Chicago-area transit agencies asked to prepare two budgets for 2026

Commuter train rounds curve through downtown of small town

CHICAGO — The agency overseeing the Chicago area’s three transit operators is directing Metra, the Chicago Transit Authority, and bus operator Pace to develop two versions of their 2026 budgets: one based on the current funding shortfall, and one if the state legislature comes through with more funding. Streetsblog Chicago reports that at a June […]

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DC Metrorail expands automated operation systemwide

Rapid-transit train arrives at above-ground station

WASHINGTON — DC Metrorail is now operating its entire system with Automatic Train Operation, having expanded use of the automated system to the Blue, Orange, and Silver lines as of today (June 15, 2025). The system, which was part of Metrorail from its launch in 1976, was shut off in 2009 following a fatal collision. […]

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CN asks Canadian court to allow flood control measures in national park

Coal train with two locomotives running next to river with Canadian Rockies as a backdrop

VANCOUVER, British Columbia — Canadian National Railway is taking legal action to force Parks Canada to allow it to build a berm to protect its main line against potential flood damage in Alberta’s Jasper National Park. The CBC reports that CN, in a federal court filing, says the agency has for more than eight years […]

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Pacific Surfliner adds new trains, giving LA-San Diego segment 12 daily round trips

Passenger train passes under pedestrian bridge at station

LOS ANGELES — Amtrak’s Pacific Surfliner is adding an additional round trip serving San Diego staring on Monday, June 16, while also making additional schedule adjustments. The Los Angeles-San Diego service will now have 12 daily round trips. New will be southbound train No. 584, departing Los Angeles at 4:10 p.m. and arriving in San […]

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Two WMATA workers charged, five plead guilty in health-care fraud case

U.S. Department of Justice seal

WASHINGTON — What is it about rail operations and health-care fraud? Two train operators with the Washington Metropolitan Area Transportation Authority were arrested Friday on charges relating to a scheme to submit fraudulent health insurance and short-term disability claims for non-existent ailments, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia has announced. Michelle Shropshire, […]

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California HSR Authority letter rejects FRA defunding justifications: Analysis

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Citing substantial infrastructure work already completed as evidence the California High Speed Rail Authority is on track to complete an initial operating segment by 2033, CEO Ian Choudri challenged the Federal Railroad Administration’s contention that $4 billion of federal grants should be terminated. Earlier this month, the FRA issued a 314-page report […]

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CSX delivers military equipment for Army’s 250th Birthday Parade

BNSF and CSX teamed up to haul nearly 100 pieces of military equipment – tanks, armored vehicles, and tactical vehicles – from Fort Cavazos in Texas to Jessup, Md., in support of the Army’s 250th Birthday Parade scheduled for Saturday in Washington, D.C. The 4,611-ton train originated on BNSF and was interchanged with CSX at […]

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Union Pacific outlines technology gains for shippers, truckers

Yellow locomotives moving double-stack cars with container crains in background

OMAHA, Neb. — Union Pacific is implementing a technology strategy that focuses on safety, service, and operational excellence, and a customer-focused approach where real-time information is now a standard expectation, the company said in a recent webinar for customers. Kenny Rocker, UP executive vice president of marketing and sales, highlighted the role of application programming […]

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Eurostar plans service to Germany, Switzerland

Two high speed trains under station trainshed

LONDON — High speed rail operator Eurostar, facing the prospect of competition from across Europe through the Channel Tunnel, has announced plans for new services of its own. But not soon. The company announced this week that it plans to launch three new routes in “the early 2030s” — London-Frankfurt, London-Geneva, and Amsterdam/Brussels-Geneva — once […]

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Former Amtrak CEO Anderson becomes chair of Norfolk Southern board

RichardAnderson

ATLANTA — Norfolk Southern’s board of directors has unanimously named Richard Anderson, former CEO at Northwest Airlines, Delta Airlines, and Amtrak, as its new independent board chair, effective immediately. The board has also agreed to reduce its size to 12 members. It had been expanded to 14 earlier this year [see “CSX and Norfolk Southern […]

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