NJT

New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy on March 26 reported via social media: “Today I signed legislation investing billions into our transportation infrastructure for the next five years. This critical funding will help upgrade our roads and bridges, create thousands of good-paying union jobs, and help commuters across NJ get to where they need to go.” (Photograph Courtesy of Gov. Murphy via social media platform X, formerly Twitter)

New Jersey TTF Renewed Through 2029

New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy has signed legislation renewing the state’s Transportation Trust Fund (TTF) for five more years (July 1, 2024-June 30, 2029). It will invest billions to modernize and maintain infrastructure and provide additional capital funding for New Jersey Transit (NJT).

Pictured: Metro-North Railroad’s “Penn Central” heritage locomotive’s inaugural run. (MTA Metro-North Railroad Photograph)

Transit Briefs: DART, Metro-North, NJT, TriMet

Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) offers a sneak peek of its new LRV seats. Also, MTA Metro-North Railroad debuts its fourth heritage locomotive; New Jersey Transit (NJT) advances a mixed-use, multi-phase Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) project near Hoboken Terminal, where it is also working on resiliency upgrades; and Tri-County Metropolitan Transportation District of Oregon (TriMet) proposes a $1.75 billion budget for Fiscal Year (FY) 2025.

New York MTA officials were joined by “Equity in Infrastructure Project” (EIP) founders Phillip A. Washington and John D. Porcari, and Chicago Transit Authority President Dorval R. Carter, Jr., who also serves as EIP Chair, to sign the EIP pledge on March 7. (New York MTA Photograph).

Transit Briefs: NYMTA, SacRT, Metrolink, WMATA, NJT, Houston Metro

New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) signs the “Equity in Infrastructure Project” Pledge. Also, Sacramento Regional Transit District (SacRT) is developing mobility hubs at three light rail stations; Southern California’s Metrolink extends its fare-free pilot program for students; Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) marks improvements in ridership, customer satisfaction, public safety and fare collection while reducing expenses; New Jersey Transit (NJT) expands its partnership with Comcast Business; and Houston Metro (Metropolitan Transit Authority of Harris County, Tex.) selects Copperleaf to help improve asset management.

At New Jersey Transit, a commuter rail locomotive and two buses are specially wrapped to with graphics celebrating prominent African Americans and their contributions to American history. (Photograph Courtesy of NJT via Facebook)

Transit Briefs: NJT, NYMTA, SANDAG, TTC

New Jersey Transit (NJT) celebrates Black History Month with specially wrapped buses and commuter rail locomotive. Also, New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) advances its no-standing zone pilot program to protect subway conductors; San Diego Association of Governments (SANDAG) will reassess route options for the Airport Transit Connection project; and Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) says investments in new frontline staff are improving customer satisfaction and safety.

San Joaquin Regional Rail Commission has closed escrow on land for a new ACE station in Elk Grove, Calif., as part of its Valley Rail program to expand regional/commuter service to Sacramento. (ACE Photograph)

Transit Briefs: ACE, MBTA, Metro Transit, MARTA, Amtrak/NJT/WMATA

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.

Kansas City Streetcar welcomed the newest member of its fleet, No. 807, on Feb. 2. It is the first of eight cars that CAF USA will deliver this year to support two extension projects. (Screen Grab Courtesy of KC Streetcar, via Twitter)

Transit Briefs: KC Streetcar, NJT, AECOM

Kansas City Streetcar begins testing the first of eight new CAF USA-manufactured vehicles. Also, New Jersey Transit (NJT) will host the opening module of International Association of Public Transport’s (UITP) three-part global diploma course; and infrastructure consulting firm AECOM will help deliver numerous projects for U.S. transportation clients that have secured funding from the Federal Railroad Administration’s (FRA) Federal-State Partnership for Intercity Passenger Rail Grant Program.

“Americans cannot stop their lives because a disaster damages their transit systems,” FTA Administrator Nuria Fernandez said Feb. 5. “We know it is critical to fund recovery efforts for these systems, so they can keep taking Americans to work, school, doctors’ appointments, and other important destinations.”

FTA Awards $110MM in Emergency Relief (UPDATED 2/7)

New Jersey Transit (NJT), Tren Urbano, Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority (NFTA), and Hillsborough Area Regional Transit (HART) are among the eight public transportation providers and state Departments for Transportation (DOT) that will

Transit Tech Lab Releases Results for Human Capital, Operational Efficiency Challenges

The New York MTA/Partnership for New York City Transit Tech Lab on Jan. 22 released the results of its 2023 human capital and operational efficiency challenges. The 13 winners, including Humatics, TekTracking and Wi-Tronix, each completed proof-of-concept collaborations with area transit agencies, which aim to use their LiDAR (light detection and ranging), AI (artificial intelligence), and IoT (Internet of Things) technologies “to mitigate service disruptions, automate operations, and combat workforce shortages,” Transit Tech Lab reported.

BART crews have installed prototype fare gates at West Oakland Station to “protect against fare evasion, expand access to transit-dependent riders, and reduce system downtime due to maintenance.” (BART Photograph)

Transit Briefs: NJT, BART, SacRT

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.