Category: Amtrak/Commuter News
FRA unveils vison for Northeast Corridor
The Federal Railroad Administration is currently managing a comprehensive planning effort to define, evaluate and prioritize future levels of investment in the Northeast Corridor (NEC) through 2040. This effort, launched in February 2012 and called NEC FUTURE, will produce a [...]Obama budget seeks $40B for passenger rail
The Obama Administration yesterday released its budget request for fiscal year 2014 and the President has once again put forth a plan for transforming and expanding train service in the United States. The president is requesting $40 billion in passenger rail investment over t [...]UP engineer rescues puppy tied to tracks
MECCA, Calif. — Last week, a 10-month-old poodle-terrier mix was found tied to the railroad tracks. An engineer spotted an old man walking near the railroad tracks and noticed that the man had left something behind. The engineer was able to stop the train in time using [...]
Amtrak ridership growth continues in 2013
WASHINGTON — Amtrak ridership increased in the first half of fiscal year 2013 (Oct. 2012 – March 2013) and March set a record as the single best month ever in the history of America’s Railroad®. In addition, October, December, and January each set individual month [...]Disability annuities for railroad employees
The Railroad Retirement Act provides disability annuities for railroaders who become totally or occupationally disabled. Medicare coverage before age 65 is also available for totally disabled employees and those suffering from ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis) or chronic ki [...]UTU poll finds support for Amtrak
A public opinion survey done for the United Transportation Union found strong support for Amtrak in three conservative, Republican-dominated districts where service exists. Less than a quarter of respondents favored eliminating Amtrak funding. The survey focused on three dist [...]
Szabo: Our vision for high speed rail in America
The following message was sent to the UTU National Legislative Office from Federal Railroad Administrator Joe Szabo: Whenever one is discussing an ambitious, long-term program, like our high speed and intercity passenger rail program, it is helpful to remind ourselves – and o [...]AFL-CIO and Union Privilege offer scholarship
The AFL-CIO and Union Privilege (also known as Union Plus) announced today they have partnered together to offer students a chance to win scholarships commemorating the 50th Anniversary of the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom. They will award 50 scholarships of $5,000 [...]