217.370.8505 cory@bletislb.org

Railroads to Investors: ‘We Got This’

Jan 8, 2024

In 2024, rail lobbyists, attorneys and influencers will toil to block costly rail safety legislation, derail a bill delimiting management operating-plan discretion and thwart unwelcome STB and Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) decrees.
Topping challenges is the Rail Safety Act (S. 576), hastily born of populist politics following train mishaps, including a February 2023 Norfolk Southern derailment in East Palestine, Ohio, that terrifyingly spilled and ignited hazardous chemicals—the cleanup costs approaching $1 billion

CTA to resume Yellow Line operations on Friday, ending 50-day shutdown

Jan 4, 2024

CTA to resume Yellow Line operations on Friday, ending 50-day shutdown CHICAGO — Service on the Chicago Transit Authority’s Yellow Line — the 4.7-mile route colloquially known as the Skokie Swift — will resume Friday, Jan. 5, ending a 50-day suspension following a...

CTA: No timetable for reopening of Yellow Line

Jan 3, 2024

CTA: No timetable for reopening of Yellow Line The Chicago Transit Authority said Wednesday that there is still no timetable for the reopening of the Yellow Line following a November crash that left 19 people hospitalized. Responding to an inquiry from NBC Chicago, a...

FRA’s train crew size rule moves forward

Jan 2, 2024

FRA’s train crew size rule moves forward The Federal Railroad Administration has submitted its final rule on train crew staffing to the U.S. Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review, with the final rule potentially being released in March, according to OMB’s...