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capitolHouse Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Chairman Bill Shuster (R-Pa.) and other committee leaders yesterday introduced the Passenger Rail Reform and Investment Act of 2015 (PRRIA), which would address infrastructure needs, transparency and other issues for Amtrak.

“By compelling Amtrak to operate more like a true business, cutting red tape, and opening the door to more private sector resources, we can make some long overdue improvements to passenger rail transportation in the United States,” Shuster said in a press release.

Raed the complete story at Progressive Railroading.

grade_crossing_webYour car is trapped between the crossing gates, and a train is speeding down the tracks, its horn blaring, its lights blazing in your direction.

What do you do?

Hit the gas pedal and crash through the gate, or ditch your car and start running, experts say. And don’t waste any time deliberating over it.

Read the complete story at the Associated Press.

union_pacific_logoUnion Pacific’s board of directors today elected Lance M. Fritz president and chief executive officer, effective immediately. He also was elected to the company’s board of directors. Fritz had been president and chief operating officer since Feb. 6, 2014.

Fritz, 52, succeeds John J. (Jack) Koraleski, who was named executive chairman.

“Lance has the right combination of leadership skills, experience and expertise required to lead one of America’s largest and most successful companies,” said Steven Rogel, Union Pacific’s lead independent director. “The board regularly reviews and updates its robust management succession plan, and we are confident Union Pacific will continue to deliver industry-leading customer service and strong shareholder returns under Lance’s guidance.”

“I am humbled and privileged to have the opportunity to lead Union Pacific,” Fritz said. “Our experienced leadership team is unparalleled and will continue to play a key role in shaping Union Pacific’s strategy. They join me in sharing all of our employees’ passion for our mission to serve customers, shareholders and communities.”

Fritz was executive vice president – Operations from 2010-2014, and previously served as vice president – Labor Relations. Prior to that, he was regional vice president – Southern Region after serving as regional vice president – Northern Region. He began his career with Union Pacific in marketing and sales as vice president and general manager – Energy.

Before joining Union Pacific, Fritz worked for Fiskars, Inc., Cooper Industries, and General Electric. A Simi, Calif., native, Fritz is a graduate of Bucknell University and earned a master’s degree in management from the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University.

He serves on a number of industry boards and committees and is chairman of the United Way of the Midlands board of directors.

Koraleski, 64, was appointed president and CEO in March 2012. An Omaha native, he was elected to the board of directors in July 2012 and as chairman of the board in March 2014. He joined the railroad in 1972.

“Jack’s leadership helped guide Union Pacific to unprecedented financial performance with 12 consecutive quarters of record earnings results,” Rogel said. “More importantly, Jack steered Union Pacific through an unexpected and challenging leadership transition period. We are incredibly grateful for his energy, efforts and dedication.”

nebraska-mdAt a time when rail safety is making national headlines, the dangers of train travel and campaign cash are on a collision course in Lincoln.

Some state lawmakers are backing a plan to force the state’s two major railroads, Union Pacific and Burlington Northern Santa Fe, to run trains with no fewer than two crew members.

Read the complete story at Watchdog.org.

PrintAnthem, one of the nation’s largest health insurers, said Feb. 4 that the personal information of tens of millions of its customers and employees, including its chief executive, was the subject of a “very sophisticated external cyberattack.”

The company, which is continuing its investigation into the exact scope of the attack, said hackers were able to breach a database that contained as many as 80 million records of current and former customers, as well as employees. The information accessed included names, Social Security numbers, birthdays, addresses, email and employment information, including income data.

President and CEO Joseph R. Swedish has issued the following statement:

“Safeguarding your personal, financial and medical information is one of our top priorities, and because of that, we have state-of-the-art information security systems to protect your data. However, despite our efforts, Anthem was the target of a very sophisticated external cyber attack. These attackers gained unauthorized access to Anthem’s IT system and have obtained personal information from our current and former members such as their names, birthdays, medical IDs/social security numbers, street addresses, email addresses and employment information, including income data. Based on what we know now, there is no evidence that credit card or medical information, such as claims, test results or diagnostic codes were targeted or compromised.

