Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority

MARTA photo

Transit Briefs: MARTA, Minn. Met Council, Brightline/FEC, HRT, SEPTA, Sound Transit, TRE

The Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA) contracts INIT to implement a new fare collection system in time for the FIFA World Cup. Also, Minnesota’s Metropolitan Council transit ridership grows 16%; Brightline and Florida East Coast Railway (FEC) horns will continue in Indian River as County Commission nixes quiet zones; Hampton Roads Transit (HRT) receives Direct Technical Assistance (DTA) from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA); the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) receives $317 million for new Market-Frankford Line cars; Sound Transit’s new app is now available for download; and Trinity Rail Express (TRE) is now making stops at a new station in Fort Worth, Texas.

Trevor Collon, Capital Development Chief, Valley Metro.
  • News

People News: Burns Engineering, MARTA, Valley Metro

Burns Engineering announces promotions for Senior Vice President Tony Koltuv, PMP; Vice President Clay Payne, PE; and Vice President Ryan Breier. Also, the Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA) adds experienced government relations professionals to Office of External Affairs; and Valley Metro names new Capital Development Chief.

San Joaquin Regional Rail Commission has closed escrow on land for a new ACE station in Elk Grove, Calif., as part of its Valley Rail program to expand regional/commuter service to Sacramento. (ACE Photograph)

Transit Briefs: ACE, MBTA, Metro Transit, MARTA, Amtrak/NJT/WMATA

Altamont Corridor Express (ACE) regional/commuter rail service advances extension project to Elk Grove, Calif. Also, Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey discusses Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) investments in her budget proposal; Connecticut Gov. Ned Lamont’s proposed budget includes full funding for the MTA Metro-North Railroad’s New Haven Line; ridership climbs at Metro Transit in Minneapolis/St. Paul, Minn.; Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA) earns a 2024 AdWheel award from the American Public Transportation Association (APTA); and Amtrak, New Jersey Transit (NJT), and Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) are awarded Forbes Best Large Employer status.

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

Concrete materials and retired MARTA railcars are placed at Artificial Reef L about 23 nautical miles east of Ossabaw Island on Thursday, Dec. 21, 2023.

Transit Briefs: Amtrak, MARTA, Maryland DOT MTA, Metrolinx

Amtrak earns the top score on the Human Rights Campaign Foundation’s 2023-2024 Corporate Equality Index (CEI). Also, the Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA) deploys railcars into the Atlantic Ocean; the Maryland Department of Transportation Maryland Transit Administration (Maryland DOT MTA) completes the feasibility study for the North-South Transit Corridor; and Metrolinx selects AECOM as its delivery partner for the Eglinton Crosstown West Extension project.

With service expected to launch early next year, Phoenix Valley Metro’s 1.6-mile Northwest Extension Phase II project is now in the testing phase. (Phoenix Valley Metro Photograph)

Transit Briefs: CTA, MARTA, Phoenix Valley Metro, SacRT, Tri-Rail, TTC

Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) is developing a chatbot for customer assistance on its website. Also, Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA) advances its Five Points Station Transformation Project; Phoenix Valley Metro readies for the Northwest Extension Phase II project’s 2024 launch; the first of Sacramento (Calif.) Regional Transit District’s (SacRT) new Siemens Mobility SD700s enter the final testing phase; Tri-Rail’s commuter rail ridership recovery continues in Florida; and Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) awards a radio communications coverage contract for a subway system pilot project.

A preliminary design and environmental study will be completed this year on bringing Amtrak service to the Warwick/T.F. Green Airport Station (pictured) in Rhode Island, which is currently served by the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority. (City of Warwick Photograph)

Transit Briefs: Amtrak, HART, Kansas City Streetcar, MARTA

Will Amtrak stop at Warwick, R.I.? Also, the Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation (HART) Board approves a new financing agreement for Skyline; the price tag for Kansas City Streetcar’s riverfront extension has gone up 75%; and Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA) breaks ground on a new transit-oriented development project in DeKalb County, Ga.

MARTA has received $1.75 million from the U.S. Department of Transportation to stand up a transit and TOD “accelerator” that it says will “close capital funding gaps for projects across the region.”

Transit Briefs: MARTA, SunRail, TTC, WMATA

Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA) secures $1.75 million to form a regional transit and transit-oriented development (TOD) accelerator. Also, Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) provides new details on SunRail’s proposed extension; Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) restores streetcar service to Humber Loop; and Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) opens a new Integrated Command and Communications Center.

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.

Brightline enters a multi-year agreement with Orlando Health to be the official “health and wellness partner” of Brightline Orlando as well as station naming partner. (Brightline Photograph)

Transit Briefs: Brightline, MARTA, SMART-TD, APTA

Brightline partners with Orlando Health ahead of its Sept. 22 Miami-to-Orlando service launch. Also, the Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA) Board approves a new contract for General Manager and CEO Collie Greenwood; the Transportation Division (TD) of SMART, the International Association of Sheet Metal, Air, Rail and Transportation Workers, forms a new committee to address assaults on bus and transit operators; and the American Public Transportation Association (APTA) hosts the 2023 Congressional Fly-In.

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