Rendering Courtesy of British Columbia, via Flickr.

Transit Briefs: TransLink, Calgary Transit, CDOT, PANYNJ, NYMTA

Eight new station names are announced for TransLink’s Surrey Langley SkyTrain extension. Also, a section of Calgary Transit’s LRT Red Line reopens following a nine-day closure; the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) explores the market for passenger train cars and locomotives; the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey (PANYNJ) installs five new test turnstiles for a new fare payment system; and the New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) announces the installation of wide-aisle fare gates and a new customer service center at Sutphin Boulevard-Archer Avenue-JFK Airport Station.

SacRT in mid-year 2024 will begin introducing a new fleet of low-floor light rail trains from Siemens Mobility.

Transit Briefs: BART/MTC, East-West Rail, Metrolinx, NYMTA, SacRT, San Diego MTS

The San Francisco Bay Area Rapid Transit District (BART) and Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC) are expanding their unlimited transit pass pilot program. Also, a Massachusetts legislative-panel report finds that MassDOT should run east-west passenger rail; Metrolinx addresses the launch date for Eglinton Crosstown LRT in Toronto; New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) is considering recommendations for a congestion pricing toll rate schedule; Sacramento (Calif.) Regional Transit District (SacRT) provides a light rail transit-modernization update; and California Transit Association elects San Diego Metropolitan Transit System’s (MTS) Sharon Cooney as Chair.

"VHB stands ready to be the city's partner, addressing its evolving needs, and forging a path toward a brighter, more inclusive tomorrow," said NYC Managing Director Joe Pizzurro.

VHB: NYC Office Experiences ‘Unprecedented Growth’

Multidiscipline civil engineering consulting and design firm Vanasse Hangen Brustlin, Inc. (VHB) says its New York City office is experiencing “unprecedented growth,” nearly doubling in size since the start of 2022 and welcoming several highly regarded professionals across its markets.

NYMTA photo

NYMTA: $427MM in Savings Identified in Proposed 2024 Budget

The New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) on Nov. 29 released its preliminary operating budget for 2024—the second of five years to have a projected balanced budget.

HDR photo

Transit Briefs: NYMTA, Tri-Rail, RTD

The New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) selects an HDR-led team to provide program management to its Station Capital Program. Also, final federal approval could bring Tri-Rail to downtown Miami in December; and the Denver Regional Transportation District (RTD) installs new light rail seat covers.

NYMTA photo

Transit Briefs: Claymont Transportation Center, NYMTA, DART

The $90 million Claymont Transportation Center will soon open to rail commuters. Also, the New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) announces that significant station upgrades have been completed at the Flushing-Main Street 7 subway station; and Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) festive trains return to bring holiday cheer.

The $135 million East-West Rail project in Massachusetts may include Palmer as a stop on the line linking Pittsfield and Boston. Springfield and Worcester are already stops on the planned line. (MassDOT image)

Transit Briefs: East-West Rail, MBTA, NYMTA, SCVTA, TransLink

Will the city Palmer be included in the Massachusetts’ East-West Rail project? Also, Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) completes an expedited track work project on the Red Line and removes nine speed restrictions; New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) upgrades cellular connectivity for MTA Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) riders and wraps up an subway station accessibility project in Brooklyn; Santa Clara Valley (Calif.) Transportation Authority (SCVTA) improves wayfinding for light rail riders; and metro Vancouver’s TransLink certifies 28 “transit-friendly” employers.

NYMTA photo

Transit Briefs: Metrolinx, NYMTA, SEPTA

Metrolinx makes its PRESTO card available in Google Wallet. Also, the New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority (NYMTA) announces that the New York City subway has hit one billion rides this year; and the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) will introduce a new name and look to its rail system in 2024.

Transit Briefs: NYMTA, Metrolink/LOSSAN/Amtrak Pacific Surfliner, Metrolinx

The New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) releases its “Zoning for Accessibility: 2022-2023 Annual Report”; Metrolink, LOSSAN and Amtrak Pacific Surfliner partner to provide expanded customer options; and the operation of Metrolinx’s Eglinton Crosstown LRT (ECLRT) may soon be in the hands of Ontario.

Mortimer L. Downey III (Photo Courtesy of the National Academy of Public Administration)

Report: Mass Transit Leader Downey Dies at 87

Mortimer L. Downey III, a nationally recognized leader in urban mass transit died on Nov. 2 at the age of 87, according to a report by The Washington Post. Downey spent six

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