Category Archives: News

News

Michigan transit projects expected to get more funding

From the Detroit Free Press

Chances rose today for an infusion of federal money for transit projects in Michigan after the Obama administration signaled a change in how it will fund major public transportation initiatives.

U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood said new transit funding guidelines will place a greater emphasis on “livability issues,” including whether projects provide economic development and environmental benefits. LaHood said the projects’ costs and the commuting time they save will still be considered, but those two factors will no longer be the primary criteria, a restriction enacted under former President George Bush.

“I’ll make sure those investments in manufacturing help our most distressed communities in Illinois, Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and elsewhere,” LaHood said in remarks prepared for a luncheon during the Transportation Research Board’s annual meeting in Washington, D.C.

Additional federal funding could boost efforts to build a light rail along Woodward in Detroit and a high-speed rail between Detroit and Chicago.

http://www.freep.com/article/201001131705/NEWS06/100113068

News

Infrastructure upgrades, PTC and new rolling stock on Amtrak’s 2010 agenda

From Progressive Railroading Daily News

With major projects and new initiatives on tap to rebuild infrastructure, increase service and revitalize the nation’s intercity passenger railroad, Amtrak is anticipating “an exciting 2010,” President and Chief Executive Officer Joseph Boardman said yesterday during a media conference call.

This year, Amtrak plans to undertake major track and bridge construction projects, replace and expand its locomotive and passenger-car fleets, and advance high-speed rail and positive train control (PTC) initiatives.

Major infrastructure projects include the replacement of the 102-year-old movable bridge over the Niantic River in Connecticut; modernization of transformers and other electrical equipment between Washington, D.C., and New York City; track and switch upgrades at Chicago’s Union Station; and construction of new maintenance buildings for passenger-car equipment in Los Angeles and Hialeah, Fla.

Amtrak also plans to renovate a station in Wilmington, Del.; expand the Auto Train station in Sanford, Fla.; restore locomotives and passenger cars in Beech Grove, Ind., and Bear, Del.; complete a multi-year modernization of catenary wires on the Hell Gate Line in New York; and begin upgrading a Seattle maintenance facility.

In addition, the railroad will advance an “aggressive, self-imposed schedule” to install PTC by the end of 2012 — three years prior to the rail industry’s federally mandated deadline. A “significant amount of design and engineering, and some installation work” will occur this year, said Boardman.

Next month, Amtrak also plans to announce a plan to replace and expand its rolling stock fleet to accommodate anticipated ridership growth. The railroad expects to purchase several hundred single-level and bi-level long-distance cars, and more than 100 locomotives, said Boardman.

http://www.progressiverailroading.com/prdailynews/news.asp?id=22333

Announcements, FYI, News

Transport Action Canada is the new name for Transport 2000

For immediate release

January 5, 2010

(OTTAWA) — Canada’s national voice for sustainable public transportation has a new name, “Transport Action Canada”, replacing the widely-recognized name “Transport 2000 Canada”, which has been in use for over 30 years.

“Our voice has been heard through our national and regional organizations on all matters affecting public transportation, by all modes, in all parts of the country”, said David Jeanes, president of Transport Action Canada. “We are a volunteer-based nonprofit corporation and registered charity, with our national office in Ottawa, and we will continue to advocate for sustainable public transport for passengers and freight”, he added.

Transport 2000 Canada, founded in 1976, shared its name with organizations with similar objectives in the UK and France, and looked forward a quarter century to the next millennium. Now in the tenth year of that millennium our new name, Transport Action, is already well-known as the name of our bi-monthly newsletter since 1980 and our registered trade-mark since 1998.

Transport Action’s website is www.transport-action.ca and email address info@transport-action.ca. All other contact information is unchanged.

