“FTA looks forward to working with these communities to advance transit projects that will provide new transit options,” FTA Acting Administrator Veronica Vanterpool said March 11.

USDOT: $3B to Support 9 Rail Transit Construction Projects

The U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) on March 11 recommended that nine large rail transit-related projects in five states receive approximately $3 billion in federal support for construction as part of President Biden’s Fiscal Year (FY) 2025 Budget Request to Congress.

Rendering of the Story Road Station and the pedestrian overcrossing, Courtesy of Santa Clara VTA.

MCM-RailWorks Lands Santa Clara VTA Light Rail Extension Contract

The Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) Board of Directors has approved an approximately $437 million contract to the MCM-RailWorks joint venture to construct the 2.4-mile Eastridge to BART (San Francisco Bay Area Rapid Transit District) Regional Connector Project.

New York MTA officials were joined by “Equity in Infrastructure Project” (EIP) founders Phillip A. Washington and John D. Porcari, and Chicago Transit Authority President Dorval R. Carter, Jr., who also serves as EIP Chair, to sign the EIP pledge on March 7. (New York MTA Photograph).

Transit Briefs: NYMTA, SacRT, Metrolink, WMATA, NJT, Houston Metro

New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) signs the “Equity in Infrastructure Project” Pledge. Also, Sacramento Regional Transit District (SacRT) is developing mobility hubs at three light rail stations; Southern California’s Metrolink extends its fare-free pilot program for students; Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) marks improvements in ridership, customer satisfaction, public safety and fare collection while reducing expenses; New Jersey Transit (NJT) expands its partnership with Comcast Business; and Houston Metro (Metropolitan Transit Authority of Harris County, Tex.) selects Copperleaf to help improve asset management.

CTA has launched its latest Innovation Studio program seeking proposals from the private sector to address business challenges through new technology. (CTA Photograph)

Transit Briefs: CTA, NYMTA, TTC, WMATA

Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) seeks innovators to test new technologies that improve rail safety, asset management and real-time information. Also, New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) boosts subway security; Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) releases a Request for Proposals (RFP) for the Bloor-Yonge Capacity Improvements project; and Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) and Hitachi Rail are offering a “sneak peek” of the new 8000 series rapid transit cars.

TriMet photo

Transit Briefs: Amtrak, TriMet, Metrolinx

Amtrak increases Northeast Regional service. Also, TriMet celebrates the opening of the Gateway North MAX station; and Metrolinx cancels a deal with Vandyk Properties for a new station and transit-oriented community.

MDOT MTA and Purple Line Transit Partners are facing further delays and seeking approval for a new opening date: winter 2027. (Photograph Courtesy of Holly Arnold, via Twitter, July 14, 2023)

Maryland Again Delays Purple Line Opening

The Maryland Department of Transportation Maryland Transit Administration (MDOT MTA) and Purple Line Transit Partners (PLTP) are seeking approval to push the long-delayed Purple Line’s launch date from spring 2027 to winter 2027. The organizations on

From Left to Right: Michael Delfin, Chief Commercial Officer, A. Stucki Co.; Andrea Meyerowitz, Vice President, National Advisory Practice, HNTB; and Sy Stevens, Vice President of Marketing and Digitalization for the Americas, WAGO.

People News: A. Stucki Co., HNTB, WAGO

A. Stucki Co. names Michael Delfin as Chief Commercial Officer. Also, Andrea Meyerowitz joins HNTB’s national Advisory practice; and WAGO appoints Sy Stevens as the new Vice President of Marketing and Digitalization for the Americas.

(Amtrak Photograph)

APTA to Congress: Support THUD Appropriations Act

House and Senate Appropriations Committee leaders on March 3 released the final, bipartisan THUD Appropriations Act (Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2024) (H.R. 4366, Division F) as

The Metropolitan Council has approved a labor agreement with the ATU Local 1005, which represents more than 2,000 train and bus operators, technicians, public facility workers, cleaners, and transit information representatives, among other positions at Metro Transit.

Transit Briefs: Minn. Met Council, DART

Minnesota’s Metropolitan Council approves a labor agreement that boosts wages for Metro Transit workers. Also, Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) advances the Silver Line Regional Rail project, allowing the return of freight rail service to Plano and Richardson, Tex.

Now On Line: Railway Age’s March 2024 Digital Edition

The March 2024 issue of Railway Age is available digitally, showcasing our Short Line and Regional Railroads of the Year as well as deep dives into next-gen motive power.

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