Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority

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.

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.

Réseau express métropolitain (REM) has revised its network commissioning schedule due to continued challenges with work on the century-old Mount Royal Tunnel in Montreal. (Photograph Courtesy of REM)

Transit Briefs: GCRTA, Metra/CTA/Pace, REM, STM

Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority (GCRTA) has joined the American Public Transportation Association’s (APTA) Racial Equity Commitment Pilot Program. Also, Chicago Transit Authority (CTA), Metra and Pace Suburban Bus have approved a new Regional Connect Pass for area riders; Réseau express métropolitain (REM) has revised its network commissioning schedule due to continued challenges with work on the century-old Mount Royal Tunnel in Montreal; and STM’s (Société de transport de Montréal) C$492.3 million Côte-Vertu underground train storage facility has officially opened.