeaster trains are back up and running…

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Canada: Continued Interruption of VIA Rail Services Leads to Temporary Layoffs

A press release from VIA Rail Canada; July 8, 2020: MONTRÉAL, July 8, 2020 /CNW Telbec/ – As the COVID-19…

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Europe, France: Alstom offers French factory sale to clinch Bombardier deal

By Maya Nikolaeva and Sarah White, Reuters, Financial Post; July 9, 2020 PARIS — France’s TGV high-speed train maker Alstom…

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U.S., Minnesota Local View: Don’t give up on Northern Lights Express, a better option than I-35

By James Patrick Buchanan, Duluth News Tribune; July 9, 2020 After reading the July 1, 2019, letter, “Give up on…

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Europe, UK: ‘Uncertainty’ over FirstGroup’s ability to continue operating

By David Burroughs, International Railway Journal; July 8, 2020 FIRST Group has acknowledged a “material uncertainty exists” about its ability…

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Europe, UK: Boss of transport giant FirstGroup begs Government to stop telling commuters to avoid trains and buses ‘to get the economy moving again’ by ending working-from-home culture

By Luke Andrews For Mailonline, Daily Mail; July 9, 2020 The UK’s biggest bus company and rail operator has urged…

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U.S., Montana: All aboard? Butte-Silver Bow could join push for passenger rail

By Mike Smith, Montana Standard; July 9, 2020 Butte-Silver Bow might join several other counties in trying to restore passenger…

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Asia, Japan: Volume-based fares? JR East mulls changes after pandemic

By YUTA ICHIJO, Staff Writer, The Asahi Shimbun; July 8, 2020 East Japan Railway Co. (JR East) is considering different…

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