Transit Briefs: WMATA, San Diego MTS/NCTD, PennDOT

The Washington Metrorail Safety Commission (WMSC) has audited Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority’s fitness for duty practices, finding 11 areas where improvement is needed. In addition, San Diego Metropolitan Transit System (MTS) and North County Transit District (NCTD) have officially launched the region’s new PRONTO fare collection system, and the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) is calling on students to participate in its fifth-annual Innovations Challenge.

Among CTC’s recently approved rail-related projects is a new San Diego Maintenance and Layover Facility for the maintenance, support and storage for Amtrak Pacific Surfliner trainsets.

CTC Approves 11 Rail-Related Infrastructure Projects

The California Transportation Commission (CTC) has allocated more than $1.4 billion for state projects to improve transportation infrastructure. Of that total, $67.78 million is for 11 rail-related efforts.

In response to rider requests, the NCTD Board of Directors approved two more weekday (Monday through Thursday) evening trips as well as additional weekend trips for COASTER starting in October.

Transit Briefs: NCTD, Sound Transit

California’s North County Transit District (NCTD) will boost COASTER regional/commuter rail service between Oceanside and downtown San Diego this October. Also, Sound Transit, the city of Shoreline and King Conservation District have partnered to “re-green” the Lynnwood Link light rail corridor under construction in Shoreline, Wash.

Commuter Rail Coalition San Diego Pathing Study With NCTD and BNSF: RAIL GROUP ON AIR

In this Rail Group On Air podcast, part of our series with the Commuter Rail Coalition, North County Transit District Executive Director and CEO Matt Tucker, BNSF Assistant Vice President Passenger Operations

On hand to celebrate the Feb. 8 rollout of new North County Transit District (NCTD) power and railcars were Tony Kranz, NCTD Board Chair and city of Encinitas Deputy Mayor (left); Catherine Blakespear, San Diego Association of Governments (SANDAG) Board Chair and city of Encinitas Mayor; and Rep. Mike Levin (D-Calif.).

NCTD Introduces New Power, Rehabbed Commuter Cars

California’s North County Transit District (NCTD) has launched five new Siemens Charger locomotives and several renovated Bombardier cars into COASTER regional/commuter rail service between Oceanside and downtown San Diego.

The $106.4 million LOSSAN-SD Intermodal Improvement Program is one of nine passenger and freight rail projects receiving support from the California Transportation Commission.

CTC Awards $392.4MM for 10 Freight, Passenger Rail Projects (Updated)

The California Transportation Commission (CTC) will distribute $392.4 million to 10 freight and passenger rail projects as part of its recent approval of $2 billion for 56 state projects that will reduce traffic, improve goods movement and increase transit service, among other measures.

The 351-mile Los Angeles – San Diego – San Luis Obispo (LOSSAN) rail corridor is the second busiest in the nation, moving about $1 billion in freight and more than 8 million Amtrak and regional/commuter rail (NCTD COASTER and Metrolink) riders in a typical year.

Blueprint Released for Passenger, Freight Service Growth in Southern California

California’s North County Transit District (NCTD) has announced the release of the San Diego Pathing Study, outlining how to phase expansion of passenger and freight rail services along the 351-mile Los Angeles – San Diego – San Luis Obispo (LOSSAN) rail corridor. The corridor is the second busiest in the nation, moving about $1 billion in freight and more than 8 million Amtrak and regional/commuter rail (NCTD COASTER and Metrolink) riders in a typical year.

Grants totaling $291 million will support 11 projects in nine states that will repair, replace or rehabilitate publicly owned or controlled railroad assets.

FRA’s SOGR Grant Awardees

The U.S. Department of Transportation (U.S. DOT) is distributing $291 million in grants among 11 projects under its FY 2020 Federal-State Partnership for State of Good Repair (SOGR) Program.

The two new units bring NCTD's order total to nine, completing its efforts to convert the current fleet to more efficient, lower-emission Tier-4 units.

NCTD: More Power on Order

California’s North County Transit District (NCTD) has ordered two additional Siemens Charger locomotives for its COASTER regional/commuter rail service.

NCTD Taps Siemens for Charger Service Contract

California’s North County Transit District (NCTD) has awarded Siemens Mobility a 20-year service and parts contract for its fleet of up to nine Siemens Charger locomotives. They power COASTER regional/commuter rail between Oceanside and San Diego.

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