The American Public Transportation Association (APTA) recognizes Southern California Regional Rail Authority (Metrolink) for its commitment to sustainability. Also, Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation (HART) issues a notice to proceed for utility relocation work along Dillingham Boulevard; and Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) seeks federal funding for San Antonio rail service.
The American Public Transportation Association (APTA) has released a new report on the “Transit Workforce Shortage: Root Causes, Potential Solutions, and the Road Ahead.” Also, Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (LACMTA) officially opened the K Line, formerly known as the Crenshaw/LAX Line, on Oct. 7; and New Jersey Transit will replace the windows in 429 multi-level commuter railcars.
The San Bernardino County Transportation Authority (SBCTA) approves sale of Cucamonga Station property to Brightline West. Also, SBCTA and Metrolink announce ribbon cutting ceremony of Redlands Passenger Rail Project; Metrolink receives first American Public Transportation Association (APTA) certification for sustainability program; the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) expands institutional pass program; NJ Transit wins International Data Corporation (IDC) Best in Future of Digital Innovation Award; and NJ Transit breaks ground on Hoboken Connect project.
C-TRAN COO Inessa M. Vitko returns to TriMet as Executive Director of Transportation Operations. Also, Edwin Bohr Electronics (EBE) names Dan Marks CEO; and Norfolk Southern (NS) Executive Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer Ed Elkins has been appointed to the National Association of Manufacturers’ (NAM) Board of Directors.
The American Short Line and Regional Railroad Association (ASLRRA) recognizes safety winners at its Eastern and Southern Region Meeting. Also, the American Public Transportation Association (APTA) announces that public transportation ridership has risen to more than 70% of pre-pandemic levels.
The Women’s Transportation Seminar (WTS) International and the Eno Center for Transportation (Eno) sign memorandum of understanding (MOU). Also, from the American Short Line and Regional Railroad Association’s weekly Views & News: A Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) report discusses results of Onboard Broken Rail Detection (OBRD) system research; ASLRRA congratulates industry colleagues on their retirements; and registration opens for first ASLRRA training seminar in 2023.
GATX’s Trifleet Leasing Holding B.V. appoints Erik Henstra as Managing Director. Also, Bentley Systems names Michael Campbell Chief Product Officer and expands the responsibilities of four executives; and the American Public Transportation Association (APTA) selects new Vice Chair and announces Executive Committee and Board of Directors nominees.
Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority (GCRTA) has joined the American Public Transportation Association’s (APTA) Racial Equity Commitment Pilot Program. Also, Chicago Transit Authority (CTA), Metra and Pace Suburban Bus have approved a new Regional Connect Pass for area riders; Réseau express métropolitain (REM) has revised its network commissioning schedule due to continued challenges with work on the century-old Mount Royal Tunnel in Montreal; and STM’s (Société de transport de Montréal) C$492.3 million Côte-Vertu underground train storage facility has officially opened.
Amtrak’s accessibility-improvement project at Ashland (Va.) Station is complete. Also, four transit agencies have earned 2022 rail safety and security awards from the American Public Transportation Association (APTA); Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation (HART) on June 3 submitted its 2022 Recovery Plan to the Federal Transit Administration (FTA); and TransLink’s Brentwood Town Center Station upgrade in metro Vancouver will start later this month.
President Joe Biden on March 28 submitted to Congress a $5.79 trillion budget plan for fiscal year 2023 that calls for $105 billion to be distributed to the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT). With an additional $37 billion in guaranteed advance appropriations provided under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL; also known as the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act or IIJA), the USDOT’s total budget would be $142 billion. Included in the budget for USDOT’s Federal Transit Administration (FTA) is funding for four new rail-related projects; the Gateway Program’s Hudson Tunnel project in New York and New Jersey, and the Bay Area Rapid Transit District (BART) Silicon Valley Phase II rail project in California are among them.