Rapid Transit

Caltrain representatives were joined by federal, state, regional and local officials and community members on Sept. 24 to celebrate the first public viewing of the Northern California transit agency’s Stadler-built KISS EMUs. (Photograph Courtesy of Caltrain)

Transit Briefs: BART, Caltrain, MBTA, NJ Transit, Valley Link, WMATA

The San Francisco Bay Area Rapid Transit District (BART) announces its inaugural short story contest finalists. Also, Caltrain celebrates the first public viewing of its Stadler US-built KISS EMUs (electric multiple unit); Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) is launching its commuter rail fare gate program; New Jersey Transit is advancing its New Brunswick Station improvement project; California’s Valley Link is seeking funding for design and construction of the proposed 42-mile, seven-station passenger rail project between the Dublin/Pleasanton BART station and the North Lathrop Altamont Corridor Express (ACE) station, which could be powered by hydrogen; and the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) is in the final stages of preparation for the Silver Line extension opening.

Amtrak says it aims to achieve zero GHG emissions by 2045.

Transit Briefs: Amtrak, SEPTA, TransLink, MDOT

Amtrak aims to achieve net zero greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 2045. Also, the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) advances two major initiatives; TransLink opens Customer Service Center at Waterfront Station; and the Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT) recruits colleges, trade schools to help Marylanders seize career opportunities.

Commentary
  • News

TTC’s Second Half-Century: An Expanded Role

A short drive east of Pueblo, Colo., north of the Arkansas River, flanked by the Sangre de Christo Mountains, and surrounded by shortgrass prairie, lies the Transportation Technology Center, the Federal Railroad

Map of the proposed Twin Cities-Milwaukee-Chicago intercity passenger rail service. This project would add an additional daily round-trip passenger train to the existing Amtrak Empire Builder corridor between the Twin Cities and Chicago. (Caption and Map Courtesy of MnDOT)

Transit Briefs: Amtrak, CATS, GCRTA, NYMTA, SEPTA, STM

The Twin Cities-Milwaukee-Chicago Intercity Passenger Rail Project (TCMC) is now in the final design phase. Also, the Charlotte Area Transit System (CATS) in North Carolina introduces fare capping; Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority (GCRTA) in Ohio is launching a pilot project to address “last-mile” gaps; a $57.9 million design and engineering base contract has been approved for the New York Penn Station project; Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) has released design concepts for new trolley stations; and starting next month, Société de transport de Montréal (STM) métro riders can bring their pet dogs on board.

Gov. Hochul, MTA Chief Executive Officer Janno Lieber, and Demetrius Crichlow, Senior Vice President of NYCT Subways tour a 7 train with newly installed high- resolution security cameras at the Corona Maintenance Facility in Queens, Tuesday Sept. 20, 2022. Eventually, all 6,500-plus subway cars in the NYCT system will be outfitted with two high resolution video cameras to ensure safety for straphangers. (Kevin P. Coughlin / Office of Governor Kathy Hochul)

Transit Briefs: NYMTA, LA Metro, OKC Streetcar, RTD, Boston’s South Station, Metro-North, LIRR

Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) to install security cameras in every subway car. Also, LA Metro releases new photos of the K Line’s Hyde Park Station artwork; the OKC Streetcar reaches one million rider milestone; the Regional Transportation District (RTD) closes financial transaction reducing its annual debt service by more than $144 million over 200 years; officials celebrate the next chapter in the redevelopment of Boston’s South Station; and Metro-North Railroad and Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) will get their own police detail.

  • News

Rail Safety Week Initiatives Accelerate (UPDATED)

As Rail Safety Week (RSW) (Sept. 19-25), a collaborative effort among Operation Lifesaver, Inc. (OLI), state OLI programs and rail safety partners across the U.S., Canada and Mexico, continues to be observed, North American carriers and organizations are mobilizing to raise awareness about rail safety and to help stop track tragedies during this annual week-long event. Here is a roundup of the week’s initiatives.

Brightline on Sept. 17 posted on Twitter: “See you next year, Orlando. Construction is 83% complete & our Orlando Station is taking shape!” The station is located in Orlando International Airport’s new Terminal C, which opened to the public on Sept. 20. (Photograph Courtesy of Brightline, via Twitter)

Transit Briefs: Brightline, MBTA, WMATA, LACMTA, Metro Transit

Brightline’s 170-mile passenger rail extension to Orlando, Fla., is nearing completion. Also, Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) and Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) are addressing budget shortfalls; Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority’s (LACMTA) GoPass Program will be extended for all 21 community colleges in LA County; and Metro Transit in Minneapolis/St. Paul, Minn., has signed a new advertising contract.

  • News

USDOT Seeks SDB/DBE, Infrastructure Connectivity

The U.S. Department of Transportation Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization (OSDBU), the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) and the U.S. Department of Commerce Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA) have announced a partnership program “to help small and disadvantaged businesses improve their access to capital, resources and relationships … to ensure that everyone can benefit from President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.”

SkyTrain in front of the King George Hub. (TransLink)

Transit Briefs: TransLink, CTA, MBTA, NJ Transit, City of Lexington

TransLink announces partnership with PCI Developments to study the benefits of providing subsidized transit at new King George Hub development. Also, the Chicago Transit Authority’s (CTA) Bryn Mawr Red Line Station wins People’s Choice Award from the American Institute of Architects (AIA) Chicago; the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) announces that closure of the Green Line D Branch will begin Sept. 24 for infrastructure upgrades; NJ Transit unveils art project at New Brunswick Station; and the City of Lexington in North Carolina prepares to kick off the construction phase of its passenger service project.

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