A portion of the preferred station stop map and numbering approach for the Link system. (Credit: Sound Transit)

Transit Briefs: Sound Transit, CATS, RTD, DART

Sound Transit will replace pictograms with a new station code system across its Link network. Also, the Charlotte Area Transit System (CATS) moves into the next phase of building its new transportation system; the Regional Transportation District (RTD) seeks a corporate partner for A Line naming rights; and Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) offers free cell service and phone to eligible riders.

UTA is developing a Five-Year Service Plan "to guide how transit services will improve."

Transit Briefs: UTA, Amtrak, SFMTA/Muni, RTD, CTA, SMART, Metrolink

The Utah Transit Authority (UTA) seeks input on its Five-Year Service Plan. Also, Iowa City Council approves the purchase of properties for potential Chicago to Iowa City route; San Francisco Muni to upgrade city streets with 1,500 new digital signs and boost tunnel wi-fi; the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency (SFMTA) reveals a sneak peek of the new Chinatown-Rose Pak Muni station; the Regional Transportation District (RTD) releases FY 2023 proposed budget; the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) releases proposed 2023 operating budget; Sonoma-Marin Area Rail Transit (SMART) allots $14 million to build second Petaluma station; and Metrolink announces that weekend trains along the Orange County and Inland Empire-Orange County lines will resume service starting Oct. 29.

Metrolink's new Arrow service begins Monday, Oct. 24, following an Oct. 21 ribbon-cutting ceremony. (Photo Courtesy of SBCTA via Twitter)

Transit Briefs: Metrolink, RTD, CTA, NJ Transit, Austin’s Project Connect, NYMTA

Metrolink’s new Arrow service will begin on Oct. 24 following a ribbon-cutting ceremony. Also, the Regional Transportation District (RTD) announces two zero fare days to encourage voter participation; the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) completes more than 80% of work outlined in its Refresh & Renew program; NJ Transit reaches agreement to fix issues at five stations on the Northeast Corridor (NEC); Austin’s Project Connect is back in the public eye; and Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) New York City Transit (NYCT) leadership ensures public safety announcements are being made.

Gov. Hochul, MTA Chief Executive Officer Janno Lieber, and Demetrius Crichlow, Senior Vice President of NYCT Subways tour a 7 train with newly installed high- resolution security cameras at the Corona Maintenance Facility in Queens, Tuesday Sept. 20, 2022. Eventually, all 6,500-plus subway cars in the NYCT system will be outfitted with two high resolution video cameras to ensure safety for straphangers. (Kevin P. Coughlin / Office of Governor Kathy Hochul)

Transit Briefs: NYMTA, LA Metro, OKC Streetcar, RTD, Boston’s South Station, Metro-North, LIRR

Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) to install security cameras in every subway car. Also, LA Metro releases new photos of the K Line’s Hyde Park Station artwork; the OKC Streetcar reaches one million rider milestone; the Regional Transportation District (RTD) closes financial transaction reducing its annual debt service by more than $144 million over 200 years; officials celebrate the next chapter in the redevelopment of Boston’s South Station; and Metro-North Railroad and Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) will get their own police detail.

Rail Safety Week Initiatives Accelerate (UPDATED)

As Rail Safety Week (RSW) (Sept. 19-25), a collaborative effort among Operation Lifesaver, Inc. (OLI), state OLI programs and rail safety partners across the U.S., Canada and Mexico, continues to be observed, North American carriers and organizations are mobilizing to raise awareness about rail safety and to help stop track tragedies during this annual week-long event. Here is a roundup of the week’s initiatives.

On Sept. 12, 2022, the MBTA will launch a new, year-long pilot to test interest in weekday Commuter Rail service to Foxboro.

Transit Briefs: MBTA, CTA, BART, Amtrak, MDOT, RTD

The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority’s (MBTA) Foxboro Weekday Commuter Rail Service Pilot is scheduled to begin Sept. 12. Also, the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) signs contract for new K-9 teams to be deployed across rail system; Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) commemorates its 50th anniversary with vintage arcade games; Amtrak breaks ground on two Americans with Disabilities (ADA) station upgrade projects and celebrates the completion of another; Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker, U.S. Rep. Richard Neal and head of Amtrak take train tour to see what needs to be done to bring Springfield’s rail lines back; Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT) Maryland Transit Administration (MTA) will ramp up activities on the Purple Line project; and the Regional Transportation District (RTD) selects Dr. Joel Fitzgerald Sr. as Chief of Police and Emergency Management.

Jennifer DeBruhl, Virginia DRPT Director

People News: DRPT, RTD, COMTO, WAGO

The Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation (DRPT) appoints Jennifer DeBruhl Director. Also, the Colorado Women’s Chamber of Commerce (CWCC) names Regional Transportation District (RTD) Board Director Angie Rivera-Malpiede among the

Top First-Place winners will face a final round of judging to determine the Grand Awards, which will be presented at the APTA’s TRANSform Conference, October 9-12, 2022, in Seattle, Wash.

APTA Announces First-Place Winners of 2022 AdWheel Awards

The American Public Transportation Association (APTA) announced on July 19 the First-Place winners of its 2022 AdWheel Awards, which are awarded to APTA member systems and business members for “outstanding marketing and

RTD will offer zero fares on all services during the month of August.

Passenger Rail Briefs: RTD, WMATA

The Regional Transportation District (RTD) announced on June 28 that it will be launching its statewide initiative, Zero Fare for Better Air. Also, the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) has announced

Rail service to Denver airport scheduled for April start

The Regional Transportation District (RTD) received official notice from the project concessionaire, Denver Transit Partners, that the University of Colorado A Line commuter rail service from Denver Union Station to Denver International Airport will be ready for service on April 22, 2016.