Transit Briefs: BART, VRE
Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) has started a platform-level sign pilot at Lake Merritt Station in Oakland, Calif.; Virginia Railway Express (VRE) is set to restore full commuter rail service.
Bay Area Rapid Transit
People News: NJ Transit, HDR, Schenck, STV, WSP
New Jersey Transit hires Chief of Construction Management; HDR names Transportation Program Delivery Services Director; Schenck Process Group signs on Advisory Board Chairman; STV appoints Vice President; WSP USA welcomes two Leadership Team members for Southern California and Nevada.
Fernandez Nominated for FTA Administrator (Updated)
President Joe Biden has officially sent to the U.S. Senate his nomination of Nuria I. Fernandez for Administrator of the Federal Transit Administration (FTA); the move would elevate her from Acting Administrator.
COVID-19 Rescue Package Signed: What’s in Store for Transit and Amtrak
Let’s take a closer look at the increases in relief for transit and Amtrak; consider how they will affect service; and examine what transit, Amtrak and their riders can expect in the near future.
Northern California: Link21 Megaproject Unveiled
The San Francisco Bay Area Rapid Transit District (BART) and Capitol Corridor Joint Powers Authority (CCJPA) have embarked on Link21, described as “a transformational improvement program” that will connect BART with the region’s intercity, commuter and high-speed passenger rail systems while also “connecting people sustainably to employment opportunities and affordable housing throughout the 21-county Northern California Megaregion.”
BART Silicon Valley Phase 2 Advancing With $100MM FTA Pledge
California’s Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) has been allocated $100 million from the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) for phase 2 of the Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) Silicon Valley project. The $6.86 billion final phase will extend BART operations 6.5 miles from downtown San José to Santa Clara and include four new stations.
BART Pausing New Car Deliveries
San Francisco Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) reported it will temporarily halt delivery of its new Fleet of the Future (FOTF) rapid transit cars from Bombardier Transportation due to two reliability issues.
FTA Allocates $544.3MM to Seven Transit Projects
The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) will allocate $544.3 million to seven transit infrastructure projects—five rail-specific— through the Capital Investment Grants (CIG) Program. This discretionary grant program funds capital investments in rapid transit, commuter rail, light rail, streetcars and bus rapid transit (BRT).
SJRRC Caps Fares With CAP
California’s San Joaquin Regional Rail Commission (SJRRC) has launched the Altamont Corridor Express (ACE) Community Assistance Program (CAP) as a one-year pilot “to address equity and enhance regional mobility.”
FTA Awards $6.2MM in TOD Grants
Nine projects—seven rail-specific—will share $6.2 million in Federal Transit Administration (FTA) grants through the Pilot Program for Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) Planning.