GCRTA

TriMet photo

Transit Briefs: TriMet, NCTCOG, PANYNJ, Oregon Senate, TransLink, GCRTA

TriMet expands Hop Fastpass® benefits to contactless bank cards and announces that construction of it’s A Better Red MAX Extension and Reliability and Improvements Project is nearing the end. Also, the North Central Texas Council of Governments (NCTCOG) hires McKinsey & Company and InfraStrategies LLC to lead the strategic assessment of transit in Dallas-Fort Worth; the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey (PANYNJ) opens a new $47.2 million accessible station house at the PATH Harrison Station; the Oregon Senate passes a bill criminalizing the use of illicit drugs on public transportation; TransLink tests a new multi-modal smartphone app; and the Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority (GCRTA) is awarded $9.5 million for transit projects.

Metra is changing its fare structure, prices, and purchase channels effective Feb. 1. (Metra Photograph)

Transit Briefs: Metra, Sound Transit, GCRTA

Chicago’s Metra is changing its commuter rail fare structure and closing remaining ticket windows. Also, Seattle’s Sound Transit will consider fare gates this year; and Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority (GCRTA) wins a “Healthy Worksite” award.

A $12.4 million grant from the Ohio Department of Transportation will go toward GCRTA’s Rail Car Replacement Program. In July, Siemens Mobility was contracted to replace the agency’s Red Line fleet with 24 S200s. (Rendering Courtesy of Siemens Mobility)

Transit Briefs: GCRTA, NCTD, SEPTA, VRE

Ohio’s Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority (GCRTA) receives a $12.4 million state grant for railcar replacement. Also, California’s North County Transit District (NCTD) is awarded state funding for a climate vulnerability and needs assessment; Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) rolls out contactless payment technology; and Virginia Railway Express (VRE) seeks public comment on fare changes proposed in its preliminary fiscal year 2025 budget.

(Photograph Courtesy of BNSF)
  • News

People News: Alstom, ARH, ARRC, GCRTA, Phoenix Valley Metro, RailState, Uber Freight

Alstom appoints a new Vice President, Communications and Public Affairs, Americas. Also, two Anacostia Rail Holdings (ARH) executives complete post-graduate degree programs; Alaska Railroad (ARRC) names a Director of External Affairs; Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority (GCRTA) renews the contract of its CEO/General Manager; Valley Metro of Phoenix, Ariz., welcomes a new Chief Maintenance Officer; real-time network visibility provider RailState hires a Solutions Architect; and logistics firm Uber Freight appoints a former Norfolk Southern executive as Head of Intermodal.

The new Siemens Model 200 railcars, approved by GCRTA, are modeled after a fleet currently used by Calgary Transit (pictured).

Transit Briefs: GCRTA, LIRR

Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority (GCRTA) Board Members approve request to purchase 24 Siemens Model S200 railcars. Also, MTA Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) surpasses one million customers at Grand Central Madison.

A March 31-April 1 inspection of the CATS Operations Control Center by the North Carolina Department of Transportation found that “required staffing levels were not met—and the transit agency was ordered to ‘cease revenue service’ if not addressed the following day,” according to the Charlotte Business Journal. (CATS Photograph)

Transit Briefs: CATS, FRA Corridor ID, GCRTA, MBTA, WMATA

Charlotte Area (N.C.) Transit System (CATS) addresses its lack of required Operations Control Center staff. Also, Big Sky Passenger Rail Authority, Schuylkill River Passenger Rail Authority, and an Atlanta, Nashville, Memphis and Chattanooga partnership submit proposals for intercity passenger rail service through the Federal Railroad Administration’s (FRA) Corridor Identification and Development (ID) Program; Greater Cleveland (Ohio) Regional Transit Authority (GCRTA) selects Siemens Mobility as the likely supplier of its new light rail vehicle fleet; Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) publishes a three-year safety improvement plan; and Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) readies for the spring reopening of its Yellow Line.

Map of the proposed Twin Cities-Milwaukee-Chicago intercity passenger rail service. This project would add an additional daily round-trip passenger train to the existing Amtrak Empire Builder corridor between the Twin Cities and Chicago. (Caption and Map Courtesy of MnDOT)

Transit Briefs: Amtrak, CATS, GCRTA, NYMTA, SEPTA, STM

The Twin Cities-Milwaukee-Chicago Intercity Passenger Rail Project (TCMC) is now in the final design phase. Also, the Charlotte Area Transit System (CATS) in North Carolina introduces fare capping; Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority (GCRTA) in Ohio is launching a pilot project to address “last-mile” gaps; a $57.9 million design and engineering base contract has been approved for the New York Penn Station project; Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) has released design concepts for new trolley stations; and starting next month, Société de transport de Montréal (STM) métro riders can bring their pet dogs on board.

The New York Transit Museum's Parade of Trains "offers a chance for everyone to experience New York City transportation history firsthand," MTA says. (Photo: Max Diamond, Courtesy of MTA)

Transit Briefs: NY MTA, TransLink, TECO Line Streetcar, GCRTA

The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) announces that visitors of the New York Transit Museum can ride vintage trains at Brighton Beach Station. Also, the PayByPhone app comes to TransLink Park and Ride lots; the TECO Line Streetcar celebrates one million rides; and the Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority (GCRTA) launches Transit Ambassador Program.