As California's four-year drought worsens and water supplies dwindle in the state, an old technology-railroads-could play a role in alleviating some water shortages.  "We certainly have that capability today," said Mike Trevino, a spokesman for privately held BNSF Railway, which operates one of the largest freight railroad networks in North America. "We carry chlorine, for example. We carry liquefied commodities."

Since positive train control (PTC) implementation was federally mandated in 2008, CSX Corp. has spent about $1.3 billion and handled thousands of tasks associated with adopting the technology. But similar to what most Class Is are facing, it'll take much more money and work for CSX to finish the PTC job.

The MTA says subway ridership has hit its highest level in more than 65 years.  According to the agency's newly released data, 5.6 million people rode the subway on an average weekday last year. That number is 6 million on an average weekend.  Brooklyn experienced the biggest jump in ridership. Average daily ridership on the M line between Marcy and Metropolitan Avenues was up 6.2 percent, and every stop on the L train line saw an increase.

USDOT - May 1, 2015  

Today, the U.S. Department of Transportation is issuing a final rule that will enhance the safety of transporting flammable liquids -including crude oil and ethanol- by rail.  We are in the midst of an unprecedented increase in North American energy production.  This boom in continental production has pushed America's dependence on foreign oil to a 40 year low, created jobs, and helped grow our economy.

Chicago Tribune - May 5, 2015

Dorval Carter Jr., a former acting CTA president whose career in public transit in Chicago and Washington has spanned more than 30 years, will be named the transit agency's new leader Tuesday, officials said Monday.
Carter, who will become the first African-American CTA president, replaces Forrest Claypool, who has been CTA president since the beginning of the Emanuel administration in 2011. The mayor recently asked Claypool to become City Hall chief of staff during the second term.

Business representatives from Montgomery and Prince George's counties touted the predicted economic benefits of the Purple Line Monday at the release of an updated study on the 16-mile light rail system.  The event served as part of a larger effort on behalf of both counties to convince Gov. Larry Hogan to move forward with the Purple Line, a $2.45 billion project with 21 stops across the two counties.  

Congress has seen various proposals floated to scale back federal investment in transportation, including a plan to end the 18.4¢-per-gallon federal gasoline tax and shift full responsibility to the states. The data and graphics in this analysis demonstrate what that move would mean for taxpayers, who would have to make up the difference in each state...or accept multi-million dollar decreases in funding and deteriorating conditions on an annual basis.

San Francisco Mayor Ed Lee and the Board of Supervisors Monday announced new investments in the city's transportation initiatives including an additional $48.1 million in funding in San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency (SFMTA)'s proposed budget for the fiscal year 2015-16.