Regulatory

WATCHING WASHINGTON, RAILWAY AGE JANUARY 2026 ISSUE: It’s called “unitary executive theory.” It asserts the Constitution’s Article II provides for one executive, the President, and others may not wield substantial…

The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet has awarded nearly $3 million to railroads and local government to finance a total of nine highway/rail grade crossing and industrial development projects.

Railway Age’s January 2026 issue is now available digitally and features a profile of Norfolk Southern Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer John Orr—the recipient of the publication’s 2026…

The Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) Board on Jan. 7 signed off on a C$3.028 billion combined 2026 operating budget for its conventional system of bus, subway, and streetcar services (C$2.826…

The Surface Transportation Board (STB) “should reject the efforts of a few parties … to delay and prolong this proceeding by claiming the [recently filed Union Pacific-Norfolk Southern] Application [seeking…

Railway Age is now accepting entries for our 2026 “Fast Trackers” 25 Under 40 awards, in which we will profile 25 individuals under the age of 40 who have made…

The Surface Transportation Board (STB) announced Jan. 7 a Notice of Proposed Rule Making (NPRM)—Eliminating Regulatory Barriers to Competition: Review of Part 1144, Docket Ex Parte No. 788—which, if finalized…

Dear Customers: As I shared, Union Pacific (UP) and Norfolk Southern (NS) filed their merger application with the Surface Transportation Board (STB) on Friday, Dec. 19, 2025, as we headed into…

Metro Transit, St. Louis, will begin taking delivery of new high-floor LRVs (light rail vehicles) in 2027. Also, Port Authority of New York and New Jersey’s (PANY/NJ) PATH regains ridership…

Federal and state rail safety inspectors have several enforcement tools at their disposal. Civil penalties, which are reserved for “severe instances of noncompliance warranting the deterrent effect of monetary penalties,”…

Northstar service between Minneapolis and Big Lake, Minn., was shuttered Jan. 4, with buses replacing trains along the route, according to local media reports. The Minnesota Star Tribune and other…

Jeff Thurman is sworn in as Vice President of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET) National Advisory Board. Also, Mike Flynn is appointed Commissioner of the New York…

All four Class I railroads—BNSF, CN, CPKC, CSX—that will remain independent, at least in the short term, if the Surface Transportation Board approves the Union Pacific-Norfolk Southern merger, have given…

Ridership records are set for New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority’s (MTA) commuter railroads and California’s Sonoma-Marin Area Regional Transit District (SMART). Also, the fiscal year 2025 audit for Honolulu Authority…

We hosted a former Class I CEO to review the recent Union Pacific-Norfolk Southern merger application. He sees a very strong filing with acceptance likely though not until 2027. The…

Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern’s growth-oriented merger argument remains sound, but the bid-ask spread on competitive concessions remains unknown until the rails respond. Downstream, we view today’s filing as constructive…

While Amtrak has started upgrading its maintenance facilities to support major fleet acquisitions, including NextGen Acela, Airo, and planned Long Distance trains, developing and implementing a strategic plan would help…

When Congress passed the Bipartisan Infrastructure Bill, Americans were promised modernization of the country’s transportation network. Roads, bridges, ports, and supply chains were all supposed to emerge faster, stronger, and more competitive. …

The San Joaquin Regional Rail Commission (SJRRC) appoints Chris Orlando as CEO. Also, Kathryn B. “Katie” Thomson is Acting Secretary of the Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT), following the departure…

The U.S. Department of Transportation on Dec. 19 issued a Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) that makes $33 million in funding available for the Department’s University Transportation Centers (UTC) Program…