The House Transportation & Infrastructure (T&I) Committee, Rail Subcommittee held a hearing on April 17, “Getting to Work: Examining Challenges and Solutions in the Commuter Rail Industry,” hearing testimony from Northern Indiana
Ridership for NC By Train—North Carolina-supported Amtrak service—marks a milestone. Also, the New Jersey Transit (NJ Transit) Board approves a double-digit fare hike; and communications, electrical and signal workers at Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) will begin strike action on April 22 if a collective agreement is not reached.
Amtrak Northeast Corridor (NEC) trains transition to fixed forward and backward seating. Also, Gov. Phil Murphy’s $55.9 billion budget includes a plan for NJ Transit by taxing businesses; the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) Transit Police Department upgrades to CODY Systems’ cloud-based Public Safety Suite; and Brightline ranks No. 59 on Inc. Magazine’s list of the Southeast region’s fastest-growing private companies.
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.
The New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) launches OMNY on Hudson Rail Link, releases the results of the Fall 2023 Customers Count Survey, and receives approval to time delay emergency exits to fight fare evasion. Also, New Jersey state lawmakers advance a bill to establish an office representing customers’ interest following a proposed 15% fare hike by NJ Transit; and a new study predicts the significant economic impact of passenger rail in Ohio.
The Société de transport de Montréal (STM) deploys safety ambassadors on the métro network. Also, the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) proposes low-income fare program; federal funding is approved for the ongoing construction of Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation’s (HART) Skyline rail system; and NJ Transit reallocates federal funding to support critical resiliency projects.
The U.S. Senate confirms the nominations for three Amtrak Board members. Also, New Jersey Transit plans a systemwide fare increase, the first since 2015; and Tri-County Metropolitan Transportation District of Oregon (TriMet) proposes replacing late-night MAX light rail with buses and streamlining MAX stations in downtown Portland to speed service.
Buses of migrants bound for New York City have been stopping at New Jersey Transit (NJT) stations to avoid New York rules. Also, San Francisco Bay Area Rapid Transit District (BART) unveils prototype fare gates and boosts its “Clipper START” means-based fare discount; and Sacramento Regional Transit District (SacRT) eyes a Blue Line light rail and/or bus rapid transit extension from the city of Sacramento to the city of Elk Grove, supports Sacramento’s Truxel Bridge Concept and Feasibility Study, and lands a Caltrans Climate Adaptation Planning grant.
Denver Regional Transit District (RTD) on Jan. 1 will launch systemwide lower fares. Also, AECOM lands a design contract for New Jersey Transit’s New Brunswick commuter rail station; New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority (NYMTA) is pre-qualifying vendors for new subway system fare gates; and HNTB earns an award for the MTA Long Island Rail Road’s (LIRR) Jamaica Capacity Improvements (JCI) program, Phase 1–Platform F.
Metrolinx teams up with Canadian whisky brand Forty Creek to provide free rides on GO Transit and UP Express on New Year’s Eve. Meanwhile, NJ Transit’s systemwide beverage ban remains in effect, and the Federal Transit Authority (FTA) takes nationwide steps to address assaults on transit workers. Also, the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) kicks off a community engagement process to activate new spaces under new Red Line Tracks; the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency (SFMTA) introduces the first LRV4s with a new seating arrangement; Scarborough’s Rapid Transit (RT) trains could have a new home in Detroit; and NJ Transit sells a stuffed animal to support Ricardo the Bull.
