Forbes has recognized Amtrak as one of 500 “Best Large Employers” in America for 2023. (Photograph Courtesy of Amtrak)

Transit Briefs: Amtrak, BART, Brightline, Metra, NCTD, TransLink

Amtrak earns a spot on the Forbes 2023 list of America’s Best Large Employers. Also, San Francisco Bay Area Rapid Transit District (BART) launches a domestic violence prevention campaign; Brightline targets the opening of its Orlando, Fla., passenger rail extension, and plans three wildlife overcrossings for its Los Vegas-to-Southern California high-speed rail project; Metra’s Board signs off on the Chicago commuter railroad’s 2023-27 strategic plan; North County Transit District (NCTD) launches pilot fare products to meet the needs of San Diego County’s hybrid workforce; and members of the metro Vancouver community can scrap their cars for 16 months of free transit.

Legislation has been filed in Massachusetts that would require MBTA and its commuter rail contractor to operate a fully electric system in the commonwealth by Dec. 31, 2035.

Transit Briefs: MBTA, MTC, NCTD, NYCT

Massachusetts legislator eyes electrification for MBTA commuter rail service. Also, the Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC) of San Francisco, Calif., hosts roundtable on Asian transit rider safety; California’s North County Transit District (NCTD) Board signs agreements for transit-oriented development projects in Carlsbad; and a flood mitigation and storm resiliency project at MTA New York City Transit’s (NYCT) 155th Street/Frederick Douglass Boulevard station receives award.

Photo: Xnatedawgx via Wikipedia

NCTD Secures $7MM for Sprinter Improvements

The North County Transit District (NCTD) on Dec. 23 announced the appropriation of $7 million in Fiscal Year (FY) 2023 Community Project Funding for its Sprinter Corridor Service Improvement Project.

The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey’s proposed $8.3 billion capital and operating budget for 2023 includes funds to implement a new fare collection system and boost capacity for PATH. (Wikipedia/Trevor Logan photo)

Transit Briefs: Amtrak, NCTD, PANY/NJ

Amtrak is resuming Adirondack service in 2023 and temporarily suspending Carl Sandburg and Illinois Zephyr trains 380 and 381. Also, the North County (Calif.) Transit District (NCTD) will sell naming rights for stations, regional/commuter rail trains, and buses; and the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey (PANY/NJ), which includes PATH (Port Authority Trans-Hudson) rapid transit, has released an $8.3 billion capital and operating budget proposal for 2023.

Pictured: Stadler low-floor FLIRT DMU train testing is being conducted along the nine-mile Arrow passenger rail corridor, linking the San Bernardino Transit Center and the University of Redlands in California. (Courtesy of SBCTA)

Transit Briefs: SBCTA, Amtrak, MBTA, NCTD

San Bernardino County (Calif.) Transportation Authority (SBCTA) reports that train testing continues along the nine-mile Arrow passenger rail corridor, which is slated for launch this fall. Also, Amtrak late last month celebrated the completion of ADA-related improvement projects at two Kansas stations; the Federal Transit Administration ordered Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) to conduct “an immediate safety standdown,” starting July 30; and North County (Calif.) Transit District has earned a financial reporting award.

Under the new model, NCTD, will assume rail equipment maintenance and train operations.

NCTD Completes Rail Equipment Maintenance and Train Operations Insourcing

The North County Transit District (NCTD), a Surface Transportation Board (STB) designated rail common carrier, announced on June 27 the completion of insourcing of its rail equipment maintenance and train operations functions,

Starting July 29, Amtrak’s Ethan Allen Express will extend north to serve Middlebury, Vergennes and Burlington, Vt. (Amtrak/Steve Ostrowski)

Transit Briefs: Amtrak, Stantec/HART, Metrolink, New York MTA, San Diego MTS/NCTD

The Vermont Agency of Transportation (AOT) has reported that Amtrak’s Ethan Allen Express will begin service to Burlington, Vt., next month. Also, Stantec has landed a contract extension for work on Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation’s (HART) light rail project; Southern California’s Metrolink is rolling out the next phase of its Earthquake Early Warning System; New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) has launched an online trip planner for riders considering new Grand Central Madison commutes; and a new San Diego Metropolitan Transit System (MTS) and North County Transit District (NCTD) program will offer free transit passes for young adults transitioning out of foster care.

The 12 Siemens DMUs entered revenue service on March 9, 2008 when NCTD’s 22-mile, 15-station Sprinter hybrid rail launched, connecting Oceanside, Vista, San Marcos and Escondido.

NCTD Taps Siemens for Sprinter DMU Support Contract

California’s North County Transit District (NCTD) has awarded a 12-year, $80 million Technical Support Spares Supply Agreement contract to Siemens Mobility for its 12 Sprinter Diesel Multiple Units (DMU).

NCTD is partnering with Lyft, Uber and TripShot on a pilot to provide discounted first and last mile connections for riders using the Sorrento Valley and Carlsbad Poinsettia COASTER stations.

Transit Briefs: LACMTA, NCTD, TTC

Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (LACMTA) now includes canceled rail and bus trips on its transit app. Also, California’s North County Transit District (NCTD) is launching a first-mile, last-mile pilot program for COASTER regional/commuter rail riders; and Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) at the end of 2021 fired 354 workers who did not comply with its mandatory COVID-19 vaccination policy.

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.

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