MBTA launches South Coast Rail service (updated)

People standing on platform waiting to board commuter train

BOSTON — Massachusetts’ South Coast Rail commuter operation is now officially in service. The 37-mile addition to the MBTA commuter rail network launched today (March 24, 2025), with the Fall River Herald News reporting that well over 100 people were on hand to catch the first train, a  scheduled 4:27 a.m. departure from New Bedford. […]

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NJ Transit cuts fares for commuters affected by I-80 closure

Map of NJ Transit rail lines between Hackettstown, N.J., and New York City

NEWARK, N.J. — Beginning Monday, March 24, NJ Transit is cutting ticket costs in half  for travel from five stations shared by its Morristown and Montclair-Boonton lines to provide an alternative for commuters during the emergency closure of Interstate 80 in Wharton, N.J. The highway has been closed in both directions because of sinkholes likely […]

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MBTA gets federal approval to start South Coast Rail service

View from platform of new commuter rail station

BOSTON — The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority has received federal approval to begin South Coast Rail service, clearing the way for the launch of the expanded commuter rail operation on Monday, March 24. The Fall River Herald News reports the MBTA was informed the Federal Railroad Administration had granted approval on Friday, March 21, according […]

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MBTA expands free service for launch of South Coast Rail

Map of rail lines in southeastern Massachusetts

<hrL BOSTON — The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority’s South Coast Rail service, scheduled to launch on Monday, March 24, will offer free weekday service through March 31, the MBTA has announced. The free weekday trial period is in addition to previously announced free weekend service through the end of April [see “Schedule released …,” Trains […]

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Federal government pushes back deadline to end New York’s congestion pricing

Street sign for New York congestion pricing zone

NEW YORK — The federal government has pushed back its deadline for New York to end its congestion tolling program in Manhattan — but Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy clearly isn’t happy about it. In a social media post today (March 20, 2025) addressed to Gov. Kathy Hochul, Duffy said the date to end the tolling […]

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Four rail bridges on list of those needing assessment of collapse risk in ship collision

Some of the nation’s most famous bridges, including four that carry rail or rail transit traffic, are on a list of 68 the National Transportation Safety Board says need to be assessed to determine their vulnerability to collapse if struck by an ocean-going vessel. The list — which includes such landmarks as the Golden Gate […]

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Three railroads selected for ASLRRA Business Development Awards

Train with blue and gray locomotives passing factory

WASHINGTON — Three railroads — the Belpre Industrial Parkersburg, South Kansas & Oklahoma, and Union County Industrial — have been named by the American Short Line and Regional Railroad Association as winners of its 2025 Business Development Award. The award goes to railroads that show leadership and innovation with advancements in service, operations, and economic […]

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Citing crime concerns, federal government threatens to withhold funding from New York MTA

Subway train arriving at station

NEW YORK — Escalating a fight between the Metropolitan Transportation Authority and the Trump administration, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy has threatened to withhold federal funding if the transit agency does not provide information on how it is addressing crime. In a letter to MTA CEO Janno Lieber, Duffy requested information on how the MTA’s New […]

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Canadian ports facing container delays from weather, rail issues

Locomotive switching at container terminal

Delays are hampering intermodal operations at several container ports in North America as weather and rail woes hit gateways on both coasts, according to a DHL port update for March. On the east coast, Canada’s Port of Halifax is seeing significant vessel delays due to harsh North Atlantic weather conditions. Compounding this issue is an […]

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MBTA Green Line trains involved in minor collision

Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority logo

BOSTON — No injuries were reported after a minor collision between two Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority Green Line trolleys on Wednesday evening, WCVB-TV reports. MBTA CEO Phillip Eng told reporters during a Thursday media event that one of the trains rolled about 3 feet into the other train, and the two trains coupled. “Technically, it […]

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Two hurt as CSX trains collide in Baltimore yard

Portion of image from X.com of derailed cars in yard. Use only as teaser image

FOX45 drone is over a train derailment in South Baltimore near Frankfurst Ave and Shell Road right now. MDOT and MTA confirm it is not impacting MARC services. We’re waiting for more info from CSX. More: https://t.co/FCtNt7Ix6Z@FOXBaltimore pic.twitter.com/qPJlDlWAXt — Ashley Cusicanqui FOX45 (@ashleycusitv) March 14, 2025 BALTIMORE — Two crew members were taken to hospitals […]

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With Baltimore tunnel project under way, CSX detours 16-plus trains per day

BALTIMORE — Just hours after empty coal train E730 rolled through the Howard Street Tunnel at 3:35 a.m. Feb. 1, a small army of contractors and CSX workers arrived to begin removing the 1.7-mile tunnel’s single track. The 100-car coal train was the last through the 1895 Baltimore & Ohio tunnel, which will be shut […]

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