CapMetro

The Virginia CTB has approved new policies that change the way VRE is funded and reform from the governance and funding of WMATA.

Transit Briefs: TTC, NYMTA, VRE/WMATA, ATP, Brightline

The Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) proposes new investments in customer service, community safety and security initiatives. Also, New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) Construction & Development (C&D) achieves insurance costs and risk assessment savings of nearly $400 million; Virginia’s Commonwealth Transportation Board (CTB) approves new Virginia Railway Express (VRE) and Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) policies; Austin Transit Partnership (ATP) approves $190 million spending plan for fiscal year 2024; and Brightline announces Orlando transportation partners.

Cordel Group PLC and D/Gauge Ltd. (part of the TÜV Rheinland Group) have landed a multi-year contract to provide Amtrak with a Rail Clearance Management system.

Transit Briefs: Amtrak, BART, CapMetro, CTDOT, PATH, TTC, WMATA

Amtrak awards Rail Clearance Management system contract. Also, the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) lowers its ridership estimate for San Francisco Bay Area Rapid Transit District’s (BART) extension through San José; CapMetro’s Project Connect in Austin, Tex., has five new light rail options; Connecticut Department of Transportation (CTDOT) is developing a unified, statewide public transit information system for mobile devices; PATH introduces nine-car train service on the Newark (N.J.)-World Trade Center (N.Y.) line; the city of Toronto, Ontario, and the Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) bolster transit system outreach efforts; and Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) tests new fare gates.

Pictured (left to right): Dottie Watkins, CapMetro; Andrew Barr, Hitachi Europe Ltd.; and Giuseppe Marino, Hitachi Rail.
  • News

People News: CapMetro, DCTA, Hitachi Rail

Capital Metro (CapMetro) of Austin, Tex., names Dottie Watkins President and CEO. Also, Denton County (Tex.) Transportation Authority (DCTA) appoints four new executives, Maurice Bell, Sherrelle Evans-Jones, Bracey Goodwin IV and David Magaña; and Hitachi, Ltd. elevates Andrew Barr to Vice President and Executive Officer in charge of Regional Strategies (EMEA), and President of Hitachi Europe Ltd., and Giuseppe Marino to Group CEO of Hitachi Rail, a global supplier of rolling stock, signaling, service and maintenance, digital technology and turnkey systems.

NJ Transit wrote in an Oct. 12 Twitter post: “Today, NJ TRANSIT CEO Kevin Corbett joined @govmurphy, Congressman @frankpallone, @speakercoughlin, @woodbridgenj Mayor John McCormac and Russo Development CEO Edward Russo to advance a significant Transit Oriented Development (TOD) project at MetroPark Train Station.” (Photograph Courtesy of NJ Transit, via Twitter)

Transit Briefs: CapMetro, Metra, NJ Transit

Capital Metropolitan Transportation Authority (CapMetro) seeks 1,000-plus jobs for Project Connect in Austin, Tex. Also, Chicago’s Metra unveils 2023 budget; and New Jersey Transit advances a TOD (transit-oriented development) project at Metropark station in Woodbridge.

The first Caltrain EMU tested along part of the 51-mile commuter rail corridor July 16-17. (Photograph Courtesy of Caltrain via Twitter)

Transit Briefs: Caltrain, CapMetro, MBTA, SkyTrain, VTA

Caltrain’s first new Stadler-built KISS EMU (electric multiple unit) has undergone clearance testing in Northern California. Also, CapMetro in Austin, Tex., held a groundbreaking ceremony for McKalla Station, which will be built on the MetroRail Red Line as part of Project Connect; Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) awarded a construction contract for the Codman Yard Expansion and Improvements project; the Province of British Columbia is advancing the Surrey Langley SkyTrain project; and Santa Clara Valley (Calif.) Transportation Authority (VTA) will debut Neighborhood Donation Recycling Stations at four stations this summer.

Pictured: Dottie Watkins, incoming interim CEO of Capital Metro (Houston, Tex.), and Daniel Comorre, Senior Project Manager of Urban Engineers (Los Angeles, Calif.).

People News: CapMetro, GCRTA, Urban Engineers

Capital Metro (CapMetro) of Austin, Tex., named Dottie Watkins interim CEO. Also, Greater Cleveland (Ohio) Regional Transit Authority (GCRTA) elevated Janet Burney to Deputy General Manager, Legal Affairs/General Counsel, and consultancy Urban Engineers appointed Daniel Comorre as Senior Project Manager.