NYMTA

New York City subways reached 3.94 million riders on a single day for the first time since March 2020.

Transit Briefs: NYMTA, WMATA, APTA

The New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority’s (MTA) subways reach 3.94 million riders on a single day for the first time since March 2020. Also, the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) gets a service boost systemwide amid ridership surge; and the American Public Transportation Association (APTA) releases results from Phase 2 of its Transit Workforce Shortage Study and welcomes hundreds of industry professionals to Washington, D.C., for 2023 Legislative Conference.

Transit Briefs: NYMTA/LIRR, SEPTA

The New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) rolls out modifications to Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) Grand Central Madison train service. Also, Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) officials express concern about the quality of work performed by China Railway Rolling Stock Corp. (CRRC).

NYMTA Awards Crosstown Partners CBTC Contract

The New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) on March 6 awarded a new contract to Crosstown Partners, a consortium of Thales and TC Electric (TCE), for the supply of SelTrac™ communications-based train control (CBTC) technology and to maintain the Crosstown Line system for 25 years. TCE as the construction contractor will upgrade the stations, wayside and track.

The Honolulu Civil Beat on Feb. 27 reported that the Hawaii Senate Ways and Means Committee approved Senate Bill 176, extending “the excise tax surcharge for rail to raise more money for the cash-strapped” and much-delayed HART Honolulu Rail System project.

Transit Briefs: HART, LACMTA, NHDOT, NYMTA, SEPTA

A Hawaii Senate Committee mistakenly passes a rail tax extension that would raise funding for the Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transit (HART). Also, Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (LACMTA) ridership is up 12% compared with a year ago; a draft study for the New Hampshire Department of Transportation (NHDOT) finds that commuter rail service between Boston and Manchester, N.H., would cost $782 million to build; Transit Wireless expands its partnership with the New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA); and the U.S. Department of Transportation Office of the Inspector General (USDOT OIG) will audit Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority’s (SEPTA) compliance with Buy America requirements for rolling stock.

As MARTA’s streetcar vehicle wheels are being replaced due to degradation, shuttle vans wrapped to look like streetcars are servicing the Atlanta, Ga., route. (MARTA Photographs)

Transit Briefs: MARTA, NYMTA, WMATA

Streetcar service is returning to downtown Atlanta, Ga., reports Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA). Also, New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) will upgrade accessibility at 17 subway stations across all five boroughs; and Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) is eyeing design changes for its new 8000-series rapid transit cars.

Brightline West has inked a commitment with the High-Speed Rail Labor Coalition, which comprises 13 rail unions representing more than 160,000 freight, regional, commuter and passenger railroad workers in the United States. (Photograph Courtesy of Brightline West)

Transit Briefs: Brightline West, Metrolinx, NYMTA

Brightline West supports using union labor for its planned 218-mile high-speed rail system connecting Las Vegas and Southern California. Also, Metrolinx provides updates the Finch West LRT’s Humber College Station and Toronto Union Station projects in Canada; and the New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) will test “wide-aisle” fare gates.

Massachusetts State Rep. William Straus (10th Bristol) has filed two bills that, if approved, would leave MBTA charged with subway and bus services only.

Transit Briefs: MBTA; Miami-Dade, Fla.; NYMTA

A Massachusetts lawmaker eyes structural changes at Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA). Also, the Citizens’ Independent Transportation Trust (CITT) in Miami-Dade, Fla., launches an ambassador program; and MTA New York City Transit (NYCT) unveils its first dedicated customer service centers.

To provide new revenue to the New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority, New York Gov. Kathy Hochul is eying a payroll tax increase on businesses in New York City and its surrounding counties that are served by MTA’s subways, commuter railroads and buses.

Transit Briefs: NYMTA, Tri-Rail, WMATA

New York Gov. Kathy Hochel addresses the Metropolitan Transportation Authority’s “fiscal cliff” in her state budget proposal; MTA signs a program management and design services contract to support capital program infrastructure work. Also, south Florida’s Tri-Rail commuter railroad homes in on a 2023 start date for downtown Miami service; and Washington Area Metropolitan Transit Authority mourns the loss of employee Robert Cunningham, who intervened on behalf of a customer at Potomac Avenue rapid transit station and was a victim of gun violence.

New York MTA’s Metro-North Penn Station Access Project would bring MTA Metro-North commuter rail service to Penn Station and Manhattan’s west side, along Amtrak’s Hell Gate Line on the Northeast Corridor (artist’s rendering shown).

Transit Briefs: Brightline, NYMTA, OCTA, SacRT, SCVTA

Ahead of service to Orlando, train testing of up to 110 mph continues for Brightline, Florida’s private-sector passenger railroad. Also, New York MTA’s Metro-North Penn Station Access Project faces delays; Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA) and Metrolink unveil track and station improvements in Anaheim, Calif.; Sacramento Regional Transit District (SacRT) in California begins station modifications to accommodate new LRVs from Siemens Mobility; and Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (SCVTA) offers limited-edition trading cards.