MTA NYCT

This photograph from another Metrolinx project shows the tunneling method that will be used on the eastern underground portion of the Eglinton Crosstown West Extension. (Caption and Photograph Courtesy of Metrolinx)

Transit Briefs: Metrolinx, NYCT, San Diego MTS

Metrolinx awards a second tunneling contract for the Eglinton Crosstown West Extension. Also, all 472 MTA New York City Transit (NYCT) subway stations will be upgraded to LED lighting; and San Diego (Calif.) Metropolitan Transit System (MTS) breaks ground on a new transit-oriented development project.

Rendering Courtesy of British Columbia, via Flickr.

Transit Briefs: TransLink, Calgary Transit, CDOT, PANYNJ, NYMTA

Eight new station names are announced for TransLink’s Surrey Langley SkyTrain extension. Also, a section of Calgary Transit’s LRT Red Line reopens following a nine-day closure; the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) explores the market for passenger train cars and locomotives; the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey (PANYNJ) installs five new test turnstiles for a new fare payment system; and the New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) announces the installation of wide-aisle fare gates and a new customer service center at Sutphin Boulevard-Archer Avenue-JFK Airport Station.

Trinity Metro will continue TEXRail commuter service south to one new station. (Photograph Courtesy of Trinity Metro)

Transit Briefs: Trinity Metro, Midcoast Railservice, NYCT, Keolis

Trinity Metro selects a final design consultant for its $167 million commuter rail extension project in Fort Worth, Tex. Also, Midcoast Railservice debuts Rockland-to-Brunswick, Maine, rail excursions; off-peak headways on MTA New York City Transit’s C Line are decreasing by 20%; and Keolis Commuter Services (Keolis) provides $25,000 in scholarships to Massachusetts students.

A new Amtrak OIG report finds that Amtrak “faces challenges with the systems and processes it uses to track and manage costs for capital projects, which hinder project teams from identifying emerging cost overruns.” (Photograph Courtesy of Amtrak OIG, via Twitter)

Transit Briefs: Amtrak OIG, FTA, NYMTA

“Amtrak is strengthening its project cost management, but can better organize costs and improve guidance,” according to the latest Amtrak Office of Inspector General (OIG) report. Also, the San Diego Association of Governments (SANDAG), Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) and Cincinnati Connector Streetcar will receive funding through the Federal Transit Administration’s (FTA) Areas of Persistent Poverty Program; and New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) will increase subway fares and implement recommendations of the Blue-Ribbon Panel Report on Fare and Toll Evasion.

New York MTA Chair and CEO Janno Lieber, NYCT President Richard Davey and MTA acting Chief Customer Officer Shanifah Rieara recognized Bronx resident Sasha Salazar as the one-billionth subway rider of 2022 on Dec. 27. (Marc A. Hermann / MTA)

Transit Briefs: NYCT, UTA

MTA New York City Transit’s (NYCT) subway service surpasses one billion riders in 2022. Also, the Utah Transit Authority (UTA) Board of Trustees approves the 2030 Strategic Plan.

First Look: NYCT Unveils R211s

MTA New York City Transit (NYCT) has taken delivery of the first five of 535 Kawasaki R211 rapid transit cars; they will begin qualification testing in the coming weeks.