Transit Briefs: LA Metro, RTD, VPRA/Amtrak, TTC, APTA

LA Metro continues to increase ridership with weekend riders driving growth. Also, the Regional Transportation District (RTD) Board of Directors approves new fare structure and equity analysis; ridership on the Virginia Passenger Rail Authority’s (VPRA) Amtrak Virginia service reaches all-time high; an early decommission of Toronto Transit Commission’s (TTC) Scarborough Rapid Transit (SRT) line is possible following derailment; and the American Public Transportation Association (APTA) recognizes HDR with 2023 Sustainability Commitment Award.

CTA is starting a nearly three-month project on the Blue Line’s Forest Park Branch that will replace 15,000 feet of track between the LaSalle and Illinois Medical District stations; demolish and begin rebuilding the Racine station to meet modern accessibility guidelines; and upgrade the traction power system. (CTA Photograph)

Transit Briefs: CTA, Denver RTD, Metrolinx

Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) launches a $268 million rebuild project on the Blue Line’s Forest Park Branch. Also, Denver (Colo.) Regional Transportation District (RTD) adopts revisions to the Customer Code of Conduct; and Metrolinx unveils a mobile-optimized website for the UP Express air-rail link in Toronto.

Brightline has teamed with Starlink to provide internet connectivity onboard its five trainsets serving South Florida between Miami and West Palm Beach. It will be added to Brightline’s five newest Siemens Mobility trainsets this summer when service to Orlando is slated to begin. (Brightline Photograph)

Transit Briefs: Brightline, Denver RTD, NYMTA, VIA Rail

Brightline, Florida’s private-sector passenger railroad, offers riders high-speed, low-latency broadband service from Starlink. Also, Denver Regional Transportation District (RTD) provides real-time train/bus arrival information through a new Interactive Voice Response (IVR) customer service system; New York’s MTA Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) and MTA Metro-North Railroad reach record average weekday ridership; and VIA Rail Canada releases 2022 annual report.

Commentary

Conversation with Denver RTD Chief of Police and Emergency Management Dr. Joel Fitzgerald Sr.

RTD’s newest Chief of Police and Emergency Management, Dr. Joel Fitzgerald Sr., joined the agency in August 2022 and carries primary responsibility for customer safety and security across the eight counties and

Ken Kessler, Chief Financial Officer, Valley Metro, Phoenix, Ariz. (left); Stuart Summers, Chief Communications and Engagement Officer, Regional Transportation District (RTD), Denver, Colo.

People News: Valley Metro, RTD

Valley Metro in Phoenix, Ariz., appoints Ken Kessler as Chief Financial Officer. Also, Denver (Colo.) Regional Transportation District (RTD) hires Stuart Summers as Chief Communications and Engagement Officer.

RTD Submits ‘Zero Fare for Better Air’ Final Report

The Regional Transportation District (RTD) on Nov. 30 announced that it has submitted a final report to the Colorado Energy Office detailing the outcomes of its inaugural Zero Fare for Better Air (ZFBA) period, which took place this past August, as a requirement of the Ozone Season Free Transit Grant Program created in the Colorado Senate Bill 22-180.

The Green Line Light Rail Transit project’s 11.18-mile (18-kilometer) Phase I will use CAF LRVs to connect southeast Calgary to downtown.

Transit Briefs: Calgary Green Line; Denver RTD; Vancouver SkyTrain

A Request for Qualifications (RFQ) has been released for Phase 1 of the Green Line Light Rail Transit project in Calgary. Also, Denver Regional Transportation District (RTD) has launched a system-wide fare study and equity analysis; and the Vancouver City Council has endorsed the proposed route and station locations for the Millennium Line SkyTrain extension from Arbutus Street to the University of British Columbia.

The Board of Directors at Denver RTD has authorized the agency’s General Manager and CEO Debra A. Johnson (pictured ninth from left) to enter into a successor three-year collective bargaining agreement with the Amalgamated Transit Union Local 1001, which represents two-thirds of RTD employees.

Transit Briefs: Denver RTD, NJ Transit

The Denver Regional Transportation District (RTD) Board has authorized a new contract for union employees. Also, New Jersey Transit (NJ Transit) is creating its first-ever Sustainability Plan.

Pictured: Robert Grado, outgoing Chief of Police and Emergency Management, Denver (Colo.) Regional Transportation District, and Ann Holland, Vice President Operations, Railroad Consultants.

People News: Denver RTD; Railroad Consultants

At Denver (Colo.) Regional Transportation District (RTD), Chief of Police and Emergency Management Robert Grado is stepping down. Also, Murfreesboro, Tenn.-based Railroad Consultants has appointed Ann Holland as Vice President Operations.

HDR will examine extending Denver RTD’s existing B Line commuter rail alignment as well as leasing BNSF right-of-way and tracks to bring service during peak commuting hours from Westminster Station 35.3 miles north to Boulder and Longmont.

Northwest Commuter Rail Planning Advances in Colorado

The Denver Regional Transportation District (RTD) has selected HDR Engineering Inc. to study the feasibility of running peak-service commuter rail to Longmont, Colo.

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