NCTD

Forbes has recognized Amtrak as one of 500 “Best Large Employers” in America for 2023. (Photograph Courtesy of Amtrak)

Transit Briefs: Amtrak, BART, Brightline, Metra, NCTD, TransLink

Amtrak earns a spot on the Forbes 2023 list of America’s Best Large Employers. Also, San Francisco Bay Area Rapid Transit District (BART) launches a domestic violence prevention campaign; Brightline targets the opening of its Orlando, Fla., passenger rail extension, and plans three wildlife overcrossings for its Los Vegas-to-Southern California high-speed rail project; Metra’s Board signs off on the Chicago commuter railroad’s 2023-27 strategic plan; North County Transit District (NCTD) launches pilot fare products to meet the needs of San Diego County’s hybrid workforce; and members of the metro Vancouver community can scrap their cars for 16 months of free transit.

Los Angeles Gold Line Breda LRVs arrive at the Mission (Meriden Ave) station in Pasadena. (Joseph M. Calisi Photography©, All Rights Reserved)

So-Cal Rail Renaissance

PASSENGER RAIL FOCUS, RAILWAY AGE FEBRUARY 2023 ISSUE: Whoever thought that Southern California, which decades ago ripped up much of its extensive passenger rail network, would become a rail transit mecca? Agencies like Los Angeles Metro Rail, NCTD, Metrolink and Amtrak are returning the region to its glory days.

Legislation has been filed in Massachusetts that would require MBTA and its commuter rail contractor to operate a fully electric system in the commonwealth by Dec. 31, 2035.

Transit Briefs: MBTA, MTC, NCTD, NYCT

Massachusetts legislator eyes electrification for MBTA commuter rail service. Also, the Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC) of San Francisco, Calif., hosts roundtable on Asian transit rider safety; California’s North County Transit District (NCTD) Board signs agreements for transit-oriented development projects in Carlsbad; and a flood mitigation and storm resiliency project at MTA New York City Transit’s (NYCT) 155th Street/Frederick Douglass Boulevard station receives award.

The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey’s proposed $8.3 billion capital and operating budget for 2023 includes funds to implement a new fare collection system and boost capacity for PATH. (Wikipedia/Trevor Logan photo)
  • News

Transit Briefs: Amtrak, NCTD, PANY/NJ

Amtrak is resuming Adirondack service in 2023 and temporarily suspending Carl Sandburg and Illinois Zephyr trains 380 and 381. Also, the North County (Calif.) Transit District (NCTD) will sell naming rights for stations, regional/commuter rail trains, and buses; and the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey (PANY/NJ), which includes PATH (Port Authority Trans-Hudson) rapid transit, has released an $8.3 billion capital and operating budget proposal for 2023.

NCTD is partnering with Lyft, Uber and TripShot on a pilot to provide discounted first and last mile connections for riders using the Sorrento Valley and Carlsbad Poinsettia COASTER stations.

Transit Briefs: LACMTA, NCTD, TTC

Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (LACMTA) now includes canceled rail and bus trips on its transit app. Also, California’s North County Transit District (NCTD) is launching a first-mile, last-mile pilot program for COASTER regional/commuter rail riders; and Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) at the end of 2021 fired 354 workers who did not comply with its mandatory COVID-19 vaccination policy.

Transit Briefs: WMATA, San Diego MTS/NCTD, PennDOT

The Washington Metrorail Safety Commission (WMSC) has audited Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority’s fitness for duty practices, finding 11 areas where improvement is needed. In addition, San Diego Metropolitan Transit System (MTS) and North County Transit District (NCTD) have officially launched the region’s new PRONTO fare collection system, and the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) is calling on students to participate in its fifth-annual Innovations Challenge.

In response to rider requests, the NCTD Board of Directors approved two more weekday (Monday through Thursday) evening trips as well as additional weekend trips for COASTER starting in October.

Transit Briefs: NCTD, Sound Transit

California’s North County Transit District (NCTD) will boost COASTER regional/commuter rail service between Oceanside and downtown San Diego this October. Also, Sound Transit, the city of Shoreline and King Conservation District have partnered to “re-green” the Lynnwood Link light rail corridor under construction in Shoreline, Wash.

LOAD MORE