NationMaster - Encyclopedia: Commuter railroads

Commuter rail services in the United States and Canada provide common carrier passenger transportation along railway tracks, with scheduled service on fixed routes on a non-reservation basis primarily for short distance (local) travel between a central business district and adjacent suburbs and regional travel between cities of a conurbation. It does not include urban heavy rail or light rail service. Categories: Rail stubs | Railway companies of the United States | Regional rail systems | Transportation in Virginia ... Great Western Railway No. ... Go Train This image has been released into the public domain by the copyright holder, its copyright has expired, or it is ineligible for copyright. ... Go Train This image has been released into the public domain by the copyright holder, its copyright has expired, or it is ineligible for copyright. ... GO Transit, officially known as the Greater Toronto Transit Authority (GTTA), is Canadas first, and Ontarios only, interregional public transit system, established to link Toronto with the surrounding regions of the Greater Toronto Area (GTA). ... A Connex commuter train stands by the platform in Melbourne, Australia Regional rail systems, or commuter rail systems, usually provide a rail service through a central business district area into suburbs or other locations that draw large numbers of people on a daily basis. ... A common carrier is an organization that transports a product or service using its facilities, or those of other carriers. ... Reservation is something reserved. ... Downtown Honolulu in Hawaii, United States, an example of an urban downtown district Central business district (CBD) and downtown are terms referring to the commercial heart of a city. ... A conurbation is an urban area comprising a number of cities or towns which, through population growth and expansion, have physically merged to form one continuous built up area. ... Subway redirects here; for the restaurant named Subway, see Subway (restaurant). ... This article is about light rail systems in general. ...

Commuter rail operators often sell reduced fare multiple-trip tickets (such as a monthly or weekly pass), charge specific station-to-station fares, and have one or two stations in the central business district.

Many commuter railways offer service only during peak times, and on a round-trip basis. For example, West Coast Express only runs trains into Vancouver during the morning rush hour and out to the suburbs in the evening. This mode of operation is in many cases simplified by ending the train with a special passenger carriage (sometimes referred to as a 'cab coach'), which has an operating cab attached to the end and can remotely control the locomotive so as to avoid having to turn the train around at each end of its route. Other systems avoid the issue entirely by using bi-directional multiple units. West Coast Express is British Columbias only interregional commuter rail service, linking Mission, Maple Ridge, Pitt Meadows, Port Coquitlam, Coquitlam, and Port Moody with Waterfront Station in downtown Vancouver. ... {{Canadian City/Disable Field={{{Disable Motto Link}}}}} Motto: By sea, land and air we prosper City of Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada Location. ... Other meanings: Movie starring Jackie Chan and Chris Tucker, expansion pack to SimCity 4, shuffling puzzle by ThinkFun, album. ... Illustration of the backyards of a surburban neighbourhood Suburbs are inhabited districts located either on the outer rim of a city or outside the official limits of a city (the term varies from country to country), or the outer elements of a conurbation. ... A multiple unit is a passenger train whose carriages have their own motors, either diesel (DMUs) or electric (EMUs), and do not need to be hauled by a locomotive. ...

Commuter trains are typically connected to metro or bus services both at their destination and along their route to extend the range of accessibility. Some, such as GO Transit in the Greater Toronto Area, run bus services in tandem with their passenger trains. This page refers to urban rail mass transit systems. ... The Bus, established by Mayor Frank Fasi, is Honolulus only public transit system. ... GO Transit, officially known as the Greater Toronto Transit Authority (GTTA), is Canadas first, and Ontarios only, interregional public transit system, established to link Toronto with the surrounding regions of the Greater Toronto Area (GTA). ... The Greater Toronto Area (called the GTA by local residents) is the largest metropolitan area in Canada and fifth largest in North America, after Mexico City, New York City, Los Angeles, Chicago. ...

Commuter trains are usually powered by diesel-electric or electric locomotives, or in some cases use self-contained multiple units. Electric power in some instances is transmitted via third rail or overhead wire and catenary. Electric power is often favoured where it is available due to quicker acceleration, lower noise, and less air-quality issues. Electric power and even more so multiple-unit trains are, however, much less common than on European railways. Great Western Railway No. ... A multiple unit is a passenger train whose carriages have their own motors, either diesel (DMUs) or electric (EMUs), and do not need to be hauled by a locomotive. ... Third rail at Bostons South Station A third rail is a method of providing electricity to power a railroad, typically a mass transit system. ... An electric multiple unit pulling into Tile Hill station; Coventry, England. ... Catenary is a system of overhead wires used to supply electrical power to a locomotive, streetcar, or light rail vehicle. ...

