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

WMATA photo

Transit Briefs: WMATA, Brightline, NYMTA, CTA, NCTD, NFTA, PANYNJ

The Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) “flips the switch” on Solar Carport Project at Anacostia, marking completion at the first two stations. Also, Brightline partners with Distribusion Technologies; the New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) announces that the first OMNY card vending machines are available for customers; Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) ridership breaks post-pandemic record; the North County Transit District (NCTD) is awarded a Clean California Local Grant to beautify the Oceanside Transit Center Pedestrian Tunnel; the Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority (NFTA) announces the activation of Metro rail gates; and the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey (PANYNJ) sets a new September passenger record.

NYMTA photo

Transit Briefs: NYMTA/Metro-North, MTC/VTA, Detroit People Mover, LA Metro, TriMet, MTS

Construction work begins on Metro-North’s Park Avenue Viaduct Replacement Project. Also, the Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC) completes regional funding for the Valley Transportation Authority’s (VTA) Silicon Valley Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) Extension; the Detroit People Mover honors breast cancer survivors; LA Metro releases its 2023 Customer Experience Plan; TriMet begins construction at the Hollywood Transit Center; and the San Diego Metropolitan Transit System (MTS) approves a new transit-oriented housing development in La Mesa.

Brightline, Florida’s private-sector passenger railroad, is planning a new station in the Treasure Coast region. On Oct. 26, it released an RFP to determine the location. (Brightline Photograph)

Transit Briefs: Brightline, City of Edmonton, Houston Metro, MassDOT, NYMTA

Brightline launches a Request for Proposals (RFP) for a new intercity passenger rail station in Florida’s Treasure Coast region. Also, the long-awaited Valley Line Southeast LRT will open next month in Edmonton, Alberta; Metropolitan Transit Authority of Harris County (Houston Metro) selects Jacobs as a transit-oriented development advisor; Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) applies for U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) SMART grants for rail safety projects; and Fitch upgrades New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority’s (MTA) credit rating and rating outlook.

Transit Briefs: Amtrak/LOSSAN, NYMTA/PANYNJ, WMATA, Brightline

Amtrak Pacific Surfliner service reduces fleet’s environmental impact with sustainable fuel alternative. Also, the New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) announces that AirTrain JFK will accept payments via OMNY, beginning Oct. 11; the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) celebrates one million customers at the Washington Dulles International Airport Silver Line Metrorail Station and announces that normal rail service has returned as the agency continues to inspect the fleet’s oldest railcars; and Brightline will double its train service between Orlando and Miami.

Kinga Surma, Ontario’s Minister of Infrastructure, has debuted legislation proposing that municipalities fund the design and construction of new GO Transit stations, according to The Canadian Press.

Transit Briefs: GO Transit, NYPD/NYMTA, PennDOT, REM

Ontario, Canada’s Minister of Infrastructure eyes a new way of funding GO Transit stations. Also, an autonomous security robot will report for duty in the New York City Subway; Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) and Norfolk Southern (NS) finalize an agreement to expand Amtrak Pennsylvanian passenger rail service; and noise mitigation measures are being implemented on Réseau express métropolitain in Montreal.

Amtrak on Sept. 21 celebrated the $1.4 million renovation of its Missouri River Runner-served station in Jefferson City. (Amtrak Photograph)

Transit Briefs: Amtrak, MBTA, NYMTA, SMART

Amtrak completes $1.4 million station-accessibility upgrade project in Jefferson City, Mo. Also, Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) schedules fall service shutdowns for maintenance work; New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) reports post-pandemic subway ridership records and releases a Request for Information for subway platform cooling technologies; and Petaluma, Calif., receives $30.2 million for affordable housing at the future Petaluma North SMART (Sonoma-Marin Area Rail Transit) Station.

The Virginia CTB has approved new policies that change the way VRE is funded and reform from the governance and funding of WMATA.

Transit Briefs: TTC, NYMTA, VRE/WMATA, ATP, Brightline

The Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) proposes new investments in customer service, community safety and security initiatives. Also, New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) Construction & Development (C&D) achieves insurance costs and risk assessment savings of nearly $400 million; Virginia’s Commonwealth Transportation Board (CTB) approves new Virginia Railway Express (VRE) and Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) policies; Austin Transit Partnership (ATP) approves $190 million spending plan for fiscal year 2024; and Brightline announces Orlando transportation partners.

New York MTA has received a strengthened credit rating outlook from Moody’s Investors’ Service, which amended the outlook of its A3 rating for MTA’s Transportation Revenue Bonds rating to “positive” from “stable.”

Transit Briefs: NYMTA, SacRT

Moody’s Investors’ Service ups the credit rating outlook for New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA). Also, the state of California has awarded Sacramento Regional Transit (SacRT) $4.4 million for three transportation infrastructure projects.

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