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.

Brightline on April 20 unveiled its Orlando International Airport Station. Tickets are now on sale for service starting this summer. (Brightline Photograph)

Transit Briefs: Brightline, MBTA, NYMTA

Brightline, Florida’s private-sector passenger railroad, launches ticket sales for its connection to Orlando. Also, Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority’s (MBTA) commuter rail ridership continues to grow; and New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) advances its station Re-NEW-Vation program.

$5.15 billion in “bridge funding” has been proposed in the California Senate for public transit agencies over the next five years. (InvadingInvader Wikimedia Commons)

Transit Briefs: CA Public Transit, MARTA, MBTA, Metrolinx, Miami-Dade County, San Diego MTS

California transit officials and their state legislative supporters are seeking $5.15 billion to maintain services over the next five years. Also, the Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA) celebrates College Park rail station improvements; a new study finds that flooding costs to Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) could more than double by 2030, to $58 million per year; Metrolinx unveils a new website for the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area’s GO Transit; Florida’s Miami-Dade County revives commuter rail plan; and the San Diego Metropolitan Transit System (MTS) approves a $174 million capital improvement program.

Patrick J. Lavin, incoming Chief Safety Officer, MassDOT

People News: MassDOT, NYMTA

Patrick J. Lavin has been named Chief Safety Officer for the Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT). H. Dale Hemmerdinger, Chairman of the New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) from 2007-09, died April

Rendering Courtesy of Brightline

Transit Briefs: Brightline West, RTD, Freedom to Move Act, Minn. Met Council

Brightline and the Nevada Department of Transportation (NDOT) apply to acquire $3.75 billion in Federal-State Partnership Program grant money to go toward construction of the $12 billion Brightline West high-speed rail system. Also, Regional Transportation District (RTD) announces that a Spanish version of its Transit Watch app is now available; Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley (MA-07) and Senator Edward J. Markey (D-MA) announce fare-free transit legislation, Freedom to Move Act; and Minnesota’s Metropolitan (Met) Council announces the creation of its new Transit Infrastructure Division.

https://massbytrain.com/go-green-with-purple/

Transit Briefs: MBTA, NCDOT, NYMTA

Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) and Commuter Rail operating partner Keolis launch the “Why Go Green with Purple Sweepstakes?” Also, North Carolina’s intercity passenger rail service breaks 2019 ridership record; and New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) temporarily loses the ability to post real-time subway, commuter rail and bus service alerts via Twitter, and may soon have to pay for that feature.

The FRA recently concluded a series of six working group meetings “to inform and collaborate” with stakeholders across the country on the department’s Amtrak Daily Long-Distance Service Study.

Transit Briefs: Amtrak/FRA, MBTA, SEPTA, Rogers

Common themes emerge from the Federal Railroad Administration’s (FRA) stakeholder meetings studying the restoration and expansion of Amtrak long-distance passenger rail services. Also, the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) purchases Widett Circle for a new commuter rail layover yard; Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) issues a proposed FY 2024 capital budget and 12-year program; and Rogers Communications plans to bring full 5G connectivity services to the Toronto Transit Commission’s (TTC) subway system.

Two Charged with Embezzling Keolis in Boston

Federal prosecutors have charged the former Assistant Chief Engineer of Facilities for Keolis Commuter Services in Boston and the former general manager of a Massachusetts-based electrical company in a scheme to defraud

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