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.

Caltrain on Aug. 22 reported that its third and fourth EMUs of 19 on order have arrived at the Centralized Equipment and Maintenance Facility in San Jose. (Photograph Courtesy of Caltrain, via Twitter)

Transit Briefs: Caltrain, Metrolinx, NYCT, Sound Transit

Caltrain’s third and fourth new Stadler-built KISS EMUs (electric multiple unit) arrive in San Jose, Calif. Also, GO Transit debuts DC character-themed PRESTO fare cards for FAN EXPO Canada in Toronto; a new cohort of MTA New York City Transit (NYCT) train operators graduates; and Seattle’s Sound Transit takes delivery of the first two of 11 new commuter railcars from Alstom.

The Sound Transit Board on July 28 identified the preferred light rail route and station locations for the West Seattle Link Extension after weighing community priorities, regional needs, input from agencies and the city of Seattle, and Draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) analysis. (Photograph Courtesy of Sound Transit)

Transit Briefs: Sound Transit, BART, Brightline, Metra, NYCT

The Sound Transit Board has confirmed the preferred alternative for the West Seattle (Wash.) Link Extension and approved free fares for riders who under 19 years old. Also, San Francisco Bay Area Rapid Transit District (BART) has reinstituted a face-mask requirement; Brightline, Florida’s private-sector passenger railroad, is testing trains along a portion of its Orlando extension, slated to open in 2023; Chicago’s Metra is upgrading the historic Blue Island Vermont St. Station; and a new cohort of MTA New York City Transit (NYCT) train conductors has graduated.

LACMTA officials on July 23 were joined by L.A. Mayor and LACMTA Board Member Eric Garcetti; LACMTA First Chair Jacquelyn Dupont-Walker; Assemblymember Isaac Bryan; and Crenshaw community leaders, supporters and residents to celebrate the memory of civil rights activist Martin Luther King Jr. at the dedication of the Martin Luther King K Line Station in South Los Angeles. (Photograph Courtesy of LACMTA)

Transit Briefs: CTA, LACMTA, NYCT

The Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) is seeking applicants to join its ADA Advisory Committee. Also, the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (LACMTA) on July 23 dedicated the Martin Luther King Station, which will open this fall as part of the 8.5-mile K Line light rail project; and MTA New York City Transit (NYCT) will begin a monthly ridership survey.

Ridership on New Mexico's Rail Runner Express is said to have nearly doubled since April: from 800 round-trips per day to the current average of more than 1,500.

Transit Briefs: InnoTrans; N.M. Rail Runner; NYCT

InnoTrans is offering North American attendees a discount to attend its biennial international event. Also, New Mexico’s Rail Runner Express regional/commuter rail service is extending its fare discount and adding service; and MTA New York City Transit has appointed four executives.

NYCT: Four Firms Named ‘Signaling Challenge’ Finalists

Four companies—4AI Systems, Alstom, Luminar/Seoul Robotics and Ouster/Lux Modus—have been selected by the New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority Transit Tech Lab as finalists in the global Signaling Challenge competition, part of New York City Transit’s CBTC (communications-based train control) program.

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