Other People's Rail: Amtrak, commuter rail, rapid transit news & views outside New England

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Book Now for Amtrak Mardi Gras Service starting August 18 - Amtrak Media

Amtrak Guest Rewards members get free trips faster on this new route MOBILE, Ala., and NEW ORLEANS – Tickets are now available for new twice-daily Amtrak

media.amtrak.com

MOBILE, Ala., and NEW ORLEANS – Tickets are now available for new twice-daily Amtrak intercity train service starting Aug. 18 between Mobile, Ala., and New Orleans, along the Mississippi Gulf Coast. The new state-sponsored Amtrak Mardi Gras Service will offer convenient morning and evening departures from both cities – plus a promotion to introduce Amtrak Guest Rewards to the region.
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Adult coach fares end-to-end start at $15 each way, less for shorter distances. There are everyday discounts for children ages 2-12, students, seniors, veterans, military personnel and families, small groups, large groups, and others.

 

[F-Line to Dudley]

"Sources, however, say Deutsche Bahn pushed for ambitious, European-style changes, while some of the Crown agency’s leadership resisted, insistent that things work differently in Canada."

F%^*ing hell. Worse; did they mean worse? They meant to say worse, right? What an awful, unfunny joke. We're never fixing this problem.

Metrolinx has finally detailed how much "worse" it's going to be: https://urbantoronto.ca/forum/threa...ication-metrolinx.20729/page-250#post-2244282

Pretty freaking worse. And electrification won't go into effect--on 3 lines only--until 2035-38, which is absolutely insane given that they've been planning it for over 10 years now.


"Can't-build" mentality runs rampant throughout the whole of North America, not just in 'Murica Fuck Yeah.

 

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MTA launches next eminent domain push for Second Ave subway

The agency is looking to seize 10 sites in East Harlem as it continues on its lengthy quest to extend the underground transit line.

therealdeal.com

The agency filed a petition in Manhattan’s state Supreme Court to begin eminent domain proceedings against 10 sites in East Harlem, Crain’s reported. The MTA is looking to seize and demolish the sites, clearing the way for two subway entrances on East 116th Street.

The properties are on Second Avenue between East 115th and East 119th streets. Residential buildings, stores and a church are among the buildings that could be sacrificed. Impacted owners include Great Neck’s Ziva and Nasir Sasouness, the Shamooil family, the Movtady family and Aaron From’s Afco Development LLC.
From here, the MTA will spend four weeks making offers to property owners for the affected sites. Owners will have four months to either accept the agency’s offer or challenge it in court.