SCRRA

TransLink customers can now receive email or text message notifications about closures to elevators, escalators or station entrances on the system in real time.

Transit Briefs: TransLink, Metrolink, Metra, MARTA

TransLink enhances transit alerts for customers. Also, the Southern California Regional Rail Authority (SCRRA) awards a contract to Hill International to support state of good repair (SOGR) across Metrolink system; Metra seeks public comment on new strategic plan; and the Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA) awards developer joint venture for mixed-income housing transit-oriented development at Bankhead Station.

Receiving grants are: Metrolink operator Southern California Regional Rail Authority (SCRRA; $12.5 million); Tri-Rail operator Southern Florida Regional Transportation Authority (SFRTA; $12.9 million); New York State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT) and Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) Metro-North Railroad ($4.4 million); NYSDOT and MTA Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) ($14.9 million); and the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA; $15 million).

USDOT Awards $59MM for Commuter Rail Grade Crossing Improvements

Five commuter rail agencies will receive a total of $59 million in grants for highway-rail grade crossing improvements in California, Florida, New York and Pennsylvania from the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), in coordination with the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) and Federal Transit Administration (FTA). The awards are part of round two of the Commuter Authority Rail Safety Improvement (CARSI) Grants Program.

Darren Kettle, incoming CEO, Metrolink

Darren Kettle to Lead Metrolink

The Southern California Regional Rail Authority’s (SCRRA) Board of Directors has appointed Darren Kettle CEO of Metrolink, the 538-route mile, seven-line, 62-station regional/commuter rail network that spans Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, Ventura and North San Diego counties.

The $10 billion SCORE program will upgrade Metrolink’s Southern California regional/commuter rail system ahead of the LA 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

HDR SCOREs Metrolink Program Manager Contract

The Southern California Regional Rail Authority (Metrolink) has selected HDR as program manager for Phase 1 of its SCORE (Southern California Optimized Rail Expansion) capital improvement program. HDR had been serving as interim program management consultant since August 2019.

Metrolink readies for O&M contract

Metrolink, Southern California’s regional/commuter rail service, is preparing to release a request for proposals (RFP) for its first-ever combined O&M (operations and maintenance) contract, and will hold an event on Feb. 15 and 16 in Pomona, Calif., for interested contractors, subcontractors, vendors and suppliers who have expertise and/or offer services or products to the rail industry. “This will be an opportunity for the industry to preview a draft RFP, provide feedback, obtain more information about Metrolink operations and tour Metrolink facilities,” the agency announced Jan. 25.

Metrolink names Yu COO

The Southern California Regional Rail Authority (Metrolink) has named Kimberly Yu as Chief Operating Officer (COO). Yu has served as Deputy COO for Planning and Project Delivery since she joined Metrolink in September 2015.