SBCTA

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.

CTA has released a Request for Proposals to the three pre-selected contracting teams that demonstrated the ability to design and build the $3.6 billion Red Line Extension in a Request for Qualifications process that began last year. (CTA Rendering)

Transit Briefs: CTA, Minn. Met Council, San Diego MTS, SBCTA, WMATA

Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) issues a Request for Proposals (RFP) to build Red Line Extension track structure and stations, and hits the ridership “million mark” on multiple days, a post-pandemic first. Also, Minnesota’s Metropolitan Council announces a grant agreement that will fund work on the Metro Transit Blue Line extension project through 2024; San Diego Metropolitan Transit System’s (MTS) Board signs off on measures to improve operations, accessibility and security; San Bernardino County Transportation Authority (SBCTA) takes delivery of the ZEMU (Zero-Emissions Multiple Unit) from Stadler; and Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) delays until next year the full switch to automatic train operations (ATO).

NC By Train photo

Transit Briefs: Amtrak/NC By Train, NYMTA, VIA Rail, The City of Calgary, SBCTA/LA Metro

Amtrak and NC By Train announce that the Piedmont and Carolinian will now offer five daily roundtrips between Raleigh, Charlotte, and points in between. Also, the New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) announces a new customer real-time email and text alert system; VIA Rail Canada (VIA Rail) breaks ground on construction of Toronto Maintenance Center; The City of Calgary announces that it will undertake a new Calgary Airport Connection Study; and the San Bernardino County Transportation Authority (SBCTA) and LA Metro will study expanding rail frequency from Redlands to LA Union Station.

The city of Torrance, Calif., on June 9 held a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the Mary K. Giordano Regional Transit Center, which will serve as the future light rail terminus of LACMTA’s C Line. (Photograph Courtesy of Torrance City Mayor George Chen, via Facebook)

Transit Briefs: LACMTA, Omaha Streetcar, SBCTA, Shore Line East, TTC

The city of Torrance, Calif., opens a new transit center, the future light rail terminus for Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority’s (LACMTA) C Line. Also, the Omaha, Neb., streetcar project advances; San Bernardino County (Calif.) Transportation Authority (SBCTA) readies for delivery of its HFC (hydrogen fuel cell) trainset; Connecticut reduces funding for Shore Line East commuter rail service; and Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) reports that its safety and security incidents are declining.

CalSTA awarded Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) $375 million for the six-mile, four-station BART Silicon Valley Phase II Extension Project that will bring BART service to downtown San Jose and Santa Clara. Project completion is scheduled for 2033.

CalSTA Awards $2.5B for Rail Transit Projects

San Francisco Bay Area Rapid Transit District (BART) and Peninsula Corridor Joint Powers Board (Caltrain) are among the 14 California agencies that will share $2.515 billion in TIRCP (Transit and Intercity Rail Capital Program) grants from CalSTA (California State Transportation Agency) for rail-related projects.

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.

The Brightline West Cucamonga Station in Rancho Cucamonga, Calif., will be home to the first high-speed passenger rail service in the Inland Empire connecting Rancho Cucamonga, the High Desert and Las Vegas. (Graphic: Business Wire)

Transit Briefs: SBCTA, Metrolink, SEPTA, NJ Transit

The San Bernardino County Transportation Authority (SBCTA) approves sale of Cucamonga Station property to Brightline West. Also, SBCTA and Metrolink announce ribbon cutting ceremony of Redlands Passenger Rail Project; Metrolink receives first American Public Transportation Association (APTA) certification for sustainability program; the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) expands institutional pass program; NJ Transit wins International Data Corporation (IDC) Best in Future of Digital Innovation Award; and NJ Transit breaks ground on Hoboken Connect project.

Pictured: Stadler low-floor FLIRT DMU train testing is being conducted along the nine-mile Arrow passenger rail corridor, linking the San Bernardino Transit Center and the University of Redlands in California. (Courtesy of SBCTA)

Transit Briefs: SBCTA, Amtrak, MBTA, NCTD

San Bernardino County (Calif.) Transportation Authority (SBCTA) reports that train testing continues along the nine-mile Arrow passenger rail corridor, which is slated for launch this fall. Also, Amtrak late last month celebrated the completion of ADA-related improvement projects at two Kansas stations; the Federal Transit Administration ordered Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) to conduct “an immediate safety standdown,” starting July 30; and North County (Calif.) Transit District has earned a financial reporting award.

On Feb. 16, a Metrolink train traveled along the new nine-mile, five-station Arrow corridor from San Bernardino to Redlands, Calif. (pictured). It allowed crews to take clearance measurements in preparation for train testing, which kicked off Feb. 22. Revenue service is slated to begin this summer.

Transit Briefs: CTA, LOSSAN, SBCTA

The Chicago Transit Board has approved a new agreement with Chicago Transit Authority’s (CTA) largest union. Also, Icomera U.S. is improving Wi-Fi service for Amtrak’s Pacific Surfliner riders; and San Bernardino County (Calif.) Transportation Authority (SBCTA) is starting train testing this month along the nine-mile Arrow passenger rail corridor.

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