Rail service

October 30, 2007 -- “The passage of this critical legislation is truly a great achievement. For New Yorkers, Amtrak is not just a commodity, but a life source. Passenger rail is an essential element of our transportation network that provides irreplaceable capacity and mobility to New York and the nation. For the past near seven years, we have had to fight the Administration’s constant attempts to privatize and dismantle our nation’s premier passenger rail service, Amtrak. Eliminating Amtrak service would be an economic disaster and an irresponsible policy.    » read more »

Bill Includes Carper Amendment to Revitalize Areas Around Rail Stations

October 30, 2007 -- Washington, DC - Today the Senate overwhelmingly passed an Amtrak bill supported by Sens. Joe Biden and Tom Carper (both D-Del.) to reform and strengthen the national passenger rail system for the 21st century.    » read more »

Gates, other safety devices to be installed at 19 crossings around Kentucky

October 30, 2007 -- FRANKFORT, Ky. — Kentucky Governor Ernie Fletcher and Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KYTC) officials are taking action to increase safety at 19 railroad crossings around the commonwealth by adding crossing gates and other safety equipment. The cabinet is seeking the Federal Highway Administration’s approval to use $3.35 million in federal funds for the projects.    » read more »

October 30, 2007 -- Connecticut Governor M. Jodi Rell announced that today’s agreement on a bonding bill means the $1 surcharge approved by the legislature two years ago as part of the Governor’s $1.3 billion transportation package will be scrapped in favor of an alternative developed by legislators earlier this year at Governor Rell’s request.    » read more »

October 25, 2007 -- WASHINGTON – Today, the U.S. Senate is considering the Passenger Rail Improvement and Investment Act, a bill sponsored by U.S. Senator Frank Lautenberg (D-NJ) to support the operation of Amtrak and improvements to the passenger rail system.

Senator Bob Menendez (D-NJ), a strong supporter of Amtrak and co-sponsor of the legislation, spoke today on the Senate floor in favor of the legislation.

Excerpts from Menendez remarks:    » read more »

October 15, 2007 -- TRENTON – New Jersey Attorney General Anne Milgram announced today that she has signed a multi-state letter to President Bush asserting the legal authority of states to regulate solid waste facilities along railroad lines, and requesting that the U.S. Office of Management and Budget (OMB) reconsider a recent policy statement suggesting otherwise.    » read more »

October 15, 2007 -- BOSTON - Massachusetts Attorney General Martha Coakley along with Attorneys General from 5 other states today called on the Bush Administration to reconsider its policy position which opposes state regulation of solid waste facilities along railroad lines. In an October 15 letter sent to President George W.    » read more »

October 9, 2007 -- The state Department of Transportation (DOT) today delivered to Connecticut Governor M. Jodi Rell and the General Assembly a report by the Connecticut Academy of Science and Engineering (CASE) on the feasibility of using fuel cell technology for power generation on the New Haven rail system.

A 2006 statute mandated that the DOT commission the study and report its findings by January 1, 2008. The study will be the subject of a public hearing on Wednesday, October 10, 2007, at 11 a.m. in the Legislative Office Building in Hartford.    » read more »

10/2/2007 -- (HELENA) – Montana Governor Brian Schweitzer last week filed comments with the federal Surface Transportation Board calling for changes in railroad industry cost of capital standards. He was joined by numerous groups of rail shippers of agricultural commodities from Montana and other states, in a proceeding entitled Ex Parte No. 664.

The proceeding is important for farm producers and other commodity shippers because it may lead to recognition that the nation's major railroads are financially strong, and no longer need to be protected from competition.    » read more »

September 26, 2007 -- "I am concerned first and foremost about the well-being of anyone who was injured in this very unfortunate crash, as well as by damage caused to transportation facilities. The departure of an empty truck from the site could reflect illegal dumping if there is evidence that trash was left there. The court order obtained by my office forbids any dumping of any trash at the site.    » read more »

September 22, 2007 -- Connecticut Governor M. Jodi Rell today applauded the higher satisfaction ratings given to Shore Line East (SLE) by rail commuters in a new survey and said the rail service east of New Haven is an important component of her effort to reduce traffic congestion and improve mobility in southeastern Connecticut.    » read more »

Bloomberg Administration’s Priority a Step Closer

September 21, 2007 -- “The approval of this $2 billion in tax credits by the Senate Finance Committee is great news for New York City and for the entire region. These tax credits will fulfill a commitment that the Federal government made to our City in the aftermath of 9/11. I want to thank Senator Schumer for his leadership on this in the Senate and Congressman Rangel for his efforts in the House.    » read more »

VeriWise Rail and VeriWise Intermodal enhance safety, security and productivity of moving goods by rail

CHICAGO, September 18, 2007 – GE Equipment Services today introduced VeriWise™ RAIL and VeriWise™ INTERMODAL, remote asset management solutions that provide customers with on-demand visibility into the status of their fleet and the cargo it carries.    » read more »

Grants Support Aviation, Rail and Port Improvements across New York State

September 18, 2007 -- New York Governor Eliot Spitzer announced today approval for more than $43 million in funding for aviation, rail and port capital projects across New York State. This funding from the Renew and Rebuild New York Transportation Bond Act of 2005 will support infrastructure, security, and economic development projects across the state.    » read more »

Michigan Department of Transportation Supports Action

September 18, 2007 -- KALAMAZOO, Mich. – Amtrak and Michigan Central Railway have reached an agreement concerning maintenance and investment levels on the rail lines between Ypsilanti and Kalamazoo, Mich., which are currently used for passenger rail operations. As a result of this agreement, Amtrak will support Michigan Central’s request for regulatory approval of the transaction now pending before the Surface Transportation Board (STB) that would grant Michigan Central control over those lines.    » read more »