– 30 –

Further information:
David L. Jeanes, P.Eng.                                             
President, Transport Action Canada                         
613-594-3290 (ofc), 613-725-9484 (res)                 
 
Harry Gow
Founding President
819-827-8552

Backgrounder

Transport 2000 was founded in the UK in 1973 and in France in 1974. Transport 2000 Canada was formed in 1976, bringing together groups in Saskatchewan, Ontario, Quebec, and Atlantic Canada. The European organizations granted permission to use the name and it was extended to regional groups across Canada. The founders of Transport 2000 in the UK. and France participated in our first major national event, the National Rail Passenger Conference in Regina in October 1976.

Transport 2000 Canada was incorporated as a federal non-profit corporation and registered charity in 1978 to conduct advocacy and research in the field of public transportation. The name Transport 2000 was registered as a trademark in 1981. So the legacy of Transport 2000 goes back over 30 years.

Transport 2000 UK is now known as “The Campaign for Better Transport”, (www.bettertransport.org), and Transport 2000 France is ”La Fédération Nationale des Associations d’Usagers des Transports – FNAUT”, (www.fnaut.asso.fr).

In the year 2000 we decided to retain the name Transport 2000, with its widespread recognition across Canada. However, ten years into the new millennium, our directors and members decided overwhelmingly that it was time for a change. We chose Transport Action as it was the well-established name of our newsletter, since 1980, and our trade-mark, since 1998. As the words mean the same in English and French, we did not register two names.

Our regional associate organizations for Atlantic, Ontario, Prairie and British Columbia are taking the necessary steps to change their names to Transport Action; Transport 2000 Québec will retain its present name, for now. Corporations Canada approved the change by supplementary letters patent, effective 28 October. Approval is expected shortly from Canada Revenue Agency Charities Division, (registration 11926 8571 RR0001). The Ontario Government gave its approval to Transport 2000 Ontario on 29 December.
 
Transport Action Canada
Box 858, Station B
Ottawa, ON  K1P 5P9
 
Tel: 613-594-3290, Fax: 613-594-3271
Email: info@transport-action.ca
Website: www.transport-action.ca

News

Legislation defines light rail vision

From The Michigan Citizen

DETROIT — Detroit is closer to a light rail line on Woodward Avenue. A federal spending bill, allowing $125 million in matching funds for the project has spurred state legislators to start work on a regional transportation authority to oversee any future mass transit expansion.

Until earlier this year, the Woodward Light Rail plan was being developed by two separate groups. Corporate business leaders Roger Penske, Dan Karmanos, Dan Gilbert and Mike Illitch formed the core of a group, known as M1 Rail, which had raised over $120 million to fund a rail line which would run between Jefferson and Grand Boulevard. Concurrently, the Detroit Department of Transportation was developing a $371 million plan to extend the rail line to the Michigan State Fairgrounds.

In May, the two groups, bolstered by the potential of receiving federal matching funds, agreed to begin coordinating their efforts.
http://www.michigancitizen.com/default.asp?sourceid=&smenu=1&twindow=&mad=&sdetail=8164&wpage=1&skeyword=&sidate=&ccat=&ccatm=&restate=&restatus=&reoption=&retype=&repmin=&repmax=&rebed=&rebath=&subname=&pform=&sc=1070&hn=michigancitizen&he=.com

News

Battle continues for control of Southern Michigan Railroad Society

From The Adrian Daily Telegram

The dust has still not settled from an attempted takeover of the Southern Michigan Railroad Society at its Nov. 14 board election.

Ballot counting that was expected to be completed shortly after Thanksgiving is being delayed by objections raised to the qualifications of almost every voter. The group reviewing the ballots is taking a Christmas holiday break without a single vote yet counted for the seven candidates for four director seats.

A group of local business and community leaders launched an effort to take control of the board of directors. The group’s spokesman, Tecumseh attorney Charles Gross, said local businesses and property owners have had problems with right of way and property access he said are caused by an uncooperative attitude of railroad society leaders.

The president of the Adrian and Blissfield Rail Road, Mark Dobronski, said he believes new leadership is needed to revive the vintage railroad operation he said is plagued by deteriorating tracks and equipment.