NSHR To Be Honored for ‘Veterans Engagement’
North Shore Railroad (NSHR) will be honored with the 2026 Veterans Engagement Award by the American Short Line and Regional Railroad Association at its upcoming conference in Minneapolis. The award recognizes NSHR’s extensive veteran recruitment, retention and community initiatives, including a 15% veteran workforce, average 15‑year tenure, and a 70% promotion rate. NSHR’s dedicated “Veterans Unit” locomotives have raised $32,000 through fundraising train rides supporting veteran charities, while daily freight operations keep the tribute visible to the public. The railroad’s comprehensive approach sets a benchmark for short‑line railroads’ corporate social responsibility.
SMART-TD Urges Congress to Support UP-NS Merger
The International Association of Sheet Metal, Air, Rail, and Transportation Workers – Transportation Division (SMART‑TD) sent a letter to Congress urging support for the Union Pacific‑Norfolk Southern (UP‑NS) merger. The union argues the deal will stabilize the rail workforce, create...
Mercedes Wants To Buy 24% Of Alpine's F1 Team, But Alpine Confident That It Will Change Nothing
Mercedes is negotiating to acquire a 24% stake in the Alpine F1 team, currently owned by venture‑capital firm Otro Capital, which includes celebrity investors such as Ryan Reynolds and Rory McIlroy. Alpine’s de‑facto boss Flavio Briatore assures that Mercedes will...
Could Stellantis Bring in a Partner for Europe?
Stellantis is reportedly exploring partnerships with Chinese automakers such as Xiaomi and Xpeng to bolster its struggling European operations. Discussions include possible equity stakes in brands like Maserati and access to electric‑vehicle and software technology, while the group aims to...
Another Reminder of the Futility of Carpool Lanes
Caltrans has shortened the morning HOV lane hours on US 101 through Marin and Sonoma counties, now restricting southbound access to 6‑9 am and northbound to 3‑6:30 pm. The 16‑mile Marin‑Sonoma Narrows project, opened in September 2025 at a cost of $762 million, completes...
Mitsubishi Fuso Sets up Global Engineering Hub in India
Mitsubishi Fuso Truck and Bus Corporation has inaugurated the Fuso Tech Centre India (FTCI) in Kanchipuram, Tamil Nadu, creating a 2,847 m² global engineering hub. The centre consolidates product development, cost engineering, IT, digital solutions and procurement under one roof, and features...
Middle East Shipping Disruptions Boost US Position as Top LNG Exporter
Historic shipping disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz have halted roughly 20% of global LNG flow, prompting buyers to seek alternatives. The United States, already the world’s largest LNG exporter, is set to nearly double its export capacity by 2031,...
Toyota Recalls over 141K Prius Models for Rear Door Switch Water Intrusion
Toyota announced a recall of over 141,000 Prius and Prius Prime hybrids from model years 2023‑2026 due to a rear‑door switch defect that can cause doors to open unexpectedly when water, especially with surfactants, infiltrates the switch. The issue arises...
'The Chinese Will Eat Our Lunch': Europe's EV Trucking Industry Is Scared As Hell
Chinese EV manufacturers are targeting Europe’s commercial‑vehicle market with battery‑electric trucks that could be up to 30% cheaper than current European models. The report highlights that Chinese trucks already represent 29% of heavy‑duty sales in China, while Europe lags at...
The Duopoly Endgame: What Happens When Every Market Has Only Two Platforms
The article warns that restaurant‑delivery markets are converging into duopolies, mirroring past consolidations in aviation, telecom and grocery sectors. It argues that without genuine rivalry, innovation stalls, prices creep up and promotional incentives fade. The piece highlights how disruptive entrants—hyper‑local...
Backing The Next Generation Of Rail And Data Talent
RailBI announced a partnership with Sterna Racing, a five‑student team from James Gillespie’s High School competing in the national STEM Racing competition. The team has earned multiple accolades, including second place at the UK National Finals, Best Pit Display, and...
Passenger Transport: Maharashtra Pauses New Rickshaw, Taxi Permits; E-Rickshaws and E-Bikes to Require Licences
Maharashtra has temporarily halted issuance of new auto‑rickshaw and taxi permits while requiring e‑rickshaws and e‑bikes to obtain licences. The move seeks a uniform regulatory framework for all passenger‑transport vehicles, including electric models. Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik announced a forthcoming...
