SacRT

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.

Image Courtesy of Alstom

Transit Briefs: KDOT, Amtrak, Alstom, SacRT, CTA

The Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT) gives an update on the proposed expansion of Amtrak’s Heartland Virtual Flyer line into Wichita. Also, renovation is complete on Amtrak’s Staples Mill Station; Alstom signs a contract with Dallas Fort Worth (DFW) International Airport for a modernization and replacement program for its Skylink automated people mover (APM) system; the Sacramento Regional Transit District (SacRT) celebrates its Light Rail Modernization Project and groundbreaking ceremony for Folsom 15-minute light rail service; and the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) enhances rail station access with new Americans with Disabilities (ADA) faregates.

“SacRT’s order of eight additional S700 LRVs is a testament to our shared dedication to providing trains that elevate the passenger experience, promote long-term sustainability, and enhance operational availability,” said Michael Cahill, President of Siemens Mobility in North America.

Siemens Lands Another SacRT LRV Order

Sacramento Regional Transit District (SacRT) in California has selected Siemens Mobility to supply eight additional S700 low-floor LRVs (light rail vehicles) for its 43-mile, 53-station system, bringing the total number on order to 36.

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.

SkyTrain workers have reached a tentative agreement with BCRTC.

Transit Briefs: WMATA, MARTA, SkyTrain, SacRT

The Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) launches a new real-time rail service tracking tool. Also, the Maryland Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA) Police’s Deputy Chief returns from executive training in Israel; SkyTrain workers reach a tentative agreement with the British Columbia Rapid Transit Company (BCRTC); and the Sacramento Regional Transit District (SacRT) is awarded $35 million in funding for light rail improvements.

Over the next 12 months, Siemens will add a new bearings monitoring system to all light rail vehicle trucks in the CATS Blue Line fleet, according to WCNC, an NBC affiliate in Charlotte, N.C.

Transit Briefs: CATS, LACMTA, MTA Metro-North, SacRT, TriMet

Charlotte Area Transit System (CATS) in North Carolina will add a new bearing monitoring system to its LYNX Blue Line light rail fleet. Also, Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority’s (LACMTA) ridership is up 10%, setting a post-pandemic record; service cuts could be coming to MTA Metro-North Railroad’s New Haven (Conn.) Line; Sacramento Regional Transit District (SacRT) in California extends its fare-free rides for youth program; and Tri-County Metropolitan Transportation District of Oregon (TriMet) adopts the coming year’s budget and announces a four-month disruption of the MAX Red Line.

Transit Briefs: LA Metro, VIA Rail, SacRT

The Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro) releases its proposed 2023-24 $9 billion budget. Also, Leger Study names VIA Rail Canada (VIA Rail) “the most reputable company” in the transportation sector; and the Sacramento Regional Transit District (SacRT) begins testing new low-floor light rail trains on the tracks.

Commentary

SacRT Turns 50 This Year

For 50 years, the Sacramento Regional Transit District (SacRT) has knitted the capital region together, taking millions of riders where they need to go, from downtown Sacramento to old town Folsom, from Elk Grove to Citrus Heights, and to hundreds of points in between.

SacRT’s first new low-floor LRV from Siemens Mobility. (Photograph Courtesy of SacRT, via Twitter)

First Look: SacRT’s New Siemens Mobility S700

Sacramento Regional Transit District (SacRT) this month received the first of 28 light rail vehicles (S700) from Siemens Mobility in south Sacramento, Calif. In April 2020, SacRT and Siemens Mobility started executing