PASSENGER RAIL FOCUS, RAILWAY AGE FEBRUARY 2023 ISSUE: Whoever thought that Southern California, which decades ago ripped up much of its extensive passenger rail network, would become a rail transit mecca? Agencies like Los Angeles Metro Rail, NCTD, Metrolink and Amtrak are returning the region to its glory days.
The B (Red) Line has always been the busiest line in our transit network. On an average weekday, the B Line has about 75,000 boardings. Together with the D (Purple) Line, which shares some of the same track, the B Line has seen more than 400 million boardings over the past decade. The B Line is one of many subways around the world that are ubiquitous. Nobody bats an eye.
Gov. Gavin Newsom announces three state sites identified for affordable transit-oriented housing in Sacramento. Also, LA Metro will add 93 billboard-size digital signs across the city; Sound Transit adopts $1 ORCA LIFT fares; and Valley Metro announces that mobile fare is now available on the agency’s app.
The Los Angeles County Metropolitan Authority (Metro) announced that it has approved a Master Cooperative Agreement (MCA) for the Inglewood Transit Connector (ITC) project and will partner with the Southern California Regional Rail Authority (Metrolink) to improve Antelope Valley Line (AVL) service.
Amtrak’s contracted Penn Station Partners have released renderings of the planned expansion of Baltimore Penn Station. Also, LA Metro selects Anser Advisory to oversee the development of the Sepulveda Transit Corridor (STC).
Lunar New Year TAP cards are now available at LA Metro Customer Centers and select rail stations. Also, new efforts to bring high-speed rail to downtown San Francisco include a price tag of $6.7 billion; Link21 announced appointment of 18 members to its newly formed Equity Advisory Council; and Brightline continues train testing at higher speeds in Palm Beach County in preparation for opening to Orlando.
Minnesota’s Metropolitan Council (Met Council) approves $350 million in federal transportation investments. Also, Chicago Transit Authority’s (CTA) Bryn Mawr Red Line Station wins Architecture “MasterPrize” Award and Garfield Green Line Station wins BLT Built Design Award; LA Metro’s Foothill Gold Line Light Rail Project is nearly two-thirds complete as 2022 ends; and the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority’s (MBTA) Pawtucket, R.I., commuter rail station is set to open Jan. 23.
LA Metro releases limited edition TAP wearables at Customer Centers. Also, Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) approves developer for North Berkley Transit Oriented Development (TOD); a new transit station area plan for the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority’s (WMATA) Huntington Metro Station, which serves the Yellow Line in Northern Virginia, has been approved; the East-West Rail Commission plans first hearing on Boston-Springfield passenger service; the Santa Cruz County Regional Transportation Commission (RTC) pursues concept report for electric rail; and the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) grants the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) a waiver for train safety at Grand Central Madison.
The Port of Long Beach (POLB) on Nov. 10 released its relocation plan for the proposed Pier B On-Dock Rail Support Facility project, which will reconfigure, expand and enhance the existing rail yard and directly connect to on-dock rail facilities and the Alameda Corridor railway.
The Los Angeles Metropolitan Authority (Metro) will offer free rides on Election Day, Tuesday, Nov. 8. Also, the Sacramento Regional Transit District (SacRT) will offer free rides to active and retired military service men and women on Veterans Day, Friday, Nov. 11; and the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) will install an $80 million underground cable network to prevent train collisions and launches online “Find Your Polling Location” tool ahead of Election Day.