Kia Explains Why The 2027 Telluride No Longer Has A V6
Kia announced that the 2027 Telluride will drop its 3.8‑liter naturally aspirated V6 in favor of a 2.5‑liter turbocharged four‑cylinder, adding a hybrid option as well. The new turbo I4 produces 311 lb‑ft of torque at 1,700 rpm, surpassing the V6’s 262 lb‑ft...
RideCo Technology Helping to Improve Dispatch Experience for Transit Operations
RideCo showcased its Solver technology in a March 11 webinar, highlighting how advanced dispatch platforms can replace legacy, manual dispatch rooms in public‑transit agencies. The company argues that traditional dispatchers juggle scheduling, GPS, and communications manually, leading to slower disruption response,...
NJ Transit, Amtrak Host Inaugural Ride on New Portal North Bridge Ahead of Launch
NJ Transit and Amtrak held an inaugural ride on the new Portal North Bridge in Kearny, New Jersey, marking the first track’s entry into passenger service on March 16. The two‑track, 50‑foot high‑level bridge replaces a 116‑year‑old swing bridge, eliminating delays...
Hitachi Rail Unveils Next-Generation Fare Validator Designed for Sustainability and Maintainability
Hitachi Rail introduced the BV700, a next‑generation fare validator that expands on the BV600 platform deployed in 10 countries. The new device comes in 5‑inch and 7‑inch touch‑screen formats and supports contactless cards, QR codes, ultra‑wide‑band and facial‑recognition ticketing. Its...
Tolar Manufacturing Delivers New Transit Shelters, Benches to Ark-Tex Council of Governments
Tolar Manufacturing completed delivery of 28 Niagara Series non‑advertising transit shelters and loop‑arm benches for the Ark‑Tex Council of Governments, covering stops in Texarkana and Paris, Texas. The five‑year contract, awarded in September 2024, saw 16 shelters installed in April...
Victory Cruise Lines Invests $5M in Fleet Upgrades
Victory Cruise Lines announced a $5 million investment to upgrade its two flagship vessels, Victory I and Victory II, during the 2026 layup period. The program covers major engine overhauls, crane recertifications, drydock work, exterior repainting, and extensive interior refurbishments,...
MODEX 2026: Q&A with MHI CEO John Paxton
MODEX 2026, the premier supply‑chain expo in Atlanta, will host over 1,060 exhibitors and more than 50,000 registered attendees, marking an 8% increase in physical footprint to 630,000 square feet. CEO John Paxton of MHI highlighted record growth as a...
Peru to Advance Barranca - Trujillo Feasibility Study
Peru's government and the Development Bank of Latin America and the Caribbean (CAF) signed a technical cooperation agreement providing a $4 million grant for the feasibility study of the Barranca‑Trujillo railway. The study, estimated at $10.8 million, receives roughly 37 % of its...
LNW Receives $27MM CRISI Grant To Rehabilitate Track
Louisiana and North West Railroad (LNW) secured a $27,320,000 CRISI grant, complemented by a $5,580,000 local match, to fund a $32.9 million track‑rehabilitation project. The initiative will replace rail and upgrade 44 miles of the McNeil Subdivision between Magnolia, Arkansas and Gibsland,...
Querétaro - Irapuato Facilities Contract Awarded
A consortium led by Spanish builder Aldesa secured a $173 million contract to design and construct the refuelling stations, workshops, depots and maintenance base for the under‑construction Querétaro‑Irapuato passenger line. The award follows a November 2025 contract to Mota‑Engil for the...
My Travel Dilemma: Book Flights Now Before Airfares Rise…Or Wait?
Airline fuel costs are climbing as oil prices surge amid heightened Middle‑East tensions, prompting a wave of fare increases and new fuel surcharges. Travelers, like the author, face a classic dilemma: lock in today’s relatively modest $800‑plus round‑trip tickets to...
ChargePoint Offers Charging Solutions for Ford Pro Customers
Ford Pro and ChargePoint have launched a joint venture in Germany and the UK to provide tailored electric‑vehicle charging solutions for commercial fleets. The offering covers home, depot and workplace installations, leveraging ChargePoint’s expertise in site planning, installation and management. It...
