DART

DART riders will now be able to access real-time vehicle locations, arrival time predictions, and alerts such as detours and cancellations on Google Maps, the Transit app, and various other apps. (DART Photograph)

Transit Briefs: DART, NJT, NYMTA

Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) expands the use of real-time data so more riders can track vehicle locations, delays, and service changes. Also, New Jersey Transit (NJT) renews a supplier contract for fare collection system upgrades; and New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) seeks a “master tenant” to develop and manage retail at MTA Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) Grand Central Madison.

BART on April 20 will hold a retirement ceremony and final dispatch of its legacy trains that have been in service for more than half a century. The event, “Riding into History: Final Run of the First Fleet,” will take place at Oakland’s MacArthur Station.

Transit Briefs: BART, Denver RTD, Metra, Sound Transit

San Francisco Bay Area Rapid Transit District (BART) will fully retire its legacy trains next month and is advancing a systemwide fare gates project. Also, Denver (Colo.) Regional Transportation District (RTD) launches an elevator pilot program and joins the White House’s “Challenge to Save Lives from Overdose” initiative; Chicago’s Metra plans a new layover yard near the McHenry County community; and Seattle’s Sound Transit will test new Link LRV (light rail vehicle) seat material.

Pictured: Metro-North Railroad’s “Penn Central” heritage locomotive’s inaugural run. (MTA Metro-North Railroad Photograph)

Transit Briefs: DART, Metro-North, NJT, TriMet

Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) offers a sneak peek of its new LRV seats. Also, MTA Metro-North Railroad debuts its fourth heritage locomotive; New Jersey Transit (NJT) advances a mixed-use, multi-phase Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) project near Hoboken Terminal, where it is also working on resiliency upgrades; and Tri-County Metropolitan Transportation District of Oregon (TriMet) proposes a $1.75 billion budget for Fiscal Year (FY) 2025.

The Metropolitan Council has approved a labor agreement with the ATU Local 1005, which represents more than 2,000 train and bus operators, technicians, public facility workers, cleaners, and transit information representatives, among other positions at Metro Transit.

Transit Briefs: Minn. Met Council, DART

Minnesota’s Metropolitan Council approves a labor agreement that boosts wages for Metro Transit workers. Also, Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) advances the Silver Line Regional Rail project, allowing the return of freight rail service to Plano and Richardson, Tex.

DART photo

Transit Briefs: Amtrak, DART, NYMTA

The Surface Transportation Board (STB) will require additional information in the Amtrak Gulf Coast proceeding and schedules hearing. Also, Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) pilots upgraded seating on light rail and streetcar vehicles; and the New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) installs platform barriers the at 191st Street Station.

NYMTA photo

Transit Briefs: Claymont Transportation Center, NYMTA, DART

The $90 million Claymont Transportation Center will soon open to rail commuters. Also, the New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) announces that significant station upgrades have been completed at the Flushing-Main Street 7 subway station; and Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) festive trains return to bring holiday cheer.

Gary Thomas, National Transit and Rail Market Director, H.W. Lochner, Inc.
  • News

Gary Thomas Joins H.W. Lochner

Former Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) President/Executive Director Gary Thomas has signed on to become National Transit and Rail Market Director for H.W. Lochner, Inc. (Lochner), a Chicago, Ill.-based infrastructure planning and engineering firm.

Amtrak photo

Transit Briefs: Amtrak, SEPTA/Amtrak, LA Metro, NCDOT, DART, SCCRTC

Forbes names Amtrak one of America’s Best Employers for Women. Also, the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) and Amtrak plan to reconnect their stations at 30th Street; LA Metro’s GoPass pilot program is eligible for 1.3 million students; North Carolina Department of Transportation’s (NCDOT) new study explores the development along the S-Line rail corridor; downtown Dallas subway “D2” is no longer part of Dallas Area Rapid Transit’s (DART) long-term plans; and the Santa Cruz County Regional Transportation Commission (SCCRTC) orders a study for its Zero Emission Passenger Rail and Trail Project.

DART is adding more than 100 contract transit security officers to improve public safety and security for riders onboard its light rail vehicles and Trinity Railway Express commuter railcars and at stations. (DART Photograph)

Transit Briefs: DART, LACMTA, OC Transpo, WMATA, Amtrak

Contract transit security officers will join Dallas (Tex.) Area Rapid Transit’s (DART) police and fare enforcement officer team. Also, Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (LACMTA) provides a progress report on its strategic goals in FY 2023 and reviews plans for FY 2024; Ottawa’s OC Transpo expects to resume light rail service this month on its Confederation Line; Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) begins rolling out new, higher faregates to help prevent fare evasion; and Amtrak’s public art program showcases two new installations at New York Penn Station.

Christy Terry, incoming Vice President of Real Estate, Alaska Railroad (left); Michele Wong Krause, Dallas Area Rapid Transit Board Chair and American Public Transportation Association Vice Chair.
  • News

People News: ARRC, DART/APTA

Alaska Railroad (ARRC) elevates Christy Terry to Vice President of Real Estate. Also, Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) Board Chair Michele Wong Krause is appointed Vice Chair of the American Public Transportation Association (APTA).