Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority

Austin, Tex.-based Atlas Technical Consultants Inc. reported being selected among a team of consultants to manage the geotechnical engineering and design of Brightline West. (Brightline West Photograph)

Transit Briefs: Brightline West, QLINE, Santa Clara VTA

Brightline West awards a geotechnical engineering and design contract for its high-speed rail project linking Las Vegas and Southern California. Also, QLINE Detroit streetcars will include new advertising as part of a loan repayment agreement; and Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority’s (VTA) ridership rebounds in 2023.

The Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) Local 2, which represents 661 streetcar overhead and subway signal maintainers and others at TTC, voted in favor of a strike mandate on Feb. 8. (TTC Photograph)

Transit Briefs: TTC, Santa Clara VTA

Communications, electrical and signal workers at Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) vote in favor of a strike mandate. Also, Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) launches an anti-harassment campaign.

SRPRA has selected AECOM to develop a plan to restore intercity passenger rail service from Reading to Philadelphia, Pa. (SRPRA Rendering)

Transit Briefs: SRPRA, SCVTA, WMATA

Schuylkill River Passenger Rail Authority (SRPRA) in Pennsylvania selects a consultant to prepare a Reading-Philadelphia service development plan. Also, Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (SCVTA) closes on a $23.8-million land purchase near Diridon Station in San Jose, Calif.; and Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) eliminates the $2 SmarTrip fare payment card fee for seniors.

SBCTA’s first ZEMU train (pictured) arrived in the U.S. in September and is being tested at the DOT Transportation Technology Center in Pueblo, Colo. (ENSCO Photograph). The agency recently awarded a contract for a hydrogen storage and transfer system that will be used to fuel the ZEMU. (ENSCO Photograph)

Transit Briefs: SBCTA, SCVTA, Sound Transit, VIA Rail

San Bernardino County Transportation Authority (SBCTA) advances its hydrogen infrastructure project ahead of ZEMU (Zero-Emission Multiple Unit) train service in California. Also, Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (SCVTA) lands a $2.98 million grant for the Tidal Marsh Restoration Project; Seattle’s Sound Transit launches an online open house for an access improvements project at Sounder commuter rail’s South Tacoma Station; and Saskatchewan mayors consider a new route for VIA Rail Canada’s Canadian intercity passenger rail service.

“Nonpolice community service officers” at Metro Transit in Minneapolis/St. Paul began checking fares Dec. 4 on the Blue and Green light rail lines. (Metro Transit Photograph)

Transit Briefs: Metro Transit, SCVTA

Metro Transit in Minneapolis/St. Paul, Minn., launches a fare enforcement program. Also, more affordable housing will be built on Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (SCVTA)-owned property.

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.

TCMC Stations(Heather Poltrock

Transit Briefs: Sound Transit, Amtrak, SCVTA

Sound Transit moves forward on the purchase of 10 more Link cars. Also, Amtrak service from St. Paul, Minn., to Chicago, Ill., reaches the final design phase; and Sant Clara Valley Transportation Authority (SCVTA) vehicles are taking the place of Reading, Pennsylvania, B&O and Short Line on the new Monopoly San Jose Edition.

Amtrak and Vornado Realty Trust on Nov. 19 marked the completion of the 7th Avenue and 32nd Street entrance project at New York Penn Station. The station’s busiest entrance has been fully rebuilt, with its width expanded by 50%. (Photo Credit: Fernando Sandoval/MW)

Transit Briefs: Amtrak, Metra, NCDOT, SCVTA, Sound Transit

Amtrak and Vornado Realty Trust transform the 7th Avenue and 32nd Street entrance of New York Penn Station. Also, Chicago’s Metra commuter railroad debuts its holiday trains; North Carolina’s Carolinian and Piedmont intercity passenger rail services experience record-breaking ridership; a new site designation will promote Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority’s (SCVTA) transit-oriented communities; and Seattle’s Sound Transit is testing an accessibility app to improve wayfinding for riders with vision disabilities.

Caltrain expects to roll out electrified commuter rail service, including faster trains, less wait time at stations and a simplified schedule, starting September 2024. (Caltrain Photograph)

Transit Briefs: Caltrain, Metrolink, Metrolinx, SCVTA

Caltrain releases a proposed service plan for its September 2024 Electrification Project rollout. Also, southern California’s Metrolink commuter rail service is launching a fare-free pilot program for students; Metrolinx provides a behind-the-scenes look at one of the most unique stations along Toronto’s Eglinton Crosstown LRT; and inflation and other factors boost the price tag of Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority’s (SCVTA) BART Silicon Valley Phase II Extension Project.