Brightline’s two new South Florida stations—Boca Raton and Adventura—will launch Dec. 21. (Pictured, Adventura Station during a November “sneak peak.”)

Transit Briefs: Brightline, LACMTA, MARTA, MBTA, NYMTA, SEPTA

On Dec. 21, two new stations will open for Brightline, Florida’s private-sector passenger railroad. Also, Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (LACMTA) celebrates its inaugural Youth Council; the first of the brand-new Stadler-built rapid transit car bodies arrive at Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA); Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) eyes Widett Circle property for a new Commuter Rail layover yard; New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) recognizes 51 employees for delivering “exemplary service”; and Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) launches a mobile ticketing pilot program.

LACMTA’s Eastside Transit Corridor Phase 2 project would extend the L Line nine miles from East Los Angeles (at Pomona and Atlantic boulevards) to Whittier, serving the cities of Commerce, Montebello, Pico Rivera, Santa Fe Springs, and Whittier, and the unincorporated communities of East Los Angeles and West Whittier-Los Nietos. (Rendering Courtesy of LACMTA)

Route OK’d for LACMTA’s Eastside Transit Corridor Phase 2

Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (LACMTA) will extend its L (Gold) light rail line approximately 4.6 miles east from the current terminus at Pomona/Atlantic in East Los Angeles to Greenwood Station in Montebello. The Board on Dec. 1 approved this alignment as the initial operating segment for the nine-mile Eastside Transit Corridor Phase 2 project, which will extend the L Line in phases to Whittier.

“Our new fare capping policy will save our customers money and ensure that no one overpays,” LACMTA CEO Stephanie Wiggins said on Dec. 2. (LACMTA Photo, Via Twitter)

Transit Briefs: LACMTA, NCDOT/Amtrak, OLI, VTA

The Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (LACMTA) Board approves a new fare policy. Also, the North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) completes the first phase of construction for a new Amtrak station in Charlotte; Operation Lifesaver, Inc. (OLI) awards more than $140,000 in grants to eight transit agencies in six states; and Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) receives authority to pursue federal funding for up to 50% of the cost of Phase II of the BART Silicon Valley Extension Project.

Brightline is continue work on its $2.7 billion Orlando extension with train testing in northern Brevard County, Fla., that will see trains travel up to 79 mph over the next week (Oct. 29-Nov. 5) and increase to 110 mph in early 2023.

Transit Briefs: Brightline, LACMTA, Metrolinx, SacRT

Ahead of service to Orlando, train testing of up to 79 mph is scheduled for Brightline, Florida’s private-sector passenger railroad. Also, Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (LACMTA) has released the results of its 2022 Customer Experience Survey; Metrolinx, the Greater Toronto Hamilton Area transit authority, has averted a strike that would have impacted train and bus service on Oct. 31; and Sacramento Regional Transit District (SacRT) is offering free rides to help “Drive the Vote.”

UTA on Oct. 17 began auctioning off its 25 Comet cars, which were retired from FrontRunner commuter rail service earlier this year. Bidding ends Nov. 1.

Transit Briefs: CTA, LACMTA, Metra, TTC, UTA, Valley Link

The Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) issues monthly “scorecards” on service performance. Also, the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (LACMTA) releases Draft Environmental Impact Report for a proposed gondola to Dodger Stadium; Chicago’s Metra awards Homewood Station renovation contract; Toronto Transit Commission on Oct. 19 is hosting a “TTC Connects: Women as Transit Operators” virtual information session; Utah Transit Authority (UTA) is auctioning 25 Comet cars; and the Tri-Valley-San Joaquin Valley Regional Rail Authority Board advances the Valley Link passenger rail project in California.

LACMTA officials on Oct. 7 commemorated the grand opening of the K Line, Los Angeles’ newest light rail line. (Photograph Courtesy of LACMTA)

Transit Briefs: APTA, LACMTA, NJ Transit

The American Public Transportation Association (APTA) has released a new report on the “Transit Workforce Shortage: Root Causes, Potential Solutions, and the Road Ahead.” Also, Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (LACMTA) officially opened the K Line, formerly known as the Crenshaw/LAX Line, on Oct. 7; and New Jersey Transit will replace the windows in 429 multi-level commuter railcars.

The K Line next to Edward Vincent Jr. Park in Inglewood. (Metro)

LA Metro’s K Line Light Rail to Open in October

The Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro) announced on Sept. 22 that it will officially open the K Line, formerly known as the Crenshaw/LAX Line, to the public shortly after noon on Friday, Oct. 7. In celebration, Metro will be offering free rides on the entire Metro Bus and Rail System, including Metro Bike Share, opening weekend.

Brightline on Sept. 17 posted on Twitter: “See you next year, Orlando. Construction is 83% complete & our Orlando Station is taking shape!” The station is located in Orlando International Airport’s new Terminal C, which opened to the public on Sept. 20. (Photograph Courtesy of Brightline, via Twitter)

Transit Briefs: Brightline, MBTA, WMATA, LACMTA, Metro Transit

Brightline’s 170-mile passenger rail extension to Orlando, Fla., is nearing completion. Also, Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) and Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) are addressing budget shortfalls; Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority’s (LACMTA) GoPass Program will be extended for all 21 community colleges in LA County; and Metro Transit in Minneapolis/St. Paul, Minn., has signed a new advertising contract.

Amtrak, in conjunction with the Washington State DOT, Oregon DOT, VIA Rail Canada and other federal agencies, will restart service to Vancouver via Cascades on Sept. 26. (Photograph Courtesy of Amtrak)

Transit Briefs: Amtrak, CTA, Gateway, LACMTA, SFMTA/Muni, SMART, VIA Rail

Amtrak Cascades service to Vancouver, B.C., is resuming this month. Also, the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) has released a combined Final Environmental Impact Statement (EIS)/Record of Decision (ROD) for Chicago Transit Authority’s (CTA) Red Line Extension Project; the Gateway rail tunnel project price tag has risen to $16.1 billion, with a new construction start-date of 2024; Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (LACMTA) has expanded its student fareless pass program; San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency (SFMTA) has launched the MuniSafe campaign; Northern California’s Sonoma-Marin Area Rail Transit (SMART) marked its fifth anniversary last month; and VIA Rail Canada has released its second-quarter 2022 report.

Amtrak CEO Stephen Gardner has signed the CEO Action for Diversity & Inclusion™, a CEO-driven business commitment to advance diversity and inclusion in the workplace. (Photograph Courtesy of Amtrak)

Transit Briefs: Amtrak, Broward Commuter Rail Link, LACMTA, MARTA

Amtrak has joined the CEO Action for Diversity & Inclusion™. Also, Broward County, Fla., has approved planning for a proposed southern commuter rail link; the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (LACMTA) Board has approved a contract with the Sheet Metal, Air, Rail and Transportation Workers (SMART) Union, and approved a $66 million construction management contract for the East San Fernando Valley Light Rail Transit Project; and Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA) has earned an upgraded “AA” credit rating from Fitch Ratings.

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