SMART

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.
  • News

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.

As part of the Blue-Ribbon Panel's Final Report on Fare Evasion, the New York MTA plans to reimagine its subway fare gate system to "improve accessibility and deter evasion." (MTA photo)

Transit Briefs: VIA Rail, SMART, Austin’s Project Connect, NYMTA

VIA Rail Canada (VIA Rail) provides yearly progress update on sustainability plan. Also, the Sonoma-Marin Area Rail Transit District (SMART) offers free public transit for K-12 youth; Austin Transit Partnership (ATP) recommends two Austin Light Rail options to transit leaders; and the New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority’s (MTA) Blue-Ribbon Panel unveils multi-layered plan with cutting-edge technology to reduce fare and toll evasion.

Metrolinx has released an Initial Business Case on the feasibility of adding a Highway 7/Concord GO Station to the Barrie Line. (Metrolinx Photograph)

Transit Briefs: Metrolinx, NYMTA, St. Louis MetroLink, SMART, STM

Metrolinx considers adding a new GO rail station to the Barrie Line, north of Toronto. Also, New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) will start boosting subway train frequency this summer as ridership reaches record levels; St. Louis MetroLink will test metal detectors at stations; construction will begin this fall on a new Sonoma-Marin Area Rail Transit (SMART) commuter rail station; and Société de transport de Montréal (STM) is deploying safety ambassadors, special constables and custodial employees to improve security and station cleanliness.

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.

The Calgary Green Line LRT project’s first phase is slated to connect southeast Calgary to downtown—11.18 miles from Shepard to Eau Claire—and link to the existing Red and Blue lines and four MAX BRT (Bus Rapid Transit) routes. (Calgary Transit Rendering)

Transit Briefs: Calgary Transit, LACMTA, NYMTA, SMART, Irwin/GMI

An SNC-Lavalin-led consortium lands a contract for the Calgary Green Line LRT project. Also, Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (LACMTA) releases its Draft Environmental Impact Report (DEIR) for the C Line (Green) Extension to Torrance Project; New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) debuts accessibility and circulation improvements at Penn Station in Manhattan; Sonoma-Marin Area Rail Transit (SMART) reports that a recent California Supreme Court ruling will help advance plans to construct its northern extensions; and Irwin Transportation Products acquires Hornell, N.Y.-based Gray Manufacturing Industries (GMI), a railcar component supplier and technical consultant for the transit industry.

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