Rail, port and cargo security measures sit in Congress
More attention was focused on aviation security this past year, while little has been done to make railroad passengers secure.
Railroads, ports and cargo planes may have been left vulnerable to terrorist attacks while attention was focused on aviation security in the past year, reported the Associated Press. Members of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation said Tuesday they were concerned that Congress had done little to increase security for other kinds of transportation during a hearing to review progress in aviation security, reported the AP. Although the House and Senate passed a bill to make ports less vulnerable to terrorist attack, funding sources for the $1.2 billion cost are still needed. Another bill to increase cargo security has languished, while little has been done to make railroad passengers secure, said the AP. "We can't see this as just an aviation issue," said Transportation Security Administration Chief James Loy during the committee hearing.
More Rail

Amtrak Finalizes Pre-Development Agreement for Penn Station Overhaul
The agreement advances plans for a $7 billion to $8 billion transformation of New York's busiest transit hub, with construction expected to begin by the end of 2027.
Read More →
New York MTA Leverages Zoning Program to Advance Station Accessibility
Accessibility enhancements at Nevins St Station will be financed through a development agreement tied to the MTA's Zoning for Accessibility initiative.
Read More →
Virginia's $28.5B Transportation Plan Targets Transit and Rail
Approved by the Commonwealth Transportation Board, the program supports ongoing infrastructure projects while providing new investments in transit, state of good repair and transportation alternatives.
Read More →
DOT: Brightline Corridor Incidents Fall 30% Following Federal Safety Upgrades
Safety improvements funded through a $25 million federal investment are credited with reducing trespassing and train-vehicle collisions along the Brightline Florida corridor.
Read More →
D Line Expansion Fuels Growth Across LA Metro's Rail System
Weekend rail ridership was especially strong, soaring 18% as riders embraced expanded access to jobs, entertainment, dining, and cultural destinations, said the agency. Total system ridership for May, including bus and rail, was 26,966,657.
Read More →
Southern California's Metrolink Debuts Contactless Fare Payment Pilot
Customers traveling between Redlands and Los Angeles can now tap their preferred payment method, including a credit or debit card, mobile wallet, or wearable device, at station validators before boarding and again while exiting.
Read More →
California's BART Approves FY27 Budget While Maintaining Service Levels
The budget covers July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2027, a period when pandemic emergency funds run out, the District faces a structural deficit of $375 million, and a regional transit funding measure may appear on the November ballot.
Read More →
Penn Station Transformation Advances with Design Unveiling
The historic redesign will transform the busiest transit hub in the Western Hemisphere from the tracks to the street level, creating a more efficient, cleaner, and functional experience for more than 600,000 daily commuters and millions of visitors.
Read More →
Second Avenue Subway Phase 2 Advances into Major Construction Stage
New York Governor Kathy Hochul joined leadership from the MTA, elected officials, and Harlem community leaders to break ground on the major construction stage of the transformative Second Avenue Subway Phase 2 project.
Read More →
The Invisible Infrastructure of Passenger Flow
What a seat reservation system on Austria’s Railjet trains reveals about the future of rider experience, and why U.S. agencies should pay attention.
Read More →