Ticket Sales for TGV INOUI, OUIGO, and INTERCITÉS Are Now Open
SNCF Voyageurs has opened ticket sales for its TGV INOUI, OUIGO and INTERCITÉS services, unveiling a slate of summer‑focused capacity upgrades. TGV INOUI adds 200,000 seats to Marseille and Nice and 60,000 seats to the Paris‑Annecy Alpine corridor, while expanding weekend routes from...
Oakland’s Speed Cameras Start Ticketing Sunday. Here Are the Hot Spots
Oakland’s 35 automated speed cameras logged 140,445 violations in five weeks, averaging 3,601 speeders per day. After a 60‑day warning period, the city will begin mailing tickets on Sunday, with fines ranging from $50 to $500. This makes Oakland the...
Vehicle Tech Week Europe Announces Strategic Partnerships with PAVE Europe, ASAM and FISITA
Vehicle Tech Week Europe, organized by UKi Media & Events, has secured strategic partnerships with PAVE Europe, ASAM and FISITA. The three‑day Stuttgart showcase, running June 23‑25, 2026, will combine the Automotive Testing Expo, Autonomous Vehicle Tech Expo and Automotive...
Study: Self-Driving Cars Could Raise VMT by 6%, Increasing Congestion
A University of Texas‑Arlington analysis predicts that a major shift to autonomous vehicles in U.S. cities would lift vehicle miles traveled (VMT) by about 6%, even when users switch from privately owned cars to shared robotaxis. The study warns that...
Next Operator Appointed to Run Dublin’s Luas Trams
Transport Infrastructure Ireland and the National Transport Authority have awarded a €1.3 bn contract to KeolisAmey to operate and maintain Dublin’s Luas tram network from 1 September 2026. The seven‑year deal, with an optional six‑year extension, replaces Transdev after more than two decades....
Around the Commercial Drone Industry: Public Safety Partnership, Updates to Blue UAS List, and GrubHub Drone Delivery
DRONERESPONDERS signed a national operations agreement with the National Real‑Time Crime Center Association to fast‑track Drone‑as‑First‑Responder (DFR) programs across U.S. emergency agencies. The Defense Contract Management Agency took over the Blue UAS Cleared List from the Defense Innovation Unit, aiming...
BlueBox Systems Launches “Tradelane Intelligence”
BlueBox Systems unveiled Tradelane Intelligence, a data analytics platform that fuses AI‑verified airfreight information with premium ocean freight data from Vizion. The solution delivers real‑time dashboards for comparing carriers on transit times, punctuality, data compliance and CO₂ emissions, enabling both...
Belgium and Netherlands Seek to Improve Cross-Border Connections
Belgium and the Netherlands signed a letter of intent to deepen cooperation on cross‑border rail passenger and freight services, creating bilateral working groups that will meet twice a year and report annually. The partnership targets ERTMS harmonisation, capacity upgrades, and...
Nordic Air Cargo Symposium Comes to Latvia
The Nordic Air Cargo Symposium returns on 27‑28 April 2026 in Riga, Latvia, serving as the sole regional gathering for Northern Europe’s air freight sector. The two‑day event combines a networking reception, a full‑day conference and, for the first time,...
Quito Announces Airport Expansion and New Routes
At ACI Airport Day in Quito, global aviation experts discussed the emerging "airport city" model and its economic potential. Corporación Quiport announced a 5,000 sq m expansion of Mariscal Sucre International Airport’s cargo terminal, a new cargo aircraft stand and upgraded truck staging,...
Italy Weighs Options as Damaged Russian LNG Tanker Drifts in the Mediterranean
A Russian LNG tanker, the Arctic Metagaz, was struck by Ukrainian naval drones and left drifting in the Mediterranean between Italy and Malta. The vessel’s 30 crew were evacuated, and while the hull remains afloat, the amount of LNG on board...
LATAM Strengthens Grip on South American Airfreight Market
LATAM Group closed 2025 with a 30% share of South America’s airfreight market, moving over one million tonnes and generating US$1.7 billion in cargo revenue, which accounts for 11.4% of the airline’s total earnings. The carrier’s hybrid model—dedicated freighters plus passenger‑belly...
RyderVentures Bets on ‘Physical AI’ to Break Warehouse Automation’s Biggest Barriers
RyderVentures is championing "physical AI," a blend of artificial‑intelligence models with warehouse hardware that lets equipment perform multiple tasks instead of a single, fixed function. The approach tackles the biggest hurdle to warehouse automation—high upfront capital outlays and the risk...
