Transit Briefs: NJ Transit, Metra, MBTA, LA Metro, SMART, OC Transpo

NJ Transit signs lease for new headquarters. Also, Metra launches survey for 2024 fare structure proposal; the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) eliminates significant speed restriction in Orange Line Tunnel; LA Metro launches new fare capping policy on Cubic-powered TAP system and is honored with the 2023 Conference of Minority Transportation Officials (COMTO) Agency of the Year Award; Sonoma-Marin Area Rail Transit (SMART) reduces price of 31-day pass in response to hybrid work week; and OC Transpo announces that it does not have a firm timeline for when service will resume on its LRT Confederation Line following a shut down due to a bearing issue.

The “Browse, Borrow, Board” program provides MBTA riders free access to digital news and e-book content during the nearly two-month-long closure of Boston’s Sumner Tunnel, which is being repaired. (MassDOT Photograph)

Transit Briefs: MBTA, REM, VRE

Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) riders will have free digital access to newspapers, magazines, audiobooks and e-books during the closure of Boston’s Sumner Tunnel. Also, CDPQ Infra announces the launch date for Réseau express métropolitain’s (REM) South Shore branch service; and Virginia Railway Express (VRE) selects Hill International, Inc., to provide consulting services for its capital improvement program.

NTSB photo

NTSB: Short Circuit Probable Cause of MBTA Passenger Fatality

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) recently determined that the probable cause of an April 10, 2022, Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) passenger fatality was a short circuit in the passenger door

MBTA has issued a 29-page Service Delivery Report, with information on ridership, span of service, service coverage, accessibility, reliability, operated service, rider comfort and paratransit standards. (CRRC Image)

Transit Briefs: MBTA, NJ Transit, Rail Online, SEPTA

Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) releases second-annual Service Delivery Report. Also, New Jersey Transit launches the “Know Your ABCs” travel planning campaign; a new online ticketing platform is offering travelers access to U.S., Canada, U.K. and European rail bookings; and Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) boosts Regional Rail capacity after the I-95 collapse in Philadelphia and debuts a new website for the Office of Inspector General.

Jeamy Molina, incoming Chief Communications Officer, DART (left); Douglas M. McGarrah, General Counsel, MassDOT, MBTA

People News: DART, MBTA/MassDOT

Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) appoints Jeamy Molina as Chief Communications Officer. Douglas M. McGarrah joins the Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) and Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) as General Counsel.

Photo Courtesy of STM, City of Montrea

Transit Briefs: STM, Tri-Rail, Keolis, NYMTA, TriMet

The Société de transport de Montréal (STM), along with the City of Montreal and the Montreal police (SPVM), launches campaign calling on witnesses to help prevent harassment in public spaces. Also, south Florida’s Tri-Rail commuter railroad’s estimated downtown Miami service start date gets pushed back; Massachusetts lawmakers urge Gov. Maura Healey to start preparations for Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority’s (MBTA) next Commuter Rail operations contract; the New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) completes renovation at Kings Highway F Station; and a partnership between TriMet and Multnomah County breathes new life into an underused park & ride in Gresham, Oreg.

MBTA Approves $2.7B FY24 Budget

The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) Board of Directors on June 8 voted to approve a $2.7 billion operating budget for Fiscal Year 2024 (FY24) that “will sustain levels of service while making strategic investments in safety, staffing and hiring, key capital investments, including station and accessibility needs, and design work required for a future connection of the Red and Blue lines,” according to the agency.

Maryland DOT MTA has reached an agreement with the Amalgamated Transit Union Local 1300 to decrease the amount of time it takes for rail and bus operators to achieve higher pay rates and ultimately advance to the top rate for their jobs.

Transit Briefs: Maryland DOT MTA, MBTA, NYMTA, OCTA, WMATA

The Maryland Department of Transportation Maryland Transit Administration (Maryland DOT MTA) updates its rail and bus operator pay structure to boost recruitment. Also, Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) submits a revised track worker safety plan to the Federal Transit Administration (FTA); New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) will test safety doors on subway platforms; Orange County (Calif.) Transportation Authority (OCTA) unveils a $57.3 billion long-range transportation plan; and Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) launches income-qualified reduced fare program.

Commentary

FTA Rejects MBTA Safety Improvement Plan

Whether actual or fictitious, Bostonians have had problems with their transit, and it appears those will continue, at least for a while longer. The Federal Transit Administration has ordered the MBTA (Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority) to revise a safety plan, this time for track workers, which will further delay the repairs that will be needed to return service to normal.

Gabrielle (Farrell) Mondestin, Chief Communications Officer, MBTA (left); and Liz Justison, Transportation West Operating Group President, STV.

People News: MBTA, STV

The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) names Gabrielle (Farrell) Mondestin to the newly created position of Chief Communications Officer. Also, Liz Justison joins STV as the Transportation West Operating Group President.

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