HART

“Americans cannot stop their lives because a disaster damages their transit systems,” FTA Administrator Nuria Fernandez said Feb. 5. “We know it is critical to fund recovery efforts for these systems, so they can keep taking Americans to work, school, doctors’ appointments, and other important destinations.”

FTA Awards $110MM in Emergency Relief (UPDATED 2/7)

New Jersey Transit (NJT), Tren Urbano, Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority (NFTA), and Hillsborough Area Regional Transit (HART) are among the eight public transportation providers and state Departments for Transportation (DOT) that will

The Office of Customer Experience is now open at Maryland Department of Transportation Maryland Transit Administration, which operates local and commuter buses, Light Rail, Metro Subway, MARC Train service and a Mobility paratransit system. (Maryland DOT Photograph)

Transit Briefs: MDOT MTA, NYMTA, STM, Skyline

The Maryland Department of Transportation Maryland Transit Administration (MDOT MTA) launches the Office of Customer Experience. Also, New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority’s (MTA) capital repairs are slated to cost $43 billion over five years; Société de transport de Montréal (STM) is cutting operating budget costs in 2024 due to a shortfall; and an amended Full Funding Grant Agreement has been signed for Honolulu’s Skyline.

STM photo

Transit Briefs: STM, MBTA, HART, NJ Transit

The Société de transport de Montréal (STM) deploys safety ambassadors on the métro network. Also, the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) proposes low-income fare program; federal funding is approved for the ongoing construction of Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation’s (HART) Skyline rail system; and NJ Transit reallocates federal funding to support critical resiliency projects.

A preliminary design and environmental study will be completed this year on bringing Amtrak service to the Warwick/T.F. Green Airport Station (pictured) in Rhode Island, which is currently served by the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority. (City of Warwick Photograph)

Transit Briefs: Amtrak, HART, Kansas City Streetcar, MARTA

Will Amtrak stop at Warwick, R.I.? Also, the Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation (HART) Board approves a new financing agreement for Skyline; the price tag for Kansas City Streetcar’s riverfront extension has gone up 75%; and Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA) breaks ground on a new transit-oriented development project in DeKalb County, Ga.

Scott Drainville, CEO, Hillsborough Transit Authority (left); Sean Flaherty, Transportation Sustainability and Resiliency Director, HDR (center); and David Cochrane, Senior Vice President and Transportation Program Director, WSP

People News: HART, HDR, WSP

Scott Drainville has transitioned from interim to permanent CEO of Hillsborough Transit Authority (HART), which runs the TECO Line Streetcar in Tampa, Fla. Also, Sean Flaherty is the new Transportation Sustainability and Resiliency Director at HDR, a design firm specializing in engineering, architecture, environmental and construction services; and David Cochrane will now lead high-speed rail projects at engineering, environment and professional services consultancy WSP.

Amtrak this month celebrated completing accessibility improvements at Joseph R. Biden, Jr. Railroad Station in Wilmington, Del. Pictured, from left to right: Delaware Gov. John Carney, Wilmington Mayor Mike Purzycki, Amtrak EVP Laura Mason, U.S. Sen. Tom Carper (D-Del.), White House Senior Advisor Mitch Landrieu, U.S. Rep. Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-Del.), and FRA Administrator Amit Bose.

Transit Briefs: Amtrak, Brightline, CDOT, HART, LACMTA, SRPRA

Amtrak completes Wilmington, Del., station renovations. Also, Brightline releases Miami-to-Orlando, Fla., ridership data; Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) is exploring northwest passenger rail service; the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) targets late 2023 to sign a new Full Funding Grant Agreement with Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation (HART); Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority’s (LACMTA) Ambassador Program may become permanent; and Schuylkill River Passenger Rail Authority (SRPRA) in Pennsylvania renews its contract with consultancy Transportation for America.

CTA photo

Transit Briefs: CTA, HART, Valley Metro

The final major stage of the Chicago Transit Authority’s (CTA) North Belmont Red-Purple Reconstruction project is scheduled to begin this fall. Also, the Hillsborough Area Regional Transit Authority’s (HART) TECO Line Streetcar will remain free for another year; and Valley Metro’s Small Business Financial Assistance Program (SBFAP) reaches $1 million milestone.

Transit Briefs: BART, TTC, VTA, Georgia BeltLine Corridor, CLEARSY/HART

Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) announces the end of paper ticket sales, beginning Sept. 30. Also, wireless service will soon be available for all Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) riders; Valley Transportation Authority’s (VTA) Mobility Assistance Program (MAP) has successfully been implemented; Atlanta BeltLine, Inc. starts planning study for balance of transit on the BeltLine Corridor; and CLEARSY supplies the platform screen gate monitoring system for Honolulu Area Rapid Transit (HART).

MTA photo

Transit Briefs: NYMTA, City of Honolulu, TTC, 2023 Transit Omnibus Bill

The New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) announces next phase of service increases to begin on 1 and 6 subway lines. Also, Honolulu plans $257.1 million Capital Improvement Program (CIP); the Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) pilots Contactless Access™ elevator app at select subway stations; and Gov. JB Pritzker signs State Rep. Kam Buckner’s 2023 Transit Omnibus Bill.

‘Skyline’ Opens in Honolulu

The initial operating segment of Honolulu’s 20-mile, 21-station autonomous (driverless) Skyline, the first urban rail transit GoA4 (Grade of Automation) system in operation in the United States, opened for revenue service on