77 replies to this topic

[CNJRoss]

Metro Magazine, 3/23/20

 

Americans turn away from public transit as direct result of COVID-19

 

As a direct result of COVID-19, Americans are switching their travel habits from public transit to either staying at home or relying more on their cars. Based on a Northstar public opinion poll among 1,000 Americans, which found that 48% feel that riding public transit poses a high health risk due to the virus.
 

More specifically, between 30-40% of Americans report decreased usage of public transportation (subways, buses and light rail) as a direct result of COVID-19.

 

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[CNJRoss]

Progressive Railroading, 4/3/20

 

Transit-rail agencies implement crew, rider distancing measures

 

 

Metra in Chicago yesterday announced it has closed the cab car on all trains to passengers to protect its train crews from potential exposure to COVID-19.

 

Last week, the Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority (GCRTA) also installed plexiglass enclosures for booth attendants at Tower City Station to ensure distancing between riders and staff. Next week, GCRTA next will begin using ultra violet technology (UV-C) to enhance its disinfectant procedures at stations and on trains.

 

UV-C serves as an alternative to chemical disinfectant, which is not well tolerated by dogs in the transit police K-9 unit nor safe on sensitive electronic equipment. It is also more lightweight and easily transported by cleaning staff, GCRTA officials said in a press release.

 

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[CNJRoss]

Progressive Railroading 4/3/20

 

APTA calls for infrastructure bill in response to COVID-19

 

The American Public Transportation Association (APTA) endorsed U.S. Democratic House leaders' call this week for work on a fourth economic recovery legislative package in response to the coronavirus pandemic, with the next bill focused on infrastructure.

 

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) and Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Chairman Peter Fazio (D-Ore.) spoke April 1 about their plan to address the nation's growing infrastructure needs through their Moving Forward Framework, an infrastructure package first proposed in January. The proposal calls for a $489 billion investment over five years in surface transportation, including $105 billion for public transit and $55 billion for passenger rail.

 

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[KevinKorell]

This article in New Geography is about the relation between population density and the virus, but much attention is paid to various transit agencies that bring people between the suburbs and inner cities.

 

   Early Observations on the Pandemic and Population Density   

 

 

 

It still too early to draw precise conclusions on the extent to which the spread of the COVID-19 is related to urban population density. But there are important recurring themes. The following observations are made with the caveats that we are largely dealing with data inconsistent across geographies in terms of reporting and testing and preliminary.

 

Article

[CNJRoss]

4/8/20
 

 

 

 

 

 

APTA talks fed funding and life on the front line

Rail Group On Air's William C. Vantuono and Bill Wilson talk to APTA on how the federal stimulus package breaks down for transit and how life is on the front line.

 

LISTEN NOW

 

[CNJRoss]

VHSR email 4/8/20

 

 

I hope that you’re continuing to be safe during this pandemic. I wanted to share with you a few items.

 

First, thank you to everyone who contacted your Congressional representatives. We helped to secure over 1,400 messages in a matter of days to successfully secure $1 billion for Amtrak (of which over $200 million will be used to help support state sponsored trains like our Regionals to Roanoke, Richmond, Newport News, and Norfolk; as well as North Carolina’s Piedmont and Carolinian) that will also help maintain our National trains; and $25 billion for America’s public transit systems (of which Virginia is anticipated to receive $455 million). 

 

We could not have accomplished this without everyone who acted. It is vital that we keep our transportation network in tacit and ready to take folks back to work when this crisis is over. 

 

Second, we’ve launched a sign-on letter for organizations, businesses, and localities to thank our Congressional delegation for supporting the CARES Act of 2020 (COVID-19 stimulus).

 

Please take a moment and sign-on your organization/company/locality. 

 

Lastly, rest assured that we are working with stakeholders from around the nation, as well as our Congressional delegation to identify rail projects that can be included in an infrastructure/transportation stimulus relief package.  

 

Thank you again for your generous, and continued support of VHSR.

 

Regards,

Danny Plaugher
Executive Director

 

P.S: If you're able, please consider making a donation today to help VHSR continue fighting to save and improve our passenger rail trains! 

 

[CNJRoss]

IRJ 4/16/20
 

Rail industry faces strong growth post-coronavirus, UBS says

 

 

A UBS report has found that the Covid-19 pandemic could accelerate the shift of passengers from air to rail, post-lockdown, with greater than expected growth in the rail industry over the next 10 years.

 

The report from the Swiss multinational investment bank, By train or by plane? The traveller’s dilemma after Covid-19 and amid climate change

concerns, says counties are unlikely to abandon their ambition to reduce carbon emissions by 2050, and passengers are more likely accept longer travel times by train.

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[CNJRoss]

Progressive Railroading 4/16/20

 

APTA Chair Fernandez sets up transit recovery task force

 

 

American Public Transportation Association (APTA) Chairwoman Nuria Fernandez has established a task force to guide the transit agency's recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.

 

The APTA Mobility Recovery and Restoration Task Force will be led by Phillip Washington, chief executive officer of the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority and former APTA chair. Serving as task force co-chairs are Joanna Pinkerton, president and CEO of Central Ohio Transit Authority; and Paul Wiedefeld, general manager and CEO of the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority.

 

The task force will convene May 1 and complete its work by Sept. 1, Fernandez said in an email  to APTA members.

 

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[KevinKorell]

Citylab, 4/30/20:

 

   The Sudden Crash and Possible Comeback of Commuter Rail  

 

 

 

Last year, the fiscal management control board of MBTA, Boston’s regional transit agency, faced a critical decision. With area commuters enduring the worst car traffic in the United States, would the board greenlight a multi-billion-dollar revamp of its traditional commuter rail network, expanding it to offer bi-directional “regional rail” service every 15 minutes.

 

Article

[KevinKorell]

NBC New York, 5/2/20:

 

 

  NY Penn Station’s Amtrak, NJ Transit Concourses Closing Overnights    

 

 

Just as the city is closing all subway stations during overnight hours for deep cleaning, Penn Station will soon be following suit.

 

Starting Sunday May 3 at midnight, the concourses for Amtrak and NJ Transit will all be closed overnight so the transit hub and trains can be thoroughly cleaned, Amtrak said in an announcement Friday evening.

 

For this story look here.