“Once the attack was discovered, Anthem immediately made every effort to close the security vulnerability, contacted the FBI and began fully cooperating with their investigation. Anthem has also retained Mandiant, one of the world’s leading cybersecurity firms, to evaluate our systems and identify solutions based on the evolving landscape.

“Anthem’s own associates’ personal information – including my own – was accessed during this security breach. We join you in your concern and frustration, and I assure you that we are working around the clock to do everything we can to further secure your data.

“Anthem will individually notify current and former members whose information has been accessed. We will provide credit monitoring and identity protection services free of charge so that those who have been affected can have peace of mind. We have created a dedicated website – www.AnthemFacts.com – where members can access information such as frequent questions and answers. We have also established a dedicated toll-free number that both current and former members can call if they have questions related to this incident. That number is: 1-877-263-7995. As we learn more, we will continually update this website and share that information you.

“I want to personally apologize to each of you for what has happened, as I know you expect us to protect your information. We will continue to do everything in our power to make our systems and security processes better and more secure, and hope that we can earn back your trust and confidence in Anthem.”

 

 

As the investigation into the deadliest accident in the history of the Metro-North Railroad got underway on Wednesday, officials said they still could not explain how or why a sport-utility vehicle became stranded on the train tracks.

A crowded commuter train traveling north through Westchester County slammed into the S.U.V. on Tuesday (Feb. 3) night, setting off a devastating explosion and fire that killed six people. Fifteen people were being treated at local hospitals, state officials said.

Read the complete story at The New York Times.

The Alaska Railroad is applying to become the nation’s first railroad system to ship natural gas by rail, a move that comes as the state looks for cheap ways to deliver the product to Fairbanks.

Alaska Railroad Corp. CEO Bill O’Leary told the Senate Finance Committee on Feb. 2 that the public corporation will apply this week with the Federal Railroad Administration to carry liquefied natural gas containers.

Read the complete story at the Fairbanks Daily News-Miner.

U.S. freight railroads plan to spend an estimated $29 billion on the nation’s rail network, and project to hire about 15,000 people in 2015, the Association of American Railroads (AAR) reported Feb. 2 in its 2015 Outlook. These high-paying jobs, and record private spending will further strengthen an essential transportation system that is today powering a U.S. economic comeback.

“By providing affordable, efficient and reliable transportation of goods, from lumber to oil to auto parts and grain, freight railroads continue to play a vital role in the positive economic trends rippling through the U.S. economy – including rising gross domestic product, improving employment statistics and plummeting gasoline and heating prices,” said AAR President and CEO Edward R. Hamberger. 

The planned $29 billion in projected spending in 2015 – or approximately $79 million a day – brings the freight railroads’ private investments to $575 billion since 1980. The spending has covered upgraded track, new locomotives and freight cars needed to meet growing demand and make a safe network even safer. 

“Unlike most other transportation modes, freight railroads rely on their own funds, not taxpayer dollars, to build and maintain their networks,” Hamberger said. “The result of spending more than half-a-trillion dollars of private funds over the last couple of decades makes this country’s freight rail system the envy of the world.” 

The new rail hires, which an estimated 20 percent will be veterans, join the ranks of those with compensation, including benefits, among the highest of any industry, averaging $109,700 per year.

Sound public policy and today’s balanced economic regulations, Hamberger noted, make it possible to offer high-paying rail jobs and provide the affordable and efficient service American businesses need and expect if they are to compete in a global marketplace. 

“The rail industry’s ability to move more of what our economy needs rests on its ability to earn the capital necessary to continue record private investments, while supporting jobs across the country,” Hamberger said. “With the right federal policies in place, the world’s best rail network is on track to be even better.”

Amtrak LogoST. LOUIS – The expense of installing mandated train collision avoidance technology is putting passenger service in Missouri at risk, according to the state Department of Transportation.

The equipment, which is designed to override human error, is supposed to be in place by Dec. 31, the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.

Read the complete story at the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.

Amtrak LogoA New York college student with measles boarded an Amtrak station from Penn Station earlier this week and may have exposed other passengers to the contagious virus.

The student at Bard College in Dutchess County took Amtrak train #283 from Penn Station to Albany, according to state health officials. He got off in Rhinecliff, N.Y.

Read the complete story at ABC News.