Metro-North’s locomotive No. 201 pays tribute to Conrail. (MTA photo)

Transit Briefs: Metro-North Railroad, BART, MBTA, OC Transpo, Metrolinx, NYMTA/LIRR

Metro-North Railroad celebrates its 40-year history of public service with a second rebranded locomotive; Bay Area Rapid Transit’s (BART) latest Quarterly Performance Report (QPR) shows major service reliability improvements with fewer delays; the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority’s (MBTA) Operations Control Center (OCC) policies meet Federal Transit Administration (FTA) requirements for safety of the public and workforce; service on OC Transpo’s Ottawa LRT network resumes; Metrolinx announces e-scooter pilot program with SCOOTY Mobility; and the New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) announces preliminary findings of internal investigation following Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) derailment.

(Image Courtesy of FTA, via X, formerly known as Twitter)

USF Selected for Transit Worker, Rider Safety Research Project

The University of South Florida (USF) will help transit agencies address transit worker and rider assaults through a $500,000 grant from the Federal Transit Administration (FTA). The research project will identify public

“We know it is critical to fund recovery efforts for these systems, so they can keep taking Americans to work, to school, to doctors’ appointments, and for all the other important journeys that transit provides," said FTA Administrator Nuria Fernandez.

FTA Seeks Comment on Updated National Public Transportation Safety Plan (UPDATED Aug. 8)

The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) on May 31 released an updated version of the National Public Transportation Safety Plan encouraging the public to submit comments on the proposed changes.

“Transit-oriented development reduces reliance on single-occupancy vehicles, improves mobility, and reduces greenhouse gas emissions and air pollution,” FTA Administrator Nuria Fernandez said.

FTA: TOD Planning Grant Applications Welcome

The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) is providing approximately $13.4 million in FY 2023 grant funding through its Pilot Program for Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) Planning. Applications will be accepted through Oct. 10, 2023.

FTA Reopens Emergency Relief Program Funding Application

The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) on Aug. 2 announced that it is reopening the availability of approximately $110 million under the Public Transportation Emergency Relief Program to transit agencies affected by major disasters in calendar years 2017 and 2020-2022.

“We know it is critical to fund recovery efforts for these systems, so they can keep taking Americans to work, to school, to doctors’ appointments, and for all the other important journeys that transit provides," said FTA Administrator Nuria Fernandez.

FTA: $102.3MM in Disaster Relief Funding for Transit Agencies

The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) on July 31 announced $102.3 million in funding to 17 transit agencies, cities and planning councils in eight states and territories to help recover from natural disasters.

BART on July 26 released its annual Sustainability Report.

Transit Briefs: BART, MBTA

San Francisco Bay Area Rapid Transit District (BART) releases its 2022 Sustainability Report. Also, Massachusetts lawmakers propose transferring Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) safety oversight to a new independent agency.

A new Amtrak OIG report finds that Amtrak “faces challenges with the systems and processes it uses to track and manage costs for capital projects, which hinder project teams from identifying emerging cost overruns.” (Photograph Courtesy of Amtrak OIG, via Twitter)

Transit Briefs: Amtrak OIG, FTA, NYMTA

“Amtrak is strengthening its project cost management, but can better organize costs and improve guidance,” according to the latest Amtrak Office of Inspector General (OIG) report. Also, the San Diego Association of Governments (SANDAG), Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) and Cincinnati Connector Streetcar will receive funding through the Federal Transit Administration’s (FTA) Areas of Persistent Poverty Program; and New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) will increase subway fares and implement recommendations of the Blue-Ribbon Panel Report on Fare and Toll Evasion.

FTA Seeks Public Comment on Grant Consolidation

The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) on July 12 announced that it is seeking public guidance on a new consolidated circular entitled, “Grant Programs for Urbanized Areas: Program Guidance and Application Instructions.” Comments are due Sept. 11, 2023.

A new station at 106th Street (rendering above, courtesy of NYMTA) is part of the Phase 2 extension of the Second Avenue Subway in New York.

NYMTA Kicks Off Second Avenue Subway Phase 2 Project

New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) on July 5 reported soliciting the first contract to construct Phase 2 of the Second Avenue Subway, and unveiled draft station renderings for the long-awaited 1.5-mile

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