Diesel-electric locomotives based on the EMD F40PH design as well as the F59PHI are popular commuter motive power. Gallery cars made by Nippon Sharyo, Budd, or Kawasaki are common rolling stock, as are Bombardier's BiLevel coaches. The General Motors model F40PH is a 3000 horsepower B-B diesel-electric locomotive intended for service on Amtraks intercity lines, built in 1976. ... Nippon Sharyo (日本車両), formed in 1896, in one of the major rolling stock manufacturers in Japan. ... The Budd Company (now ThyssenKrupp Budd) is a metal fabricator and major supplier of body components to the automobile industry. ... Kawasaki Heavy Industries, Ltd. ... This article is about the manufacturing company; for information on the military rank Bombardier, see Bombardier (rank). ... A GO Tranist train on the Richmond Hill line. ...

Most commuter rail services in North America are operated by agencies of government entities or quasi-governmental organisations. Some share the tracks or rights-of-way used by Amtrak, VIA Rail, freight trains, or other commuter services. The 600 mile-long electrified Northeast Corridor in the United States is shared by commuter trains and Amtrak's Acela Express, Regional, and intercity trains. Amtrak is the trademark name of an intercity passenger train system created on May 1, 1971 in the United States. ... VIA Rail Canada (also referred to as VIA Rail and VIA; pronounced vee-ah) is an independent Crown corporation offering intercity passenger rail services in Canada. ... A mile is any of several units of distance, or, in physics terminology, of length. ... A railway electrification system is a way of supplying electric power to electric locomotives or multiple units. ... For the agglomeration of metropolitan areas, see article on BosWash megalopolis The Northeast Corridor (NEC) is an electrified railway line with overhead wires running from Washington, DC to Boston, Massachusetts, passing through Baltimore, Maryland, Wilmington, Delaware, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, New York, New York, New Haven, Connecticut and Providence, Rhode Island. ... Amtrak is the trademark name of an intercity passenger train system created on May 1, 1971 in the United States. ... Acela in West Windsor, NJ Acela, more properly Acela Express, is the name used by Amtrak for the high speed trains which run between Washington and Boston via New York and Philadelphia along the Northeast Corridor of the United States. ...

