SMART

The New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center’s SEBconnect online portal and app connects small and emerging business owners in real-time with available contracting, purchasing and new business opportunities at the Convention Center, New Orleans Public Belt Railroad and the Port of New Orleans.
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Small-Road Briefs: NOPB/Port NOLA, SMART

New Orleans Public Belt Railroad (NOPB) and the Port of New Orleans (Port NOLA) join New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center’s online portal and app that connects small and emerging businesses with available contracting and purchasing opportunities. Also, SMART Freight in California mulls a return to storing liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) tank cars.

Brightline, South Florida’s private-sector passenger railroad, has received proposals from the city of Fort Pierce and Audubon Development and a joint proposal from the city of Stuart and Marin County to host new stations along the Treasure Coast, a region comprising Martin, St. Lucie, and Indian River counties. (Brightline Photograph)

Transit Briefs: Brightline, PATH, Rail Runner Express, SMART

Florida cities submit Treasure Coast passenger rail station proposals to Brightline. Also, Port Authority Trans-Hudson (PATH) rapid transit in New York and New Jersey achieves record ridership in November; New Mexico’s Rail Runner Express makes permanent its monthly commuter rail fare discount; and Sonoma-Marin Area Rail Transit (SMART) will allow young people and seniors to ride free.

SMART East-West Rail Corridor Receives Federal Boost

The Sonoma-Marin Area Rail Transit District (SMART) announced Dec. 18 that its east-west rail corridor, connecting the City of Novato to Suisun City, has been designated for inclusion under the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) Corridor Identification and Development (Corridor ID) program.

Screenshot Courtesy of SMART, via YouTube

Transit Briefs: SMART, Sound Transit, Project Connect, SEPTA, CTA

Sonoma-Marin Area Rail Transit (SMART) celebrates the groundbreaking of its Petaluma North Station. Also, Sound Transit expects to finish the planning phase for its West Seattle Light Rail Extension in 2024; Project Connect expects to wrap its initial light rail environmental review by next fall; Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) Transit Police vote to strike after rejecting the latest contract from the agency; and the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) introduces “Innovation Studio” to address public transit challenges.

Amtrak on Sept. 21 celebrated the $1.4 million renovation of its Missouri River Runner-served station in Jefferson City. (Amtrak Photograph)

Transit Briefs: Amtrak, MBTA, NYMTA, SMART

Amtrak completes $1.4 million station-accessibility upgrade project in Jefferson City, Mo. Also, Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) schedules fall service shutdowns for maintenance work; New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) reports post-pandemic subway ridership records and releases a Request for Information for subway platform cooling technologies; and Petaluma, Calif., receives $30.2 million for affordable housing at the future Petaluma North SMART (Sonoma-Marin Area Rail Transit) Station.

On June 26, 2023, a CSX conductor trainee was killed during a shoving movement at the Seagirt Marine Terminal in Baltimore, Md. Shown above: an illustrated aerial view of the accident scene. (Source: Google Earth; Courtesy of NTSB)

NTSB Issues Preliminary Report on Shove Movement Investigation Following Trainee Fatality

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has released a preliminary report for its ongoing investigation of the June 26, 2023, accident involving a CSX conductor trainee, who was killed while riding the lead railcar during a shoving movement at the Seagirt Marine Terminal in Baltimore, Md. The terminal is managed by Ports America, and the track is owned and inspected by Canton Railroad.

MTA photo

Transit Briefs: NYMTA, VIA Rail, SMART, DART

The New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) announces 14 additional subway stations to be refurbished as part of New York City Transit’s (NYCT) Re-NEW-Vation Program and adds a second R211 train to the A Line. Also, VIA Rail Canada’s (VIA Rail) new President and CEO Mario Peloquin announces plans to renew trains 82 and 83; the Sonoma-Marin Area Rail Transit District (SMART) secures critical funding for construction of extensions to Windsor and Healdsburg; and Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) introduces new GoPass Tap Card retail network.

Pictured, left to right: Dana Salloum, Alstom; Lee Caragiale and Mike Washington, HDR; and Michael Coleman, International Association of Sheet Metal, Air, Rail and Transportation Workers.
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People News: Alstom, HDR, SMART

Alstom elevates Dana Salloum to Chief Communications Officer. Also, HDR adds Lee Caragiale and Mike Washington to its Transportation Equity and Environmental Justice team; and the International Association of Sheet Metal, Air, Rail and Transportation Workers (SMART) elects Michael Coleman as General President.

Amtrak CEO Stephen Gardner earlier this month received the Honorable Ray LaHood Award for 2023 at WTS International’s annual conference in Atlanta, Ga. (Amtrak Photograph)

Transit Briefs: Amtrak, LACMTA, Maryland DOT Maryland MTA, SMART, TTC

WTS (Women’s Transportation Seminar) International recognizes Amtrak CEO Stephen Gardner for his commitment to advancing women in transportation. Also, the TAP fare card program for 26 Los Angeles County transit agencies, including LACMTA, expands its vendor network; Baltimore (Md.) Metropolitan Council issues a long-range regional transportation plan, which includes capital projects for Maryland Department of Transportation Maryland Transit Administration; Sonoma-Marin Area Rail Transit District (SMART) in California is launching an on-demand microtransit shuttle to the airport; and the Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) in Ontario, Canada selects SNC-Lavalin to provide enterprise asset management services.

Far Rockaway-Mott Av is the 29th station to be enhanced with an upcoming refurbishment planned at Pelham Bay Park on the line.

Transit Briefs: NYMTA, MARTA, SMART, VTA/BART, Miami-Dade County/Brightline

The New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) completes renovation at Far Rockaway-Mott Av subway station as part of New York City Transit’s (NYCT) Re-NEW-vation campaign. Also, the Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA) partners with Kia and Hyundai to prevent vehicle theft at rail stations; Sonoma-Marin Area Rail Transit (SMART) releases its proposed budget for public review; Valley Transportation Authority’s (VTA) Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) Silicon Valley Phase II Extension Project prepares for early construction activities at Newhall Yard; and Miami-Dade County completes the Project Development phase of the New Starts program for its Northeast Corridor (NEC) rail service between downtown Miami and Aventura, according to Brightline.