June 18, 2013

Amtrak, beware?

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What’s up with California Rep. Jeff Denham? Enquiring Amtrak enthusiasts would like to know. According to a report by Politico transportation writer Adam Snider, the Republican representative from California’s 10th Congressional District “has been busy with rail lately, hitting up both New York and Illinois in the past few days.” Snider writes further: “Fresh off [...]

Carper named for 2nd term on Amtrak board

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MACOMB, Ill. — President Barack Obama has re-nominated former Macomb mayor Tom Carper to the Amtrak Board of Directors. Carper got confirmation June 5 from staff members in the White House. Read the full story at the Quincy Herald-Whig.

Amtrak: ‘We are eating our assets alive’

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WASHINGTON – The reduced level of federal investment in Northeast Corridor (NEC) infrastructure has resulted in a cumulative degradation of its components, nearing the loss of asset functionality and decreased reliability of the system that threatens the successful continuity of passenger rail operations, Amtrak President and CEO Joe Boardman told a Congressional committee June 7. [...]

Congressmen announce public transportation caucus

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U.S. Reps. Dan Lipinski (D-Ill.) and Michael Grimm (R-N.Y.) announced May 23 the formation of the Congressional Public Transportation Caucus aimed at addressing issues facing the country’s public transportation systems, including rail, light rail, bus rapid transit, and traditional bus service. The bipartisan Caucus will provide a forum for members of Congress to engage in [...]

Amtrak board extends contract of CEO Boardman

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WASHINGTON – The Amtrak board of directors is extending the contract of President and CEO Joe Boardman for his achievements in improving the operational and financial performance of America’s Railroad and providing the continuity of leadership critical to the ongoing implementation of the company’s strategic plan. “We are extremely pleased with the progress Amtrak has [...]

New Amtrak locomotives unveiled for Northeast

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WASHINGTON — Amtrak rolled out three new locomotives on Monday, the first step in the railroad’s plan to modernize its aging fleet of trains. The three are the first of 70 new locomotives the railroad is buying to operate on the Northeast Corridor between Washington and Boston. Amtrak said they would operate at speeds up [...]

LaHood gives Amtrak $30M for Sandy repairs

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WASHINGTON – U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood May 3 announced he is providing $30.2 million to Amtrak to repair damage caused by Hurricane Sandy along its heavily-traveled Northeast Corridor. The funding comes from the Disaster Relief Appropriations Act of 2013 and is being provided by the Federal Railroad Administration. “Amtrak serves as a critical transportation [...]

Amtrak marks 42 years of service with funding plea

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Amtrak marked 42 years of service on May 1 with a plea for more money from Congress. CEO Joe Boardman said Amtrak remains a “vital part” of the nation’s transportation system, but can’t continue to fulfill its “national mission” without more money from Washington.  Read the full story at The Hill.  

Authorities thwart Amtrak terror plot

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Canadian police and intelligence agencies said Monday that they’ve thwarted an Al Qaeda-supported plot that aimed to blow up a passenger rail line, with some news accounts suggesting that the target was train service connecting Toronto and New York City. Amtrak, which operates a train line between the two cities, issued a statement saying it [...]

Members ratify five-year Amtrak agreement

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Amtrak employees represented by the SMART Transportation Division (UTU) have ratified a five-year agreement with management of the National Railroad Passenger Corp. (Amtrak). The new pact covers approximately 2,300 members employed as conductors, assistant conductors, yardmasters and dining car stewards.  The agreement is retroactive to 2010 and the new rates of pay should become effective [...]