List of U.S. and Canadian commuter rail operators

id="External_link"> Boston is the capital of and the largest city in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in the United States. ... State nickname: Bay State Other U.S. States Capital Boston Largest city Boston Governor Mitt Romney Official languages English Area 27,360 km² (44th) - Land 20,317 km² - Water 7,043 km² (25. ... The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) is a quasi-governmental organization formed in 1964 that controls the subway, bus, commuter rail, and ferry systems in the Boston, Massachusetts area. ... MBTA Commuter Rail Lines The MBTA Commuter Rail is the regional rail arm of the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority. ... Chicago (officially named the City of Chicago) is the third largest city in the United States (after New York City and Los Angeles), with an official population of 2,896,016, as of the 2000 census. ... State nickname: Land of Lincoln, The Prairie State Other U.S. States Capital Springfield Largest city Chicago Governor Rod Blagojevich Official languages English Area 149,998 km² (25th) - Land 143,968 km² - Water 6,030 km² (4. ... One of the periods of glaciation was also termed the Wisconsin glaciation. ... Metra is Chicagolands commuter rail system, serving over 200 stations on eleven lines across the Regional Transportation Authoritys (RTAs) six-county service area. ... Chicago (officially named the City of Chicago) is the third largest city in the United States (after New York City and Los Angeles), with an official population of 2,896,016, as of the 2000 census. ... State nickname: Land of Lincoln, The Prairie State Other U.S. States Capital Springfield Largest city Chicago Governor Rod Blagojevich Official languages English Area 149,998 km² (25th) - Land 143,968 km² - Water 6,030 km² (4. ... State nickname: The Hoosier State Other U.S. States Capital Indianapolis Largest city Indianapolis Governor Mitch Daniels Official languages English Area 94,321 km² (38th) - Land 92,897 km² - Water 1,424 km² (1. ... Dallas is one of the ten largest cities in the United States and the heart of the largest metropolitan area in Texas. ... Fort Worth is the sixth-largest city in the state of Texas, located about 30 miles west of Dallas on the West Fork Trinity River and forming part of the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex. ... State nickname: Lone Star State Other U.S. States Capital Austin Largest city Houston Governor Rick Perry Official languages None. ... The Trinity Railway Express (or TRE) is a commuter rail line in the system of mass transit in Dallas and Fort Worth operated by an interlocal agreement between the Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) system and The T in Fort Worth. ... Griffith Observatory and the Downtown Los Angeles skyline. ... State nickname: The Golden State Other U.S. States Capital Sacramento Largest city Los Angeles Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger Official languages English Area 410,000 km² (3rd) - Land 404,298 km² - Water 20,047 km² (4. ... A picture taken inside a Metrolink train car heading towards Orange County, California Metrolink is a commuter rail system that serves a great deal of the Southern California region. ... The Miami skyline, as it is seen from the northeast. ... Fort Lauderdale, known as the Venice of America, is a city located in Broward County, Florida. ... West Palm Beach is a city located in Palm Beach County, Florida. ... State nickname: Everglade State, Sunshine State Other U.S. States Capital Tallahassee Largest city Jacksonville Governor Jeb Bush Official languages English Area 170,451 km² (22nd) - Land 137,374 km² - Water 30,486 km² (17. ... Tri-Rail is a commuter rail line linking Miami, Fort Lauderdale, and West Palm Beach, Florida. ... This article needs cleanup. ... This article describes the Canadian province. ... The Agence métropolitaine de transport or AMT (in English, the Metropolitan transportation agency) is the umbrella organization that plans, integrates, and coordinates public transportation services across Canadas Greater Montreal Region, including the Island of Montreal, Laval, the North Shore, and the South Shore. ... This article is about the city in Connecticut. ... State nickname: The Constitution State Other U.S. States Capital Hartford Largest city Bridgeport Governor M. Jodi Rell Official languages English Area 14,371 km² (48th) - Land 12,559 km² - Water 1,809 km² (12. ... Shore Line East (SLE) is a commuter railroad operating in southern Connecticut. ... State nickname: The Garden State Other U.S. States Capital Trenton Largest city Newark Governor Richard Codey (acting) Official languages None defined Area 22,608 km² (47th) - Land 19,231 km² - Water 3,378 km² (14. ... Midtown Manhattan, looking north from the Empire State Building, 2005 New York City (officially named the City of New York) is the most populous city in the state of New York and the entire United States. ... This article refers to the largest city of Pennsylvania. ... State nickname: The Garden State Other U.S. States Capital Trenton Largest city Newark Governor Richard Codey (acting) Official languages None defined Area 22,608 km² (47th) - Land 19,231 km² - Water 3,378 km² (14. ... State nickname: Empire State Other U.S. States Capital Albany Largest city New York