BART photo

Transit Briefs: BART, MARTA, Amtrak, VIA Rail, WMATA, OC Transpo

Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) announces new Safe & Clean plan. Also, Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority’s (MARTA) railcars head for Atlantic Ocean as part of Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Reef Project; Amtrak eyes restoring 63 more cars to active fleet; VIA Rail Canada Inc. (VIA Rail) increases service between Ottawa and London this fall; the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) adds more rail service; and OC Transpo faces a multimillion-dollar budget deficit.

The second phase of BART’s “Not One More Girl” safety initiative includes bystander intervention cards, like the “I Got You” card pictured above (front shown at left; back, right).

Transit Briefs: BART, NYMTA, WMATA

San Francisco Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) District launches phase two of the “Not One More Girl” safety initiative. Also, New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) advances subway accessibility projects; and Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) reopens four Green Line stations.

Rendering of new access from GO tunnel level to new stairs and elevator down to new concourse level. (Metrolinx image)

Transit Briefs: BART, VIA Rail, Metrolinx, Front Range Passenger Rail, LOSSAN Rail Corridor Agency

Transit oriented development (TOD) plans at Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) stations get state boost. Also, VIA Rail Canada (VIA Rail) continues to see sustained growth in travel demand in Q2 2023; Metrolinx awards a contract for the construction of the Bloor-TTC connection; Gov. Jared Polis pushes for Front Range Passenger Rail vote in 2024; and the Los Angeles-San Diego-San Luis (LOSSAN) Rail Corridor Agency unveils a new rail safety initiative.

Brightline has again delayed the start of its much-anticipated Miami-to-Orlando service. (Photograph by David C. Lester)

Transit Briefs: BART, Brightline, Caltrain, MBTA, OC Transpo, PRT

San Francisco Bay Area Rapid Transit District’s (BART) Police Department earns highest level of accreditation from expert law enforcement panel. Also, Brightline, Florida’s private-sector passenger railroad, again delays its Miami-to-Orlando line opening; Caltrain energizes its second traction power substation as part of the California commuter railroad’s Electrification Project; Massachusetts lawmakers seek year-round MBTA Commuter Rail service between Boston and Buzzards Bay; Ottawa’s OC Transpo will add more trains this fall to O-Train Line 1 if ridership increases; and Pittsburgh (Pa.) Regional Transit (PRT) is reversing its COVID-19 vaccine requirement for employees.

Transit Briefs: BART, TTC

Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) will launch a revised schedule, beginning Sept. 11. Also, the Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) welcomes subway 5G service and more stable 9-1-1 calling.

Receiving the Outstanding Public Transportation System award for 2023 truly validates NJ Transit’s remarkable turnaround since 2018,” New Jersey Transit President and CEO Kevin S. Corbett said in an Aug. 14 statement. “This honor from APTA and our peers is akin to winning the Super Bowl for a transit agency. It is not just a recognition of our successes over the past five years, it’s a testament to all the hard work, dedication and contributions of every one of the nearly 12,000 NJ Transit employees.”

APTA Announces 2023 Public Transportation Award, Hall of Fame Honorees (UPDATED Aug. 18)

The American Public Transportation Association (APTA) on Aug. 14 reported the 14 North American organizations and leaders earning its annual awards for “vision, leadership and commitment to public transportation,” plus the induction of six new members into the APTA Hall of Fame.

Metro-North’s locomotive No. 201 pays tribute to Conrail. (MTA photo)

Transit Briefs: Metro-North Railroad, BART, MBTA, OC Transpo, Metrolinx, NYMTA/LIRR

Metro-North Railroad celebrates its 40-year history of public service with a second rebranded locomotive; Bay Area Rapid Transit’s (BART) latest Quarterly Performance Report (QPR) shows major service reliability improvements with fewer delays; the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority’s (MBTA) Operations Control Center (OCC) policies meet Federal Transit Administration (FTA) requirements for safety of the public and workforce; service on OC Transpo’s Ottawa LRT network resumes; Metrolinx announces e-scooter pilot program with SCOOTY Mobility; and the New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) announces preliminary findings of internal investigation following Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) derailment.

BART on July 26 released its annual Sustainability Report.

Transit Briefs: BART, MBTA

San Francisco Bay Area Rapid Transit District (BART) releases its 2022 Sustainability Report. Also, Massachusetts lawmakers propose transferring Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) safety oversight to a new independent agency.

Commentary

Meet the Sheep: BART Welcomes a New Animal to Its Fire Mitigation Toolkit

For the past two years, BART’s grazing goats have munched away at dried grasses around BART property. It’s a winning deal for the bleaters and for BART: the goats want to eat,

Rendering Courtesy of Alstom

Transit Briefs: SEPTA, SFMTA, LA Metro, New Orleans RTA

The Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) will tackle critical track and power maintenance as part of its 2023 Trolley Tunnel Blitz. Also, San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency (SFMTA) riders will soon receive improved wireless connectivity; copper theft causes delays on LA Metro’s rail lines; and the New Orleans Regional Transit Authority’s (RTA) Rampart streetcar line reopening is pushed back to 2024 amid infrastructure delays.

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