Brightline West has inked a commitment with the High-Speed Rail Labor Coalition, which comprises 13 rail unions representing more than 160,000 freight, regional, commuter and passenger railroad workers in the United States. (Photograph Courtesy of Brightline West)

Transit Briefs: Brightline West, Metrolinx, NYMTA

Brightline West supports using union labor for its planned 218-mile high-speed rail system connecting Las Vegas and Southern California. Also, Metrolinx provides updates the Finch West LRT’s Humber College Station and Toronto Union Station projects in Canada; and the New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) will test “wide-aisle” fare gates.

Forbes has recognized Amtrak as one of 500 “Best Large Employers” in America for 2023. (Photograph Courtesy of Amtrak)

Transit Briefs: Amtrak, BART, Brightline, Metra, NCTD, TransLink

Amtrak earns a spot on the Forbes 2023 list of America’s Best Large Employers. Also, San Francisco Bay Area Rapid Transit District (BART) launches a domestic violence prevention campaign; Brightline targets the opening of its Orlando, Fla., passenger rail extension, and plans three wildlife overcrossings for its Los Vegas-to-Southern California high-speed rail project; Metra’s Board signs off on the Chicago commuter railroad’s 2023-27 strategic plan; North County Transit District (NCTD) launches pilot fare products to meet the needs of San Diego County’s hybrid workforce; and members of the metro Vancouver community can scrap their cars for 16 months of free transit.

Brightline West is seeking to build a 49-mile high-speed rail system through the Cajon Pass, linking Victor Valley, Calif., and Rancho Cucamonga, Calif., according to an environmental assessment recently released by the FRA.

Transit Briefs: Brightline West, NYMTA, TriMet, WMATA

The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) releases an environmental assessment of Brightline West’s proposed 49-mile Cajon Pass High-Speed Rail system. Also, the Society of American Military Engineers, New York City post, recognizes New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) for improving accessibility; Tri-County Metropolitan Transportation District of Oregon (TriMet) maintains a top bond rating; and Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) reopens six stations following an eight-week shutdown of rail service south of Reagan National Airport.

Rolling Into Orlando

RAILWAY AGE, OCTOBER 2022 ISSUE: Brightline realizes its dream to connect Miami and Orlando while continuing to look ahead.

The Brightline West Cucamonga Station in Rancho Cucamonga, Calif., will be home to the first high-speed passenger rail service in the Inland Empire connecting Rancho Cucamonga, the High Desert and Las Vegas. (Graphic: Business Wire)

Transit Briefs: SBCTA, Metrolink, SEPTA, NJ Transit

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.

Brightline service resumed Nov. 8, 2021, following a suspension on March 25, 2020, due to the pandemic.

Brightline: Progress, Potential, a Whole New Market?

Brightline, Florida’s private-sector passenger railroad, is progressing in its effort to extend service north to Orlando International Airport (OIA) and beyond. There is also an opportunity for Brightline to capture an entirely new ridership base, if the railroad is willing to add a specific new line of service.

Brightline West Makes Progress

Brightline West, the planned private-sector high-performance passenger railroad, is moving toward its goals of bringing passengers to Las Vegas and giving them a way to get there from Los Angeles. The railroad announced that plans are now set to bring its trains into Rancho Cucamonga, a community on Metrolink’s San Bernardino line, for a connection to Los Angeles Union Station.

The proposed map of Brightline West, a high speed passenger rail service connecting Southern California and Las Vegas.

Brightline West Project Advancing in California

The planned $8 billion Brightline West high speed rail line is another step closer to connecting Las Vegas with Southern California.

CHSRA, City of Palmdale Team on Station Project

The California High-Speed Rail Authority (CHSRA) and the city of Palmdale have entered into an agreement to supply matching funds for a $1.35 million RAISE grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation that, if awarded, would support completion of the city’s Station Implementation Master Plan.

Brightline is developing plans for a 65,000-square-foot terminal at the south end of Las Vegas Boulevard as part of its high speed rail project that will connect with Southern California.

Brightline Acquires Site for Las Vegas Terminal

Brightline Holdings has bought 110 acres of land at the south end of Las Vegas Boulevard for a Brightline West terminal, part of its planned $8.4 billion high speed rail project connecting Las Vegas and Southern California.

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