MASSACHUSETTS Bay Commuter Railroad (MBCR), which has operated Boston's commuter rail network since July 2003, is seeking an injunction to prevent Keolis Commuter Services from taking over in July, alleging numerous deficiencies during the 30-month procurement process which it claims violate state bidding laws.

THE United States Federal Transit Administration (FTA) has granted conceptual planning approval to the construction of a $US 1.34bn starter light rail line in the city of Durham, North Carolina.

THE Port Authority of New York and New Jersey (Path) has opened the first platform at the new World Trade Center (WTC) Path station, a major milestone in the development of the new $US 3.44bn WTC Transport Hub.

THE US Federal Transit Administration (FTA) has signed a $US 670m construction grant agreement with Los Angeles Metropolitan Transportation Authority (LACMTA) to fund the city's Downtown Regional Connector light rail line, which is due to open in 2020.

CANADIAN National (CN) announced on February 19 that it will increase investment $C 2.1bn ($US 1.89bn) in 2014 with the aim of improving safety, efficiency and service on its 32,240km network in Canada and the United States.

THE governor of Florida Mr Rick Scott announced on February 17 that the state government will provide up to $US 215m towards the construction of a new station at Orlando International Airport.

THE United States' Railway Supply Institute Committee on Tank Cars (RSICTC) has called on the US Department of Transportation (USDOT) to speed up the process to introduce new safety measures for tank wagons carrying crude oil and ethanol.

THE Greenbrier Companies, United States, says development is underway of a new-generation tank wagon as well as retrofit solutions for wagons already in service or under construction that will improve the safety of transporting hazardous materials including crude oil and ethanol by rail.

AMTRAK staged a ceremony at Philadelphia's 30th Street station on February 6 in the presence of US vice-president Mr Joe Biden and US transportation secretary Mr Anthony Foxx to mark the entry into service of the first of 70 locomotives being supplied by Siemens.

FLORIDA East Coast Railway (FEC) announced on January 30 that it will order 24 ES44C4 Evolution Series diesel locomotives from GE Transportation for use on freight services on its 565km main line between Miami and Jacksonville.