Dallas Area Rapid Transit and other public transit agencies have aggressively expanded cleaning and safety protocols in response to the coronavirus. The American Public Transportation Association is seeking federal relief funding to cover mounting losses in revenue and an estimated $2 billion in upgraded cleaning costs. – DART
APTA leader says public transit agencies need immediate help
WASHINGTON– The public transportation industry is urging Congress to immediately provide $16 billion in direct emergency funding to public transit agencies to offset costs and revenue losses caused by the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Public transit agencies are being massively impacted, and immediate measures need to be taken to ensure these agencies can continue to provide essential services to their communities now and in the future,” said Paul P. Skoutelas, American Public Transportation Association President and CEO in a statement. “It cannot be overstated – without these funds, the overwhelming majority of public transit agencies will be required to either drastically curtail services or suspend services altogether. The time to act is now.”
APTA is asking for legislation to fund essential public transportation services across the country, including providing paratransit services for individuals with disabilities; public transportation for health care workers, law enforcement, first responders and other safety personnel; and Medicaid recipients who receive medical transportation for kidney dialysis, cancer treatments, and other critical care.
The industry has experienced dramatic reductions in ridership due to the workplace restrictions, with an estimated $14 billion in losses expected in both fare and sales tax revenue, according to APTA. In addition, $2 billion is needed to cover upgraded cleaning.
Current Issue: May/June2026
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O Triad
The O-scale Reader & Caney Creek, the Virginian Railway and the Cheapskate & Ohio are distinctly different. Well-known among Southwest O-scalers, the protolance 2-rail Virginian is spectacularly scenicked and spans over 1,200 square feet. Same with the freelance Cheapskate & Ohio, still mostly under construction. It showcases fine-scale 2-rail modeling integrated with hi-rail AC toy trains. The around-the-walls Reader & Caney Creek is proof that 2-rail doesn’t require a ballroom. While they share a size more associated with nostalgia and collecting than fine-scale model railroading, the layouts embody a very individual spirit. And the goal isn't necessarily running trains.
Craftsman Courtyard
Laser-cut craftsman kit makers on the East Coast are working together to change the dynamic of a model railroad segment traditionally reserved for elite modelers because of its reputation for complex kits requiring extensive handwork. Through affordable, easy-to-assemble wood kits, the companies are attracting the experienced and beginners alike.
Mail on the Rails
For a century, “these couriers” included the railroads and what was known for most if its life as the Railway Mail Service. In 1950 more than 14,000 clerks toiled away sorting mail in Railway Post Offices on 3,000 moving trains.
Plus
The Northeast Outdoor Railway Festival is adding a new touch by creating a citywide large-scale experience in Palmer, MA; OminTRAX buys three Arkansas short lines to expand into a new growing market; a recent release of a Denver & Rio Grande Western caboose fills a niche with classic paint; InterMountain Railway's HO 5161 Trinity hoppers feature BNSF's Heritage roads; and an ex-Canadian National Railway F7A finds a home. And more!
