AmeriStarRail is proposing a battery electric streetcar system for Wilmington, Del.

Transit Briefs: AmeriStarRail, CTA, MBTA, Gateway Development Commission, MDOT, SEPTA, CHSRA

AmeriStarRail proposes a battery electric streetcar system for Wilmington, Del. Also, CTA President Dorval R. Carter is named Equity in Infrastructure Project (EIP) Co-Chair; the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) aims to boost officer retention with a new Police Association contract and announces that Commuter Rail ridership has reached a new post-pandemic peak; the Gateway Development Commission can now officially receive checks from the Federal Transit Administration (FTA); the Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT) awards two contracts to study potential transit-oriented development (TOD) at light rail and subway stations; the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) Board approves a new contract agreement with TWU Local 234; and the California High-Speed Rail Authority (CHSRA) enters into an agreement with 13 rail labor unions.

(MBTA Photograph)

MBTA: $24.5B Needed to Support System ‘State of Good Repair’

The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) on Nov. 15 released its Capital Needs Assessment and Inventory (CNAI), which estimated that approximately $24.5 billion is needed to support the existing network’s state of good repair (SGR). Conducted every three-to-four years, the CNAI is an MBTA-led analysis to outline assets and overall system condition.

Monica G. Tibbits-Nutt, Secretary, MassDOT

Tibbits-Nutt to Lead MassDOT

Monica G. Tibbits-Nutt has been appointed Secretary of the Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT). She had been leading the department in an acting capacity since Sept. 11.

NJ Transit's Erie Heritage locomotive debuted Nov. 8 at Hoboken Terminal.

Transit Briefs: NJ Transit, MBTA, TCMC Intercity Passenger Rail Project, Amtrak, Omaha Streetcar

NJ Transit unveils its latest heritage locomotive. Also, the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) launches an improved web interface; the second Twin Cities-Milwaukee-Chicago (TCMC) passenger train is on hold until 2024; Mobile forwards a lease agreement to Amtrak for a stop in Alabama; and Omaha reveals the first phase of its streetcar design.

FTA Seeks Input on Hours of Service, Fatigue Risk Management Programs

The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) is considering minimum safety standards to provide protections for transit workers to obtain rest “thereby reducing the risk of fatigue-related safety injuries.”

MBTA’s winning exterior design for its Green Line Type 10 “supercars” from CAF USA Inc. (pictured) was selected by riders and the transit agency’s employees. (Rendering Courtesy of MBTA)

Transit Briefs: MBTA, Brightline, Denver RTD, NIRDA

Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) unveils the exterior paint design for its new Green Line cars. Also, Brightline offers a new All-Station Shared Pass for travel between Miami and Orlando, Fla.; Denver (Colo.) Regional Transportation District reports that more than 75% of rail and bus riders are “satisfied” or “very satisfied” with service; and Northwest Indiana Regional Development Authority (NIRDA) advances three new transit development districts along South Shore commuter rail lines.

LA Metro's pilot program to test restrooms for riders and staff begins this month. (Image Courtesy of Throne)

Transit Briefs: MARTA, CTA, LA Metro, WMATA, MBTA

The Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA) awards a contract for a new automated fare collection system. Also, Chicago Transit Authority’s (CTA) Red Line Extension (RLE) project will receive a $100 million federal grant; LA Metro’s pilot program to test restrooms for riders and staff begins this month at four stations; the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) commits to regular checks of brake bolts after derailment; and $900,000 in local emergency response funding will be released for additional safety equipment associated with the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority’s (MBTA) new South Coast Rail (SCR) service in 2024.

Amtrak on Sept. 21 celebrated the $1.4 million renovation of its Missouri River Runner-served station in Jefferson City. (Amtrak Photograph)

Transit Briefs: Amtrak, MBTA, NYMTA, SMART

Amtrak completes $1.4 million station-accessibility upgrade project in Jefferson City, Mo. Also, Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) schedules fall service shutdowns for maintenance work; New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) reports post-pandemic subway ridership records and releases a Request for Information for subway platform cooling technologies; and Petaluma, Calif., receives $30.2 million for affordable housing at the future Petaluma North SMART (Sonoma-Marin Area Rail Transit) Station.

Crews replace windows broken by vandals on Sept. 12. (Marc Hermann / MTA)

Transit Briefs: NYMTA, GO Transit, MBTA

The New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) addresses extensive vandalism on subways. Also, Ontario upgrades two GO stations along Stouffville Line; and residents say the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) is “unsafe and service isn’t great either,” according to a recent poll.

Brightline has again delayed the start of its much-anticipated Miami-to-Orlando service. (Photograph by David C. Lester)

Transit Briefs: BART, Brightline, Caltrain, MBTA, OC Transpo, PRT

San Francisco Bay Area Rapid Transit District’s (BART) Police Department earns highest level of accreditation from expert law enforcement panel. Also, Brightline, Florida’s private-sector passenger railroad, again delays its Miami-to-Orlando line opening; Caltrain energizes its second traction power substation as part of the California commuter railroad’s Electrification Project; Massachusetts lawmakers seek year-round MBTA Commuter Rail service between Boston and Buzzards Bay; Ottawa’s OC Transpo will add more trains this fall to O-Train Line 1 if ridership increases; and Pittsburgh (Pa.) Regional Transit (PRT) is reversing its COVID-19 vaccine requirement for employees.

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