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.

Metro-North's new timetables took effect July 10, adding six express trains on the New Haven Line.

Passenger Rail Briefs: Metro-North, NJ Transit, Metro Transit

Metro-North Railroad (Metro-North) adds express trains to New Haven Line and increases Waterbury Branch service by 47%. Also, NJ Transit workers sue over abusive riders and Metro Transit rolls out Safety and

Beckwith Named Metro Transit Blue Line Extension Project Director

Metro Transit (Minneapolis) announced on July 8 that Christine Beckwith has been named the Project Director for the Blue Line Extension Project. With more than 20 years of experience in transit and

Amtrak's Westerly, Rhode Island Station. (Photo by Marc Glucksman/River Rail Photo; Courtesy of Amtrak)

Passenger Rail Briefs: Amtrak, SRPRA, Metro Transit, NJ Transit, LA Metro

Amtrak and the Rhode Island Department of Transportation (RIDOT) partner to improve accessibility at Westerly Station in Rhode Island. Also, the Schuylkill River Passenger Authority (SRPRA) in Reading, Pa., held its first

Charles Stewart, Executive Director, St. Louis (Mo.) Metro Transit

Stewart to Lead St. Louis Metro Transit

Charles Stewart has been appointed Executive Director of St. Louis (Mo.) Metro Transit. He has served as interim leader since Jan. 26, 2022.

Phoenix (Ariz.) Valley Metro incoming CEO Jessica Mefford-Miller

Mefford-Miller to Lead Phoenix Valley Metro

The Phoenix (Ariz.) Valley Metro Board has appointed Jessica Mefford-Miller as CEO, effective April 4. She succeeds Scott Smith, who in August 2021 informed the Board of his intent to retire in 2022.

Pictured (left to right): Steffanie Vagnozzi, Executive Recruiter, Edna A. Rice Executive Recruiters; Michael L. Anzallo, Police Chief, Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority; Brian Funk, Deputy General Manager-Chief Operating Officer, Metro Transit (Minneapolis).

People News: Edna A. Rice; Metro Transit; WMATA

Steffanie Vagnozzi has joined the Edna A. Rice Executive Recruiters team. In addition, Brian Funk has assumed the role of Deputy General Manager-Chief Operating Officer at Metro Transit in Minneapolis and Michael L. Anzallo has assumed the role of Police Chief of the Metro Transit Police Department at Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority; both had served in the roles in an interim capacity.

Transit Briefs: NYMTA; St. Louis Metro Transit

At New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority, subway ridership is steadily climbing post-pandemic and two former Gov. Andrew Cuomo appointees are being forced out. In addition, behavioral health providers will ride St. Louis (Mo.) Metro Transit vehicles as part of a one-year pilot project.

Commentary

‘A Fancy Way to Get to a Twins Game’? Really?

Minnesota State Rep. Jon Koznick (R-Lakeville) apparently doesn’t think much of rail transit, much less understand its purpose. If he did, he wouldn’t be trying to deep-six the Minneapolis Northstar commuter rail system. I’ll try to be diplomatic here, but don’t expect too much.

Supply Side: Capitol Corridor, Metro Transit, VIA Rail Canada Improving Rider Services

Northern California’s Capitol Corridor Joint Powers Authority (CCJPA) expects to complete its next-generation Wi-Fi upgrade project by early December to improve the rider experience. Minneapolis-Saint Paul Metro Transit awarded two communications contracts to Collins Aerospace Systems for its $2.003 billion Southwest LRT project, which will expand Green Line service. As well, VIA Rail Canada is working with IT and business consulting services firm CGI on a reservation modernization project to better serve customers.

LOAD MORE