CTA

“We need to make sure our first responders are ready to respond to emergencies involving pipelines and hazardous materials,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg.

FTA: $4.45B for Major Transit Projects

The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) on March 9 announced that 18 large transit projects in 11 states across the U.S. were recommended to receive $4.45 billion for construction by U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg.

Brightline train in Orlando. (Photo by David C. Lester)

Transit Briefs: Brightline, CTA, Sound Transit, USDOT

Ahead of service to Orlando, train testing of up to 125 mph is beginning for Brightline, Florida’s private-sector passenger railroad. Also, Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) is livestreaming the morning rush service conditions on Blue Line O’Hare Branch; Sound Transit’s Link light rail extension from Tacoma to Seattle is delayed again; and the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) establishes a partnership with the city of Austin, Tex., to finance mobility and Infrastructure projects, including the $7.1 billion Project Connect.

CTA has signed an MOU with the U.S. Army to join the the Partnership for Your Success (PaYS) recruiting initiative.

Transit Briefs: CTA, MARTA, MBTA

The Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) signs agreement with U.S. Army as part of veteran recruitment efforts. Also, the Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA) receives AAA credit rating from Standard & Poor’s (S&P); and Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey deploys independent team of experts to expedite CRRC’s (China Railway Rolling Stock Corp.) delivery of remaining train cars to the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA).

Marymoor Village is one of two stations under construction as part of the Downtown Redmond Link Extension. (Sound Transit photo)

Transit Briefs: MARTA, CTA, BART, Sound Transit, MBTA

The Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA) Police Department (MPD) accomplishes a significant reduction in violent crime in 2022; the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) awards $75 million contract for Racine Blue Line Station improvements; Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) unveils new campaigns to complement ridership recovery; Sound Transit releases fresh pics of the Downtown Redmond Link Extension project; and the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) looks to hire additional dispatchers and train operators to enhance subway service.

"Transportation gives us the freedom our nation was founded upon," said FTA Administrator Nunia Fernandez.

Transit Briefs: FTA, WMATA, NJ Transit, CTA, San Diego County, ORDC, TTC

The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) announces $6 million in funding to explore transportation insecurity that leads to poverty. Also, the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) announces new partnership between the Metro Transit Police Department (MTPD) and the DC Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) to enhance public safety; NJ Transit engineers say they could strike over pay disparity; the Chicago Transit Authority’s (CTA) latest interactive scorecard reveals more reliable service in January; San Diego County supervisors approve resolution to expand free youth public transit ridership program; ORDC will apply for the first phase of funding to study expanding passenger rail service in Ohio; and tunneling on the Toronto Transit Commission’s (TTC) Bloor-Danforth Subway Line began in January.

From Left to Right: ASLRRA Chairwoman Judy Petry; RTA CFO Kevin Bueso; and INRD Director, Safety and Training Austin Milton.
  • News

People News: ASLRRA, RTA, INRD

American Short Line and Regional Railroad Association (ASLRRA) Chairwoman Judy Petry retires from Farmrail. Also, Chicago’s Regional Transportation Authority (RTA) welcomes Kevin Bueso as new Chief Financial Officer (CFO); and Indiana Rail Road (INRD) promotes Austin Milton to Director, Safety and Training.

Brightline is teaming with Uber to help get passenger rail riders to and from all five of its South Florida stations (Miami, Aventura, Fort Lauderdale, Boca Raton and West Palm Beach).

Transit Briefs: Brightline, CTA, NYMTA, VRE, VTA

Brightline, Florida’s private-sector passenger railroad, partners with Uber. Also, Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) awards a four-year property maintenance contract as part of its Red Line Extension project; New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) selects Skanska to improve passenger circulation at Grand Central-42nd Street Station; Virginia Railway Express (VRE) seeks approval for Fiscal Year 2024 operating and capital budget; and Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) provides free Transit app upgrade to all riders.

The Chicago Transit Authority received a $450,000 grant through the FTA’s FY 2021 Areas of Persistent Poverty (AoPP) Program “to develop an engagement plan for communities that will be served by the planned 5.6-mile Red Line rail extension.” (Rendering Courtesy of CTA)

FTA: Grant Applications Welcome for Areas of Persistent Poverty Program

The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) on Jan. 9 reported that $20 million in competitive grant funding is now available for FY 2023 through its Areas of Persistent Poverty (AoPP) Program, which “provides more resources to underserved and disadvantaged communities seeking to expand or improve transit systems.” Applications are due March 10, 2023.

CTA's Garfield Green Line Station has received the international BLT Built Design Award in the "Bridges and Public Architecture" category.

Transit Briefs: Minn. Met Council, CTA, LA Metro, MBTA/RIDOT

Minnesota’s Metropolitan Council (Met Council) approves $350 million in federal transportation investments. Also, Chicago Transit Authority’s (CTA) Bryn Mawr Red Line Station wins Architecture “MasterPrize” Award and Garfield Green Line Station wins BLT Built Design Award; LA Metro’s Foothill Gold Line Light Rail Project is nearly two-thirds complete as 2022 ends; and the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority’s (MBTA) Pawtucket, R.I., commuter rail station is set to open Jan. 23.