NYCT

Trinity Metro will continue TEXRail commuter service south to one new station. (Photograph Courtesy of Trinity Metro)

Transit Briefs: Trinity Metro, Midcoast Railservice, NYCT, Keolis

Trinity Metro selects a final design consultant for its $167 million commuter rail extension project in Fort Worth, Tex. Also, Midcoast Railservice debuts Rockland-to-Brunswick, Maine, rail excursions; off-peak headways on MTA New York City Transit’s C Line are decreasing by 20%; and Keolis Commuter Services (Keolis) provides $25,000 in scholarships to Massachusetts students.

Amtrak’s Adirondack service between New York City and Montreal will resume April 3. It had been suspended for three years due to the pandemic.

Transit Briefs: Amtrak, CATS, MBTA, Metrolinx, NYCT, TransLink

Amtrak, the New York State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT) and VIA Rail Canada are fully restoring Adirondack service. Also, a Charlotte Area Transit System (CATS) derailment report raises light rail vehicle safety concerns; Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) lifts Green Line speed restrictions; Metrolinx, the Greater Toronto Hamilton Area transit authority, launches the #GOTransitReads by Legible Book Club; MTA New York City Transit (NYCT) logs more “Station Re-NEW-vation Program” work; and the government of British Columbia provides C$479 million in emergency funding for metro Vancouver’s TransLink.

NYCT Unveils R211

MTA New York City Transit (NYCT) on Feb. 3 showcased one of the two R211 open gangway subway cars that are currently undergoing testing at the Coney Island Yard in Brooklyn.

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.

Brightline is teaming with Uber to help get passenger rail riders to and from all five of its South Florida stations (Miami, Aventura, Fort Lauderdale, Boca Raton and West Palm Beach).

Transit Briefs: Brightline, CTA, NYMTA, VRE, VTA

Brightline, Florida’s private-sector passenger railroad, partners with Uber. Also, Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) awards a four-year property maintenance contract as part of its Red Line Extension project; New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) selects Skanska to improve passenger circulation at Grand Central-42nd Street Station; Virginia Railway Express (VRE) seeks approval for Fiscal Year 2024 operating and capital budget; and Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) provides free Transit app upgrade to all riders.

Brightline’s two new South Florida stations—Boca Raton and Adventura—will launch Dec. 21. (Pictured, Adventura Station during a November “sneak peak.”)

Transit Briefs: Brightline, LACMTA, MARTA, MBTA, NYMTA, SEPTA

On Dec. 21, two new stations will open for Brightline, Florida’s private-sector passenger railroad. Also, Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (LACMTA) celebrates its inaugural Youth Council; the first of the brand-new Stadler-built rapid transit car bodies arrive at Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA); Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) eyes Widett Circle property for a new Commuter Rail layover yard; New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) recognizes 51 employees for delivering “exemplary service”; and Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) launches a mobile ticketing pilot program.

NYCT crews have completed deep cleaning at six out of the nine Bronx stations with the final three expected to be completed by the end of 2022.

Transit Briefs: NYCT, MBTA, Amtrak

MTA New York City Transit (NYCT) announces launch of “Station ReNEWvation Program.” Also, Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority’s (MBTA) South Coast Rail is on track for late 2023 start; and Amtrak releases Fiscal Year 2022 (FY22) summary.

MTA New York City Transit showed off the first five new Kawasaki R211 rapid transit cars at the South Brooklyn Interchange Yard on July 1, 2021. (Marc A. Hermann / MTA)

NYCT to Exercise 640-Railcar Option

The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) Board’s New York City Transit (NYCT) Committee has approved exercising an option with Kawasaki for 640 R211 rapid transit cars, authorizing the full MTA Board to consider the order on Oct. 26.