Hawaii’s Surf Air Mobility Order 25 BETA Technologies ALIA eCTOL Aircraft
Surf Air Mobility has placed a firm order for 25 all‑electric ALIA CTOL aircraft from BETA Technologies, with an option for up to 75 more. The partnership will integrate BETA’s electric planes and charging infrastructure into Surf Air’s regional platform,...
Rail Industry Solutions Start with Smarter Parts Inventory Planning
Strategic parts inventory planning is emerging as a core rail industry solution, shifting operators from reactive, emergency‑driven procurement to data‑driven, predictive stocking. By leveraging service histories and usage metrics, railroads can forecast component failures and position the right parts before...
Flying JSX? Here’s How to Earn United MileagePlus Miles or Club JSX Rewards on Your Flight
JSX, a boutique carrier blending private‑charter comfort with commercial service, lets passengers earn either United MileagePlus miles or its own Club JSX rewards. When a JSX ticket is booked through United, miles are awarded as a fare‑based multiplier that varies by...
The Loadstar Explainers: CBP Refund Process; USTR Section 301 Investigation; Jones Act Waiver Plan
The U.S. Customs and Border Protection is near‑completion of CAPE, a new module within the ACE platform that will let importers electronically claim refunds on duties imposed under IEEPA. The USTR has launched a Section 301 investigation into alleged overcapacity in...
Clean, Fast and 1000 Miles to a Tank – so Why Is Diesel a Dirty Word?
Diesel engines have evolved from noisy, inefficient relics into high‑torque, ultra‑efficient powertrains that can exceed 100 mpg on long hauls. Modern diesels meet the same real‑world emissions standards as petrol and hybrid vehicles, yet they still deliver superior range and lower...
Spain’s Key Rail Tunnel to France to Close for up to Seven Weeks
Spain’s Rubi Tunnel near Barcelona will be shut from March 14 for up to seven weeks while ADIF carries out reinforcement and stabilisation work. The closure reduces the Perthus corridor to a maximum of two outbound and two return freight...
N-Sea’s Hybrid, Biofuel-Ready Vessel Starts Sea Trials
Hybrid survey and ROV support vessel Geo Master has entered sea trials, marking the next step toward commercial deployment. The vessel, built by Neptune Construction in the Netherlands, is bio‑fuel ready and will operate under a long‑term charter with Mainport...
More Civil Works Tendered for Spain’s Burgos - Vitoria High-Speed Line
Adif AV has issued a €357.6 million tender for civil works on the 22.7 km Piérnigas‑Pancorbo section of the Burgos‑Vitoria high‑speed line, including twelve viaducts with two long spans over the River Oroncillo. This fourth contract follows earlier phases that together total...
Dragon No Longer in the Cab: Senator Cotton and Rep. Stefanik Quietly Move to Eject China From American Trucking
Rep. Elise Stefanik introduced the Trucking Security and CCP Disclosure Act of 2026, mandating that every carrier in the Department of Defense freight chain certify it has no ownership or control ties to Chinese military‑linked entities. The bill creates a...
Chancellor and Energy Secretary Meet with Fuel Bosses in No11 as Government Order Crackdown on Pump Prices
UK Chancellor Rachel Reeves and Energy Secretary Ed Miliband will meet petrol retailers and energy suppliers at Downing Street to demand fair pump prices. Reeves has instructed the Competition and Markets Authority to act against any excessive profit‑making on fuel...
Living the Unseen War: Egyptians Feel Ripple Effects of Iran Conflict
Egypt raised domestic fuel prices by 14‑17% after the Strait of Hormuz closure, prompting immediate transport fare hikes and higher food costs for ordinary Egyptians. The surge in energy prices has accelerated inflation, with staple items like bread and tomatoes...
New Research Maps Where Trains and Buses Are Built Across the US
The American Public Transportation Association released new research mapping the U.S. bus and rail manufacturing supply chain. Federal transit funding directs roughly 77% of its dollars to private‑sector manufacturers, supporting more than 3,000 suppliers in over 1,700 communities across all...
Main Works Start on £100M Shipley TrainCare Centre for Transpennine Route Upgrade
Construction has begun on a £100 million TrainCare Centre in Shipley, designed to house Northern’s electric fleet for the Airedale and Wharfedale lines during the Transpennine Route Upgrade. The brownfield site will serve as a temporary hub while access to the...