NJT Sets FY24 Ops, Capex Budgets

New Jersey Transit has set its Fiscal Year 2024 operating and capital funding budgets, which the agency said “continue investments in personnel, infrastructure and equipment to maintain the system in a state-of-good-repair

Transit Briefs: NJ Transit, Metra, MBTA, LA Metro, SMART, OC Transpo

NJ Transit signs lease for new headquarters. Also, Metra launches survey for 2024 fare structure proposal; the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) eliminates significant speed restriction in Orange Line Tunnel; LA Metro launches new fare capping policy on Cubic-powered TAP system and is honored with the 2023 Conference of Minority Transportation Officials (COMTO) Agency of the Year Award; Sonoma-Marin Area Rail Transit (SMART) reduces price of 31-day pass in response to hybrid work week; and OC Transpo announces that it does not have a firm timeline for when service will resume on its LRT Confederation Line following a shut down due to a bearing issue.

Aerial photo of a portion of West Broadway Avenue in north Minneapolis, the proposed route of the Blue Line light rail extension. (Met Council)

Transit Briefs: Minn. Met Council, NJ Transit, SEPTA, NTMTA, Calif. State Budget

The Minnesota Metropolitan (Met) Council’s Anti-Displacement Working Group makes recommendations on Blue Line Extension. Also, NJ Transit launches customer awareness campaign to promote kindness; the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) launches its Open Data Portal; the New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA)’s congestion pricing plan wins federal approval after comprehensive environmental review; and California Gov. Gavin Newsom and state lawmakers reach a deal on the 2023-2024 budget that includes $5.1 billion for transit capital funding.

The initial operating segment of Skyline—the Honolulu (Hawaii) Rail Project—comprises 10.75 miles of guideway and nine stations from East Kapolei to Hālawa Aloha Stadium. It opens June 30. (Pictured: Hālawa Aloha Stadium Skyline Station, Courtesy of City and County of Honolulu DTS.)

Transit Briefs: Honolulu DTS, NJ Transit, SCVTA, TransLink

The City and County of Honolulu Department of Transportation Services (DTS) reveals the official name of its soon-to-open rail system. Also, New Jersey Transit selects a commissioning agent for its Distributed Generation Program; Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (SCVTA) develops a resource program to support small businesses during BART Silicon Valley Phase II Extension Project construction; and metro Vancouver’s TransLink adds another trainset, including a newly refurbished locomotive, to West Coast Express commuter rail service.

BLET Forks $50K Over to NJT for ‘Illegal Job Action’

The BLET (Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen) has settled with New Jersey Transit for $50,000 over a June 19, 2022 “sickout” the agency says was an “illegal job action.” BLET National President Edward Hall said the union “does not condone unlawful strikes, slowdowns, or other such job actions by its affiliates.”

MBTA has issued a 29-page Service Delivery Report, with information on ridership, span of service, service coverage, accessibility, reliability, operated service, rider comfort and paratransit standards. (CRRC Image)

Transit Briefs: MBTA, NJ Transit, Rail Online, SEPTA

Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) releases second-annual Service Delivery Report. Also, New Jersey Transit launches the “Know Your ABCs” travel planning campaign; a new online ticketing platform is offering travelers access to U.S., Canada, U.K. and European rail bookings; and Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) boosts Regional Rail capacity after the I-95 collapse in Philadelphia and debuts a new website for the Office of Inspector General.

Transit Briefs: BART, OCTA, NJ Transit, NYMTA

Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) launches Phase II of its Not One More Girl initiative. Also, the Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA) invites high school students to apply for its Teen Council; NJ Transit begins website ticketing pilot program for Atlantic City Rail Line (ACRL); and the New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) reaches a tentative agreement with Transport Workers Union (TWU) Local 100.

The new Bramalea GO Station building opened in 2021. (Metrolinx photo)

Transit Briefs: APTA, Amtrak F+B Working Group, Arup, Metrolinx, NJ Transit/UITP/Rutgers CAIT

The American Public Transportation Association (APTA) “strongly urges” public transit agencies to obligate remaining COVID-19 funds as soon as possible. Also, the Amtrak Food & Beverage Working Group sends recommendations to Congress after year-long analysis of Amtrak onboard service; Arup supports Metrolinx plans to electrify Canada’s largest commuter rail network; construction is now complete at Metrolinx’s Bramalea GO Station; and registration is now open for first courses at the International Association of Public Transport’s (UITP) North American Regional Training Center hosted by NJ Transit and Rutgers Center for Advanced Infrastructure and Transportation (CAIT).

NJT, SEPTA, Metro-North at 40

RAILWAY AGE, APRIL 2023 ISSUE: Imagine going back 40 years to early 1983. The only passenger trains running along much of Amtrak’s Northeast Corridor (NEC) were operated by Amtrak itself. Otherwise, what

Transit Briefs: NYMTA, SEPTA, NJ Transit

The New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) announces record pandemic-era ridership on Metro-North Railroad and commits to slashing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions 85% by 2040. Also, the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) releases Request for Proposals (RFP) to develop next generation of SEPTA Key; and NJ Transit faces a nearly $1 billion deficit in 2026.

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