Governor George Pataki Official languages None Area 141,205 km² (27th) - Land 122,409 km² - Water 18,795 km² (13. ... New Jersey Transit Arrow III at West Windsor, NJ Hudson-Bergen Light Rail vehicle at 2nd Street station New Jersey Transit (NJ Transit) is a statewide public transportation system serving the U.S. state of New Jersey. ... Midtown Manhattan, looking north from the Empire State Building, 2005 New York City (officially named the City of New York) is the most populous city in the state of New York and the entire United States. ... This article is about Long Island in New York State. ... State nickname: Empire State Other U.S. States Capital Albany Largest city New York Governor George Pataki Official languages None Area 141,205 km² (27th) - Land 122,409 km² - Water 18,795 km² (13. ... The Long Island Rail Road or LIRR is a railroad that serves the length of Long Island, New York. ... Midtown Manhattan, looking north from the Empire State Building, 2005 New York City (officially named the City of New York) is the most populous city in the state of New York and the entire United States. ... The Hudson Valley refers to the canyon of the Hudson River and its adjacent communities in New York State, generally from northern Westchester County northward to the city of Albany. ... State nickname: The Constitution State Other U.S. States Capital Hartford Largest city Bridgeport Governor M. Jodi Rell Official languages English Area 14,371 km² (48th) - Land 12,559 km² - Water 1,809 km² (12. ... State nickname: Empire State Other U.S. States Capital Albany Largest city New York Governor George Pataki Official languages None Area 141,205 km² (27th) - Land 122,409 km² - Water 18,795 km² (13. ... State nickname: The Constitution State Other U.S. States Capital Hartford Largest city Bridgeport Governor M. Jodi Rell Official languages English Area 14,371 km² (48th) - Land 12,559 km² - Water 1,809 km² (12. ... Metro-North (officially MTA Metro-North Railroad) is a suburban commuter railroad running service from New York City to the northern suburbs in New York State and Connecticut. ... Independence Hall Philadelphia (sometimes referred to as Philly or the City of Brotherly Love) is the sixth-most-populous city in the United States and the most populous city in the state of Pennsylvania, occupying all of Philadelphia County. ... State nickname: The Keystone State Other U.S. States Capital Harrisburg Largest city Philadelphia Governor Ed Rendell Official languages None Area 119,283 km² (33rd) - Land 116,074 km² - Water 3,208 km² (2. ... State nickname: The Garden State Other U.S. States Capital Trenton Largest city Newark Governor Richard Codey (acting) Official languages None defined Area 22,608 km² (47th) - Land 19,231 km² - Water 3,378 km² (14. ... State nickname: The First State Other U.S. States Capital Dover Largest city Wilmington Governor Ruth Ann Minner Official languages None Area 6,452 km² (49th) - Land 5,068 km² - Water 1,387 km² (21. ... The SEPTA rail system The Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) is a regional quasi-public state agency that operates bus, subway and elevated rail, commuter rail, trolley (streetcar), and until recently trackless trolley service in the Philadelphia, Pennsylvania area. ... City nickname Americas Finest City City flower Bird of Paradise City urban tree Jacaranda City native tree Torrey Pine Mayor Dick Murphy* City Attorney Michael Aguirre City Council District One District Two District Three District Four District Five District Six District Seven District Eight Scott Peters Michael Zucchet Toni... State nickname: The Golden State Other U.S. States Capital Sacramento Largest city Los Angeles Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger Official languages English Area 410,000 km² (3rd) - Land 404,298 km² - Water 20,047 km² (4. ... Categories: Rail stubs | Mass transit in California | Regional rail systems | San Diego ... San Francisco skyline. ... City nickname: Capital of Silicon Valley Location within Santa Clara County, California Country State County United States California Santa Clara Mayor Ron Gonzales Area - Land - Water 178. ... State nickname: The Golden State Other U.S. States Capital Sacramento Largest city Los Angeles Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger Official languages English Area 410,000 km² (3rd) - Land 404,298 km² - Water 20,047 km² (4. ... Caltrain is a public supported commuter rail line on the San Francisco Peninsula and the Santa Clara Valley in the United States. ... City nickname: Capital of Silicon Valley Location within Santa Clara County, California Country State County United States California Santa Clara Mayor Ron Gonzales Area - Land - Water 178. ... San Joaquin County is a county located in the United States of America in Californias Central Valley, just east of the San Francisco Bay Area. ... Alameda County is a suburban county in Californias San Francisco Bay Area. ... State nickname: The Golden State Other U.S. States Capital Sacramento Largest city Los Angeles Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger Official languages English Area 410,000 km² (3rd) - Land 404,298 km² - Water 20,047 km² (4. ... The Altamont Commuter Express (also known as ACE) is a commuter train service in California connecting Stockton with San Jose. ... City nickname Emerald City City bird Great