Commentary

End of an Era at NJ Transit

In a sense, New Jersey Transit will never be the same after the end of February. That’s when Joyce J. Zuczek, Secretary to the agency’s Board of Directors, will retire after more than 45 years’ service at NJT and its predecessor, the Commuter Operating Agency (COA) within the New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT).

Now Online: Railway Age February 2022 Digital Edition

The February 2022 issue of Railway Age is now available digitally, featuring deep dives into this year’s federal policy direction and New Jersey Transit operations—plus a showcase of our 25 “Fast Tracker” Under 40 Honorees.

Transit Tech Providers Sought for COVID-19, Environmental Sustainability Challenges

The New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) and the Transit Innovation Partnership have launched “COVID-19 Recovery” and “Environmental Sustainability” challenges for early- to growth-stage technology companies; applications are due March 25 for a chance to pilot products at MTA, New Jersey Transit, Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, and New York City Department of Transportation.

An ACS64-led Amtrak Northeast Regional train prepares to depart Penn Station New York, bound for Washington, D.C. William C. Vantuono photo

FTA Increases Hudson Tunnel Project Rating to ‘Medium-High’

The Federal Transportation Administration (FTA) on Jan. 20 announced new ratings for six projects seeking funding from the Capital Investment Grants (CIG) program—one was for the Hudson Tunnel Project and the others for Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) projects.

Railway Age’s 2022 ‘Fast Trackers’ 25 Under 40 Honorees

Railway Age is pleased to announce the 25 “Fast Trackers” selected for this year’s 25 Under 40 awards program.

“This critical help from Congress is the reason we were able to keep most of our service running for essential trips during the pandemic and all of our workers employed,” LACMTA CEO Stephanie N. Wiggins said.

CTDOT, LACMTA, NJT, NYMTA: $9.4B in Grants for COVID-19 Response

The Federal Transit Administration is awarding American Rescue Plan (ARP) Act of 2021 grants for COVID-19 response to the Connecticut Department of Transportation (CTDOT, $332.5 million); Los Angeles Metropolitan Transportation Authority (LACMTA, $1.24 billion); New Jersey Transit (NJT, $1.6 billion); and New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority (NYMTA, $6.2 billion).

Parsons Lands NJT Penn Station Newark Revitalization Contract

New Jersey Transit has awarded a Phase One, $9.2 million contract to a consortium of Parsons Transportation Group, Grimshaw Architects and Steer Group to lead the Master Planning and Design portion of the $190 million Newark Penn Station Revitalization project.

Amtrak Releases FY2021 Results

For its 50th anniversary fiscal year (Oct. 2020-Sept. 2021), Amtrak provided 12.2 million passenger trips, representing a growth of 4 million over the 2020 rate and a 42% rise over its FY21 goal, the railroad reported on Dec. 13.

Commentary

Biden Administration Sides With Labor, Throwing California Transit Grants (and Riders) Under the Bus

In what has become a contest between two groups who strongly back Democrats, the Biden Administration has come out for labor by refusing to certify grants that would help California’s transit providers and, eventually, the state’s riders. The decision by the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) could eventually affect transit projects in other transit-rich states that are facing financial woes due to the pandemic.

Finally! Hudson Tunnel Project Green-Lighted for Construction

Now all that is left is the money.

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