METRORail marks 20 years of light rail service in Houston, Tex. (METRO)

Transit Briefs: Amtrak, Houston METRORail, MARTA, MTA (Maryland)

Amtrak seeks feedback on Chicago Union Station concourse improvements. Also, Houston (Tex.) METRORail marks 20 years of light rail service; Federal Transit Administration (FTA) completes its triennial review of Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA); and Maryland Transit Administration’s (MTA) Chief Administrative Officer earns the WTS Rosa Parks Diversity Leadership Award.

TCMC Stations(Heather Poltrock

Transit Briefs: Sound Transit, Amtrak, SCVTA

Sound Transit moves forward on the purchase of 10 more Link cars. Also, Amtrak service from St. Paul, Minn., to Chicago, Ill., reaches the final design phase; and Sant Clara Valley Transportation Authority (SCVTA) vehicles are taking the place of Reading, Pennsylvania, B&O and Short Line on the new Monopoly San Jose Edition.

Amtrak and Vornado Realty Trust on Nov. 19 marked the completion of the 7th Avenue and 32nd Street entrance project at New York Penn Station. The station’s busiest entrance has been fully rebuilt, with its width expanded by 50%. (Photo Credit: Fernando Sandoval/MW)

Transit Briefs: Amtrak, Metra, NCDOT, SCVTA, Sound Transit

Amtrak and Vornado Realty Trust transform the 7th Avenue and 32nd Street entrance of New York Penn Station. Also, Chicago’s Metra commuter railroad debuts its holiday trains; North Carolina’s Carolinian and Piedmont intercity passenger rail services experience record-breaking ridership; a new site designation will promote Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority’s (SCVTA) transit-oriented communities; and Seattle’s Sound Transit is testing an accessibility app to improve wayfinding for riders with vision disabilities.

Approved: Metra’s $1B Operating Budget

The Metra Board on Nov. 10 approved a $1.1 billion operating budget for 2024 that includes a major revision to its fare structure and a new mix of fare products, as well as a $574.9 million capital budget that “continues significant investment in railcars, bridges and stations.” The proposals were unveiled last month.

(Shutterstock/ narai chal)

2023 Women in Rail: Innovating, Inspiring

RAILWAY AGE, NOVEMBER 2023 ISSUE: Since 2017, Railway Age has celebrated women leaders who break down barriers and create opportunities for the next generation. This year, 23 honorees and five honorable mentions were selected from more than 100 Women in Rail awards candidates by judges Barbara Wilson and KellyAnne Gallagher, with input from the Railway Age staff. These visionaries from all levels of North American railroading are not only excelling in their respective fields, but also making an impact in the historically male-dominated freight, transit and supply sectors; supporting and inspiring more women to join the industry; and serving their communities. Congratulations to these women whose accomplishments are presented here.

Metra: $169.3MM CMAQ Grant for BEMUs

Metra announced Oct. 17 that it will receive a $169.3 million federal Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Improvement (CMAQ) grant to purchase BEMUs (battery-electric multiple-unit) zero-emission trainsets, making the agency one of the first in the nation to operate such equipment.

CPKC (William C. Vantuono Photograph)

CPKC Releases First Merger Oversight Report

In accordance with the Surface Transportation Board’s (STB) Oversight Decision No. 1, Canadian Pacific Kansas City (CPKC) on Oct. 15 provided its initial data submission related to service, operations and competition—a requirement

Shutterstock/Manop Boonpeng

Railway Age Announces 2023 Women in Rail Honorees

Railway Age’s 2023 Women in Rail awards program recognizes 23 women who not only excel at leadership but also serve the community and drive industry change, paving the way for the next generation of railroaders.

Women in Rail: Today's Human Resources

‘Women in Rail’: Top HR Execs, Recruiters to Tackle Career Development

The 2023 Railway Age / RT&S Women in Rail event, to be held Nov. 2 in Chicago, will feature a panel of human resources and recruitment executives discussing changes in freight and passenger rail recruitment,

‘Women in Rail’: Ramirez, Moreno, Schrampfer to Address ERGs

The 2023 Railway Age / RT&S Women in Rail event, to be held Nov. 2 in Chicago, will feature a panel of corporate diversity leaders discussing the importance of Employee Resource Groups

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