A consultant has been selected to perform the environmental review of New York MTA’s Interborough Express, a proposed 14-mile, 19-station light rail transit project. (Station Rendering Courtesy of NYMTA)

Transit Briefs: East-West Rail, MBTA, Metra, NYMTA, SEPTA

Funding for the east-west passenger rail project is left out of the Massachusetts budget. Also, Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) and Boston Carmen’s ATU Local 589 reach a tentative agreement; Chicago’s Metra is boosting its ME Blue Island commuter rail service; a consultant has been selected for environmental review of the New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority’s (MTA) Interborough Express project; and Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) is expanding its institutional pass program.

Rendering Courtesy of Alstom

Transit Briefs: SEPTA, SFMTA, LA Metro, New Orleans RTA

The Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) will tackle critical track and power maintenance as part of its 2023 Trolley Tunnel Blitz. Also, San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency (SFMTA) riders will soon receive improved wireless connectivity; copper theft causes delays on LA Metro’s rail lines; and the New Orleans Regional Transit Authority’s (RTA) Rampart streetcar line reopening is pushed back to 2024 amid infrastructure delays.

Aerial photo of a portion of West Broadway Avenue in north Minneapolis, the proposed route of the Blue Line light rail extension. (Met Council)

Transit Briefs: Minn. Met Council, NJ Transit, SEPTA, NTMTA, Calif. State Budget

The Minnesota Metropolitan (Met) Council’s Anti-Displacement Working Group makes recommendations on Blue Line Extension. Also, NJ Transit launches customer awareness campaign to promote kindness; the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) launches its Open Data Portal; the New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA)’s congestion pricing plan wins federal approval after comprehensive environmental review; and California Gov. Gavin Newsom and state lawmakers reach a deal on the 2023-2024 budget that includes $5.1 billion for transit capital funding.

U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg

First Look: Rail-Related RAISE Grantees for FY23

More than $244 million in FY 2023 RAISE (Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity) program grants will be distributed to 13 freight and passenger rail-related projects in 11 states, according to

SEPTA Board Approves FY24 Operating, Capital Budgets

Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) on June 22 reported that the Board had signed off on its operating and capital budgets for FY 2024—the last budget year before the transit authority said it will hit a “fiscal cliff,” resulting in service cuts and fare increases without additional state funding for everyday operating expenses.

Transit Briefs: Amtrak, NYMTA, Metra, SEPTA, LA Metro, Caltrain

Amtrak leadership signs Operation Lifesaver, Inc. (OLI) Safety Pledge. Also, the New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority’s (MTA) Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) and Metro-North Railroad set post-pandemic ridership records; Metra seeks public feedback on proposed simplified fare structure; the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) receives two sustainability awards for environmental excellence; LA Metro implements fare capping; and Caltrain delays fare increases.

MBTA has issued a 29-page Service Delivery Report, with information on ridership, span of service, service coverage, accessibility, reliability, operated service, rider comfort and paratransit standards. (CRRC Image)

Transit Briefs: MBTA, NJ Transit, Rail Online, SEPTA

Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) releases second-annual Service Delivery Report. Also, New Jersey Transit launches the “Know Your ABCs” travel planning campaign; a new online ticketing platform is offering travelers access to U.S., Canada, U.K. and European rail bookings; and Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) boosts Regional Rail capacity after the I-95 collapse in Philadelphia and debuts a new website for the Office of Inspector General.

Amtrak has been honored on the Forbes Best Employers for New Graduates 2023 list.

Transit Briefs: Amtrak, Caltrain, MTA Metro-North, NYMTA

Amtrak is honored on the Forbes Best Employers for New Graduates in 2023 list. Also, renovation work on Amtrak’s William H. Gray III 30th Street Station in Philadelphia is now under way; electric trains operated under power from the overhead contact system (OCS) run on Caltrain’s corridor for the first time; Connecticut’s new budget includes cutting a subsidy to the MTA Metro-North’s New Haven Line; and the New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) completes renovation at Myrtle Ave-Wyckoff Ave subway station in Brooklyn.

Leslie S. Richards, SEPTA Manager and CEO

SEPTA’s Richards Reappointed as Manager, CEO

The Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) on May 24 announced the reappointment of Leslie S. Richards as the agency’s General Manager and CEO. The SEPTA Board and Richards agreed to terms of a four-year contract that runs through January 2027.

John Dowie, Chief Commercial and Sales Officer, Pandrol (left) and Charles “Chuck” Lawson, Police Chief, Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority.

People News: ARH, Pandrol, SEPTA

Anacostia Rail Holdings (ARH) establishes an Advisory Board. Also, Pandrol promotes John Dowie to Chief Commercial and Sales Officer; and Charles “Chuck” Lawson transitions to Police Chief at Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA).

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