Passenger Bus, Rail and Motorcoach Industry News

Supporters of a rail system that would connect Chicago to Iowa City, Des Moines and Omaha, Neb., pushed for plans to make the infrastructure improvements needed to start the service. While Illinois DOT offered funds to support the system, Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad opposes the project and the state match needed to obtain federal funding.

Charles “Steve” McClarty brings with him 39 years of railroad safety and operations experience in the rail industry. He held various positions with Amtrak in the Midwest and most recently, while at the Illinois DOT, he served as the Bureau Chief.

The Illinois DOT will invest the funds in the Englewood Flyover, a grade separation project south of Chicago Union Station that eliminates one of the most delay-prone intersections in the entire Amtrak system. It separates Rock Island District Metra commuter trains from Amtrak passenger trains traveling on the Norfolk Southern corridor.

The vehicles, manufactured by Gillig, were funded through a series of federal grants, and feature automated voice annunciation with interior display; enhanced on-board video surveillance systems; an enhanced wheelchair restraint system; LED lighting; and fuel-fired heaters.