• (Per Bloomberg Government) Senate Environment and Public Works Committee Chair Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV) said Tuesday she won’t introduce a draft surface transportation reauthorization until the final weeks of the year.

  “It won’t be until after the election,” she told Bloomberg Government at the Capitol. “We would like to have gotten it out.”

   

  Ongoing efforts such as permitting reform have taken precedence in recent months, added Capito, whose committee is traditionally the starting point in the Senate for a highway bill.

  Funding authorities affecting highway, bridge, transit, and rail programs expire on Dec. 11, about four weeks after the Nov. 3 midterm election. Lawmakers set that date as part of a continuing resolution to keep the government funded after they appeared unlikely to meet an original Sept. 30 deadline.

   

  A proposed five-year, $580 billion reauthorization (H.R. 8870) has stalled in the House after clearing the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee in May. The House bill includes controversial provisions such as a proposed user fee on electric and hybrid vehicles, a mandate for two-person train crews, and a liability shield for ride hail apps such as Uber.

COMMUTER RAILROADS REAP FTA STATION AWARDS

The U.S. Department of Transportation has announced $233 million in federal funding to improve accessibility at older rail transit stations across five states.

The funding - through the All Stations Accessibility Program (ASAP) - supports eight projects with upgrades such as elevators, raised platforms, and safer passenger crossings. Metra and MARC will both benefit from the funding announcement, as shown below.

Full Info: Trump's Transportation Department Delivers $233 Million to Modernize Transit Infrastructure for American Families | FTA

Kaplan Kirsch LLP, in cooperation with the Commuter Rail Coalition and the DC Bar, is pleased to present the 2026 Passenger Rail Law Workshop. This year’s workshop will be held in Washington, DC, November 16 & 17. Attendees will learn fundamental legal principles that underlie virtually all elements of passenger rail from seasoned practitioners with decades of experience.

CLE credits will be applied for in select states and all attendees will receive a copy of the updated Passenger Rail Law Desk Reference, a comprehensive, user-friendly resource book that you can expect to be a well-used reference tool.

WHAT WE’RE READING

• Want More Trains? Then We Need to Talk About Insurance. (Rail Passenger)

• Amtrak and CN reach new host railroad operating agreement (TrainsPro)

• Controversial rail merger would increase traffic by 28% on this MI line, says group opposing deal (Michigan Farm News)

• North Texas council eyes comprehensive list of transportation projects for 2027 priorities (Fort Worth Report)

• InnoTrans at 30 (Railway Pro)

• NJTransit names Rogust GM of rail operations (Trains)