Blue Heron City flower Dahlia City mottos The City of Flowers The City of Goodwill City song Seattle, the Peerless City Mayor Greg Nickels County King County Area - Total - Land - Water - % water 369. ... State nickname: The Evergreen State Other U.S. States Capital Olympia Largest city Seattle Governor Christine Gregoire Official languages None Area 184,824 km² (18th) - Land 172,587 km² - Water 12,237 km² (6. ... Sound Transit has been the popular name of Washington states Central Puget Sound Regional Transit Authority since 1997. ... Clinton Square in Downtown Syracuse Syracuse is a city located in Onondaga County, New York, USA. As of the 2000 U.S. Census, the city had a total population of 147,306, and its metropolitan area had a population of 732,117. ... State nickname: Empire State Other U.S. States Capital Albany Largest city New York Governor George Pataki Official languages None Area 141,205 km² (27th) - Land 122,409 km² - Water 18,795 km² (13. ... OnTrack is a Syracuse, New York commuter train line. ... }|135px|City of Toronto, Ontario Official Flag]]|Coat Image=[[Image:{{{Coat Image}}}|135px|City of Toronto, Ontario Coat of Arms]]}} {{Canadian City/Disable Field={{{Disable Motto Link}}}}} Motto: Diversity Our Strength {{Canadian City/Location Image is:{{{Location Image Type}}}|[[Image:{{{Location Image}}}|thumbnail|250px|City of Toronto, Ontario, Canada Location. ... Motto: Ut Incepit Fidelis Sic Permanet (Loyal she began, loyal she remains) Other Canadian provinces and territories Capital Toronto Largest city Toronto Lieutenant Governor James K. Bartleman Premier Dalton McGuinty (Liberal) Area 1,076,395 km² (4th) - Land 917,741 km² - Water 158,654 km² (14. ... GO Transit, officially known as the Greater Toronto Transit Authority (GTTA), is Canadas first, and Ontarios only, interregional public transit system, established to link Toronto with the surrounding regions of the Greater Toronto Area (GTA). ... This article refers to the city in British Columbia, Canada. ... Motto: Splendor Sine Occasu (Splendour without diminishment) Other Canadian provinces and territories Capital Victoria Largest city Vancouver Lieutenant Governor Iona Campagnolo Premier Gordon Campbell (BC Liberal) Area 944,735 km² (5th) - Land 925,186 km² - Water 19,549 km² (2. ... West Coast Express is British Columbias only interregional commuter rail service, linking Mission, Maple Ridge, Pitt Meadows, Port Coquitlam, Coquitlam, and Port Moody with Waterfront Station in downtown Vancouver. ... TransLink, officially known as the Greater Vancouver Transportation Authority, is a transportation organization which services transportation needs of the Greater Vancouver Regional District (GVRD). ... Aerial photo (looking NW) of the Washington Monument and the White House in Washington, DC. Washington, D.C., officially the District of Columbia (also known as D.C.; Washington; the Nations Capital; the District; and, historically, the Federal City) is the capital city and administrative district of the United... City nickname: Charm City Location in the state of Maryland Founded 30 July 1729 County Independent city Mayor Martin OMalley (Dem) Area - Total - Water 1,214. ... State nickname: Old Line State; Free State Other U.S. States Capital Annapolis Largest city Baltimore Governor Robert L. Ehrlich Official languages English Area 32,160 km² (42nd) - Land 25,338 km² - Water 6,968 km² (21%) Population (2000) - Population 5,296,486 (19th) - Density 165 /km² (5th) Admittance into... The Eastern Panhandle of West Virginia is a narrow stretch of territory in the northeast of the state, bordering Maryland and Virginia. ... State nickname: Mountain State Other U.S. States Capital Charleston Largest city Charleston Governor Joe Manchin Official languages None Area 62,809 km² (41st) - Land 62,436 km² - Water 376 km² (0. ... ... State nickname: Old Line State; Free State Other U.S. States Capital Annapolis Largest city Baltimore Governor Robert L. Ehrlich Official languages English Area 32,160 km² (42nd) - Land 25,338 km² - Water 6,968 km² (21%) Population (2000) - Population 5,296,486 (19th) - Density 165 /km² (5th) Admittance into... MARC commuter train conductor catching up with local news on a foggy morning at Point of Rocks. ... Aerial photo (looking NW) of the Washington Monument and the White House in Washington, DC. Washington, D.C., officially the District of Columbia (also known as D.C.; Washington; the Nations Capital; the District; and, historically, the Federal City) is the capital city and administrative district of the United... State nickname: Old Dominion Other U.S. States Capital Richmond Largest city Virginia Beach Governor Mark R. Warner Official languages English Area 110,862 km² (35th) - Land 102,642 km² - Water 8,220 km² (7. ... ... State nickname: Old Dominion Other U.S. States Capital Richmond Largest city Virginia Beach Governor Mark R. Warner Official languages English Area 110,862 km² (35th) - Land 102,642 km² - Water 8,220 km² (7. ... Categories: Rail stubs | Railway companies of the United States | Regional rail systems | Transportation in Virginia ...

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List of U.S. and Canadian commuter rail operators GA_googleFillSlot("encyclopedia_square");

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See also

List of U.S. and Canadian commuter rail operators