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Posts by Marybeth Luczak

Marybeth Luczak

(Courtesy of the STB)

Nominations Open for RSTAC

The Surface Transportation Board (STB) is seeking nominations to fill vacancies on its Railroad-Shipper Transportation Advisory Council (RSTAC). The deadline is Jan. 12, 2026; candidates may nominate themselves.
The State of California, through the Affordable Housing and Sustainable Communities Round 9 program, has awarded SacRT three grants totaling $25.8 million. Among the projects covered by the grants: the purchase of four new LRVs. (Screen Grab from SacRT video)

Transit Briefs: SacRT, DART, BART

California’s Sacramento Regional Transit District (SacRT) secures state funding for new LRVs (light rail vehicles) and station construction and other transit projects. Also, Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) celebrates the…
ITS Logistics U.S. Port/Rail Ramp Freight Index for December 2025. (Image Courtesy of ITS Logistics)

Intermodal Briefs: ITS Logistics, GPA

ITS Logistics issues its December U.S. Port/Rail Ramp Freight Index. Also, the Appalachian Regional Port, a joint effort of the State of Georgia, Murray County, Georgia Ports Authority (GPA), and…
(Courtesy of Amtrak)

For Amtrak Unionized Workforce, $900 Bonuses

The U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) on Dec. 11 reported that more than 18,000 frontline Amtrak workers will each receive a $900 bonus “to celebrate a record year of ridership…
Daily average ridership of Missouri’s KC Streetcar more than doubled immediately after the Main Street Extension opened. (Courtesy of KC Streetcar Authority)

Transit Briefs: KC Streetcar, Green Line LRT, Finch West LRT

Kansas City (KC) Streetcar ridership doubles following the Main Street Extension launch. Also, the City of Calgary’s Green Line LRT project advances; and work is under way to address slow…
“This past weekend, the Great Western Railway of Colorado (GWR) once again had the honor of delivering Santa to Boardwalk Park—a tradition our team has proudly supported for more than a decade,” GWR’s parent company, OmniTRAX, reported via social media on Dec. 9. (Courtesy of OmniTRAX)

‘Holiday Briefs’: LSRC, GWR, TXNW, CPKC

Lake State Railway (LSRC), Railway Age’s 2018 Short Line of the Year and 2021 Regional of the Year, delivers toys and “Christmas cheer” to Michigan communities. Also, OmniTRAX rail affiliate Great…
(Image Courtesy of TRACCS)

TRACCS Presents Canada Rail Achievement Awards (UPDATED 12/11)

The Transit Rail Association for Canadian Contractors, Maintainers, Operators and Standards (TRACCS) last month recognized “outstanding contributions and achievements within Canada’s rail sector” through its inaugural Rail Achievement Awards.
Kathryn Garcia. (Courtesy of Columbia University)

Garcia Tapped to Lead PANY/NJ

New York Gov. Kathy Hochul on Dec. 9 nominated Kathryn Garcia as Executive Director of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey (PANY/NJ), succeeding Rick Cotton, whose retirement…
Artist rendering of Eli Lilly’s synthetic medicine active pharmaceutical ingredient facility, to be built on a NS-served site in Alabama. (Courtesy of NS)

Spurring Industrial Development in Alabama, Texas

New industrial development initiatives are under way in Alabama and Texas. While a Norfolk Southern (NS)-served site in Huntsville, Ala., will soon be home to Eli Lilly and Company’s $6…
(Courtesy of the FTA)

FTA Issues Major Event Playbook

The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) has released guidance to help public transportation agencies navigate federal requirements related to moving people “safely and efficiently” to major events—from international sporting events to…
(Screen Grab from Metrolinx Construction Video)

Finch West LRT Opens (UPDATED 12/8)

The Toronto Transit Commission’s (TTC) long-awaited, C$2.6 billion Line 6 Finch West LRT launched Dec. 7. Serving 16 light rail stops and two end-point stations along 6.4 miles (10.3 kilometers)…
Marty Thomas, TTX (left), and Katie Choe, VRE. (Photographs courtesy of the respective organizations)

People News: TTX, VRE

TTX Company elevates Marty Thomas to President, and Virginia Railway Express (VRE) appoints Katie Choe as CEO.
Parsons has landed a five-year contract, with two potential one-year extensions, to support Sound Transit’s $60 billion capital program. (Courtesy of Sound Transit)

Transit Briefs: Sound Transit, WMATA, NYMTA

Parsons Corporation (Parsons) secures a position on Sound Transit of Seattle’s 2025 Multiple Award Task Order Contract (MATOC). Also, Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) is rolling out a holiday-themed…
CPKC AVP of U.S. Government Affairs Larry Lloyd (far left) who traveled to Washington, D.C., with President and CEO Keith Creel (center), where they met with Senate Commerce Committee Chair Ted Cruz (R-Texas), among others. (Courtesy of Lloyd)

Class I Briefs: BNSF, CSX, CN, CPKC

BNSF provides an operational performance update and marks the 11th consecutive month of “record-breaking” terminal dwell. Also, Newsweek ranks CSX as No. 1 in the Transportation and Logistics category of…
“Hello, South King County! The ribbon has been cut, the confetti has flown, and three new Link light rail stations are open for travel. ” Sound Transit reported via social media on Dec. 6. (Courtesy of Sound Transit)

Sound Transit Launches Federal Way LRT Extension

Riders in South King County, Wash., can now take Link service between SeaTac and Federal Way. Sound Transit on Dec. 6 opened a $2.5-billion, 7.8-mile extension of the 1 Line,…
Cando Channelview Terminal in Texas. (Courtesy of Cando)

Cando Acquires Texas Terminal (UPDATED 12/5)

Manitoba, Canada-based Cando Rail & Terminals on Oct. 3 reported entering a definitive agreement to acquire the rail terminal and associated operations of Texas Deepwater Partners, a joint venture project…
Amtrak’s twice-daily Mardi Gras between New Orleans and Mobile, Ala., has served more than 46,000 riders since its Aug. 18 launch. (Photograph Courtesy of Amtrak)

Transit Briefs: Amtrak, SEPTA, TriMet, NJT, TTC, MBTA

Amtrak’s newest service, the Mardi Gras, is seeing strong demand. Also, Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) is taking delivery of 10 leased coaches from MARC (Maryland Area Regional Commuter Rail);…
(Courtesy of Sunport)

Sunport Reactivates Albuquerque Rail Spur

The first 1.5 miles of Albuquerque International Sunport’s (Sunport) 4-mile rail spur in New Mexico have been rehabilitated through a public-private partnership with New Mexico Transloading LLC (NMT).
(Courtesy of Railway Age)

Railway Age December 2025 Digital Edition Now On Line

Railway Age’s December 2025 issue is now available digitally, spotlighting the Freight Rail Outlook for 2026. Editor-in-Chief William C. Vantuono and Wall Street Contributing Editor Jason Seidl address the topic…
“Increased state of good repair work and some service increases have been made possible by RTD’s healthy financial position and debt prepayment,” according RTD’s FY26 budget announcement via social media. “However, this is not sustainable, and RTD is working toward cost reduction and revenue growth opportunities.” (Courtesy of RTD)

For Denver RTD, FY26 Budget Tops $1.5B

Denver Regional Transportation District (RTD) on Dec. 3 reported that its Board has adopted a $1.5 billion budget for Fiscal Year 2026, which includes appropriations for operating expenses, state of…
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