North Carolina Department of Transportation

Amtrak and Vornado Realty Trust on Nov. 19 marked the completion of the 7th Avenue and 32nd Street entrance project at New York Penn Station. The station’s busiest entrance has been fully rebuilt, with its width expanded by 50%. (Photo Credit: Fernando Sandoval/MW)

Transit Briefs: Amtrak, Metra, NCDOT, SCVTA, Sound Transit

Amtrak and Vornado Realty Trust transform the 7th Avenue and 32nd Street entrance of New York Penn Station. Also, Chicago’s Metra commuter railroad debuts its holiday trains; North Carolina’s Carolinian and Piedmont intercity passenger rail services experience record-breaking ridership; a new site designation will promote Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority’s (SCVTA) transit-oriented communities; and Seattle’s Sound Transit is testing an accessibility app to improve wayfinding for riders with vision disabilities.

NYMTA Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer Lourdes Zapata
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People News: MTA, NYMTA, NCDOT, AECOM

The Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT) Maryland Transit Administration (MTA) announces Red Line project leadership team and additions to Purple Line team. Also, the New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority (NYMTA) appoints Lourdes Zapata as Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer; Gov. Roy Cooper names Joseph R. “Joey” Hopkins as Secretary of North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT); and AECOM appoints Richard Barrett as Regional Chief Executive of its Canada business.

Amtrak photo

Transit Briefs: Amtrak, SEPTA/Amtrak, LA Metro, NCDOT, DART, SCCRTC

Forbes names Amtrak one of America’s Best Employers for Women. Also, the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) and Amtrak plan to reconnect their stations at 30th Street; LA Metro’s GoPass pilot program is eligible for 1.3 million students; North Carolina Department of Transportation’s (NCDOT) new study explores the development along the S-Line rail corridor; downtown Dallas subway “D2” is no longer part of Dallas Area Rapid Transit’s (DART) long-term plans; and the Santa Cruz County Regional Transportation Commission (SCCRTC) orders a study for its Zero Emission Passenger Rail and Trail Project.

NC By Train photo

Transit Briefs: Amtrak/NC By Train, NYMTA, VIA Rail, The City of Calgary, SBCTA/LA Metro

Amtrak and NC By Train announce that the Piedmont and Carolinian will now offer five daily roundtrips between Raleigh, Charlotte, and points in between. Also, the New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) announces a new customer real-time email and text alert system; VIA Rail Canada (VIA Rail) breaks ground on construction of Toronto Maintenance Center; The City of Calgary announces that it will undertake a new Calgary Airport Connection Study; and the San Bernardino County Transportation Authority (SBCTA) and LA Metro will study expanding rail frequency from Redlands to LA Union Station.

UITP President Renée Amilcar (left; courtesy of UITP, via Twitter); and former CATS General Manager of Rail Operations Deltrin Harris (right).
  • News

People News: UITP, CATS

The International Association of Public Transport (UITP) elects OC Transpo’s Renée Amilcar as President for 2023-2025. Also, the Charlotte Area Transit System (CATS) fires General Manager of Rail Operations Deltrin Harris.

https://massbytrain.com/go-green-with-purple/

Transit Briefs: MBTA, NCDOT, NYMTA

Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) and Commuter Rail operating partner Keolis launch the “Why Go Green with Purple Sweepstakes?” Also, North Carolina’s intercity passenger rail service breaks 2019 ridership record; and New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) temporarily loses the ability to post real-time subway, commuter rail and bus service alerts via Twitter, and may soon have to pay for that feature.

KC Streetcar operates a 2.2-mile route along Main Street in downtown Kansas City, Mo., with 16 stops served by six streetcars. Due to increased ridership, weeknight service hours will be extended starting Jan. 21. (Photograph: William C. Vantuono)

Transit Briefs: KC Streetcar, LACMTA, Metra, NCDOT, WMATA

Responding to increased ridership, KC Streetcar in Missouri extends weeknight service hours. Also, Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (LACMTA) holds community open houses for the Sepulveda Transit Corridor Project; North Carolina’s intercity passenger rail service breaks annual ridership record; Chicago’s Metra highlights record-breaking year for competitive federal grant funding; and Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) offers college students a new mobile fare collection option, U-Pass SmarTrip®.

“Our new fare capping policy will save our customers money and ensure that no one overpays,” LACMTA CEO Stephanie Wiggins said on Dec. 2. (LACMTA Photo, Via Twitter)

Transit Briefs: LACMTA, NCDOT/Amtrak, OLI, VTA

The Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (LACMTA) Board approves a new fare policy. Also, the North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) completes the first phase of construction for a new Amtrak station in Charlotte; Operation Lifesaver, Inc. (OLI) awards more than $140,000 in grants to eight transit agencies in six states; and Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) receives authority to pursue federal funding for up to 50% of the cost of Phase II of the BART Silicon Valley Extension Project.

The NCDOT, Union County and CSX held a groundbreaking last month for a project in Waxhaw, N.C., that includes siding and bridge construction as well as an at-grade crossing closure.

Class I Briefs: CN, CSX

The North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT), CSX and Union County, N.C., have launched a rail safety improvement project in Waxhaw. Also, CN hosted a groundbreaking ceremony for the Conneaut Creek Dredge Reclamation Facility in Ohio.

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