Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning

Caltrain on Dec. 7 unveiled its fall 2024 schedule for electrified service, which it said includes faster transit times and more frequent service including during weekends. (Caltrain Photograph)

Transit Briefs: BART, Caltrain, CMAP, CTA, NYMTA

The San Francisco Bay Area Rapid Transit District (BART) Board approves a new financial organizational structure. Also, California’s Caltrain releases a service plan for its fall 2024 Electrification Project rollout; Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning (CMAP) delivers to state legislators recommendations for keeping regional transit afloat; Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) wraps up this year’s “Refresh & Renew” project work across 29 rapid transit stations; and New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) competes a subway station-accessibility project in Washington Heights.

Brightline now has schedule apps for the St. Lucie River Railroad Bridge and the New River Bridge in Fort Lauderdale to help mariners plan their trips.

Transit Briefs: Brightline, MBTA, St. Louis Metro Transit, NYMTA, CMAP

Brightline and Florida East Coast Railway launch St. Lucie River Railroad Bridge app. Also, municipalities face penalties for not following Massachusetts zoning laws intended to promote housing development near MBTA (Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority) stations; St. Louis, Mo., Metro Transit is seeking quotes for security gate and fence installation at light rail stations; New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority’s (MTA) latest fare increases are now in effect; and Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning (CMAP) is developing recommendations that could reshape transit in the region.

Amtrak Seeks $873MM in FRA CHIP Funding

Amtrak has submitted applications for $873 million in Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) funding for the Chicago Hub Improvement Program (CHIP) to “provide faster and more reliable service to support the Midwest’s growing

“I wish to thank and applaud Ann Begeman for her tireless leadership and dedication to the Surface Transportation Board as Chairman for the last four years,” said Martin J. Oberman, STB Chairman designee. “The STB and our regulatory system are substantially better off than when she started.”

Oberman to Chair STB (Updated)

Martin J. Oberman was designated Chairman of the Surface Transportation Board (STB) on Jan. 21 by President Joe Biden. He was sworn in as an STB member on Jan. 22, 2019, and has held the Vice Chairman position since Jan. 6, 2020.

FRA’s Szabo headed back to Chicago

Federal Railroad Administrator Joseph C. Szabo will be stepping down from the post he has held since April 2009 and, effective Jan. 1, 2015, will be on staff at the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning (CMAP)—effectively returning to his Chicagoland roots.