Caltrain

Caltrain expects to roll out electrified commuter rail service, including faster trains, less wait time at stations and a simplified schedule, starting September 2024. (Caltrain Photograph)

Transit Briefs: Caltrain, Metrolink, Metrolinx, SCVTA

Caltrain releases a proposed service plan for its September 2024 Electrification Project rollout. Also, southern California’s Metrolink commuter rail service is launching a fare-free pilot program for students; Metrolinx provides a behind-the-scenes look at one of the most unique stations along Toronto’s Eglinton Crosstown LRT; and inflation and other factors boost the price tag of Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority’s (SCVTA) BART Silicon Valley Phase II Extension Project.

Jim Blaze photo

Transit Briefs: Amtrak, Skyline, Caltrain, NJ Transit

Amtrak makes progress in bringing stations into compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Also, Honolulu’s Skyline sees an increase in ridership; Caltrain completes three major milestones toward Electrification Program; and NJ Transit’s Walter Rand Transportation Center (WRTC) Improvement Project continues to advance.

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.

VIA Rail has announced an investment of more than $80 million in the renovation of four of its 36 “heritage” stations: Winnipeg Union Station (pictured), Vancouver Pacific Station, Halifax Station and Gare du Palais in Québec City. (Photograph Courtesy of VIA Rail, via X, formerly known as Twitter)

Transit Briefs: Caltrain, MBTA, Metro-North, Sound Transit, TTC, VIA Rail

California’s Caltrain debuts new fare product promotions. Also, Massachusetts Bay Transportation Agency (MBTA) announces its vision to improve safety, service, equity, sustainability and culture; commuter rail service on MTA Metro-North’s New Canaan, Conn., Branch will resume after three months of trackwork; Sound Transit announces the launch date for the Bellevue-to-Redmond, Wash., portion of the East Link light rail extension; Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) confirms that service on Line 3 Scarborough RT (rapid transit) will not restart following a July 24 derailment; and VIA Rail Canada is investing more than C$80 million in four “heritage” stations.

Caltrain’s bilevel EMUs from Stadler operated under power from the overhead contact system (OCS) for the first time this spring. Earlier this month, the Caltrain Board approved exercising the options on its Stadler contract for four more EMUs. The commuter railroad will now order a Stadler battery-equipped EMU. (Caltrain Photograph)

Caltrain to Pilot Stadler BEMU

Caltrain will exercise a contract option with Stadler to purchase a battery-equipped electric multiple unit (BEMU) train comprising three passenger cars and one battery-head housing the battery and power equipment.

evo-rail, Nomad Digital and Alstom will deliver core rail-5G mmWave radio technology to Caltrain, which provides commuter rail service between San Francisco and San Jose, Calif. (Photograph Courtesy of Caltrain via Twitter)

Transit Briefs: Caltrain, Metro-North, SJRRC, VIA Rail

evo-rail teams with Alstom and Nomad Digital to bring rail-5G mmWave radio technology to Caltrain. Also, MTA Metro-North Railroad train inspectors could strike this fall; San Joaquin Regional Rail Commission (SJRRC) will receive $40 million from the California Transportation Commission (CTC) for a double-tracking project that has both freight and passenger rail benefits; and VIA Rail Canada is investing more than C$25 million on London, Ontario, station upgrades.

Transit Briefs: Amtrak, NYMTA, Metra, SEPTA, LA Metro, Caltrain

Amtrak leadership signs Operation Lifesaver, Inc. (OLI) Safety Pledge. Also, the New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority’s (MTA) Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) and Metro-North Railroad set post-pandemic ridership records; Metra seeks public feedback on proposed simplified fare structure; the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) receives two sustainability awards for environmental excellence; LA Metro implements fare capping; and Caltrain delays fare increases.

Amtrak has been honored on the Forbes Best Employers for New Graduates 2023 list.

Transit Briefs: Amtrak, Caltrain, MTA Metro-North, NYMTA

Amtrak is honored on the Forbes Best Employers for New Graduates in 2023 list. Also, renovation work on Amtrak’s William H. Gray III 30th Street Station in Philadelphia is now under way; electric trains operated under power from the overhead contact system (OCS) run on Caltrain’s corridor for the first time; Connecticut’s new budget includes cutting a subsidy to the MTA Metro-North’s New Haven Line; and the New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) completes renovation at Myrtle Ave-Wyckoff Ave subway station in Brooklyn.

Transit Briefs: SFMTA, WMATA, TTC, Caltrain

The San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency (SFMTA) announces that rider satisfaction is the highest it has been in 10 years. Also, Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority’s (WMATA) Yellow Line train service resumes; the Toronto Transit Commission’s 504A King streetcar resumes service; and Caltrain awards construction contract for Mountain View Transit Center Grade Separation and Access Project.

LOAD MORE