SacRT has teamed with the Sacramento Public Library to launch the area’s first library train. (Photograph Courtesy of SacRT)

Transit Briefs: Amtrak/VPRA, DART/DCTA, Metrolinx, SacRT, Sound Transit

Amtrak’s Virginia route ridership hit record highs last month. Also, Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) and Denton County Transportation Authority (DCTA) in Texas are launching a joint rail operations facility; Metrolinx is employing Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design on its Finch West light rail transit (LRT) project in northwest Toronto; Sacramento Regional Transit (SacRT) riders can sit back and read on the new Library Train in California; and the Fare Ambassador program at Sound Transit in Seattle, Wash., is now permanent.

The opening of the MBTA's GLX Medford Branch has been shifted from late summer 2022 to late Nov. 2022.

Transit Briefs: MBTA, Caltrain, Metrolinx, SacRT, Amtrak, LA Metro

The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) says its Green Line Extension (GLX) Medford Branch will open in late Nov. 2022. Also, the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) votes unanimously to accept

LIRR’s 2021 record on-time performance of 96.3% represents a 5.5 percentage point improvement over 2018’s rate of 90.4%.

Transit Briefs: LIRR, Sacramento RTD, TTC, VIA Rail

The 2021 on-time performance of MTA Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) in New York has surpassed the previous record set in 2020. Also, this summer, Sacramento (Calif.) Regional Transit District (RTD) will start Gold Line light rail improvements; Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) has partnered with Magnusmode on a new rider app; and VIA Rail Canada has selected Icomera to deploy Wi-Fi and an onboard digital platform for riders on its new trainsets.

CTC Approves 11 Rail-Related Infrastructure Projects

The California Transportation Commission (CTC) has allocated more than $1.4 billion for state projects to improve transportation infrastructure. Of that total, $67.78 million is for 11 rail-related efforts.

SacRT Awarded $35.47MM for LRT Improvements

The Sacramento Regional Transportation District (SacRT) will receive $35.47 million from the California Transportation Commission (CTC) to continue work on its $610 million light rail modernization project to improve capacity.

Siemens-refurbished LRVs start rolling in Sacramento

The Sacramento Regional Transit District (RTD) on Wednesday, Sept. 16, 2015 will begin operating the first set of light rail vehicles newly refurbished by Siemens on the recently opened Blue Line light rail extension to Cosumnes River College.