Tri-County Metropolitan Transportation District of Oregon

Pictured: Metro-North Railroad’s “Penn Central” heritage locomotive’s inaugural run. (MTA Metro-North Railroad Photograph)

Transit Briefs: DART, Metro-North, NJT, TriMet

Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) offers a sneak peek of its new LRV seats. Also, MTA Metro-North Railroad debuts its fourth heritage locomotive; New Jersey Transit (NJT) advances a mixed-use, multi-phase Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) project near Hoboken Terminal, where it is also working on resiliency upgrades; and Tri-County Metropolitan Transportation District of Oregon (TriMet) proposes a $1.75 billion budget for Fiscal Year (FY) 2025.

TriMet’s Gateway North MAX Station, the first new station in nine years, is set to open March 4 as part of the “A Better Red” MAX Extension and Reliability Improvements Project. (TriMet Photograph)
  • News

Transit Briefs: TriMet, Sound Transit, UTA, CTDOT

Tri-County Metropolitan Transportation District of Oregon (TriMet) readies for phase two completion of its “A Better Red” MAX Extension and Reliability Improvements Project. Also, Sound Transit announces the Link 2 Line launch date for service between South Bellevue and Redmond, Wash.; Utah Transit Authority’s (UTA) ReConnect program helps “keep people moving” during unplanned service interruptions; and Connecticut Department of Transportation (CTDOT) renews the Transit app premium subscription for public transportation riders statewide.

Beginning Feb. 26, TTC will enter Ontario’s One Fare program, which eliminates double fares for riders transferring between transit agencies in the Greater Toronto Area. (Metrolinx Photograph)

Transit Briefs: TTC, MBTA, TriMet

Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) joins Ontario’s One Fare Program. Also, Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) advances South Coast commuter rail project; and Tri-County Metropolitan Transportation District of Oregon (TriMet) begins decommissioning its Type 1 light rail vehicles.

Anthony Coscia (left), Normal, Ill., Mayor Christopher Koos (center), and Joel Szabat (second from right) have been confirmed as members of the Amtrak Board of Directors, which sets policy and oversees the management and strategic direction of “America’s Railroad.” (Screen grab from video of U.S. Senate Commerce Committee nomination hearing held June 23, 2023)

Transit Briefs: Amtrak, NJ Transit, TriMet

The U.S. Senate confirms the nominations for three Amtrak Board members. Also, New Jersey Transit plans a systemwide fare increase, the first since 2015; and Tri-County Metropolitan Transportation District of Oregon (TriMet) proposes replacing late-night MAX light rail with buses and streamlining MAX stations in downtown Portland to speed service.

TriMet’s “A Better Red” project to completely replace the Portland International Airport MAX station and install a second track along the alignment, between the new station and Air Cargo Road, has hit its halfway mark. (TriMet Photograph)

Transit Briefs: LACMTA, MDOT, Metrolinx, SEPTA, Trillium Line, TriMet

A recent poll finds community support for Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority’s (LACMTA) C Line (Green) extension to Torrance, Calif. Also, Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT) and Maryland Economic Development Corporation (MEDCO) team on a new approach to transit-oriented development; the Ontario, Canada, government is investing in infrastructure upgrades at Metrolinx’s Aurora GO Station; six of Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority’s (SEPTA) 1940s-era PCC cars will return to service next month; the DMU Trillium Line’s hand-over to the city of Ottawa, Ontario, has been delayed again; and Tri-County Metropolitan Transportation District of Oregon (TriMet) is on schedule to reopen the MAX Red Line on Oct. 22.

The New Jersey Herald on Aug. 8 reported that New Jersey Rep. Josh Gottheimer, U.S. Rep. Matt Cartwright (D-Pa.) and Amtrak officials visited the future Andover, N.J., station site, to which New Jersey Transit will run commuter rail service and from which Amtrak will operate intercity passenger rail service to Scranton, Pa.

Transit Briefs: Amtrak/NJT, NYMTA, TriMet, WMATA

Amtrak and New Jersey Transit’s (NJT) passenger rail service project between Andover, N.J., and Scranton, Pa., is advancing. Also, New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) launches an all-in-one mobile app for trip planning and service information; Tri-County Metropolitan Transportation District of Oregon (TriMet) leases a new office space; and the latest Washington Metrorail Safety Commission report highlights Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) missteps.

FTA earlier this month asked MBTA to revise and resubmit 12 corrective action plans “pertaining to hiring challenges, safety procedures and rail transit operations,” according to a Dec. 8 Sentinel & Enterprise report.

Transit Briefs: MBTA, PANY/NJ, SFMTA, TriMet, VPRA, WMATA

The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) has asked Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) to resubmit 12 corrective action plans addressing required safety improvements. Also, the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey (PANY/NJ) has issued a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) to replace AirTrain Newark with a new 2.5-mile elevated guideway train system; San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency (SFMTA) will offer Central Subway system riders wireless connectivity; Tri-County Metropolitan Transportation District of Oregon (TriMet) and the Small Business Administration (SBA) form a strategic alliance; Virginia Passenger Rail Authority (VPRA) and Amtrak celebrated 10 years of service between Norfolk and Washington, D.C.; and Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority’s (WMATA) long-awaited Potomac Yard Station is slated to open in May 2023.

Artist’s rendering showing an aerial view of Ontario Line’s Exhibition Station on Toronto’s west side. (Image Courtesy of Metrolinx)

Transit Briefs: Metrolinx, SCVTA, TriMet

Canada’s Infrastructure Ontario and Metrolinx have awarded a fixed-price contract to Ontario Transit Group for the Ontario Line Southern Civil, Stations and Tunnel (South Civil) package. Also, Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (SCVTA) in California is beginning work on two long-range transportation plans; and Tri-County Metropolitan Transportation District of Oregon (TriMet) is eying a fare increase in January 2024.

Brightline West is seeking to build a 49-mile high-speed rail system through the Cajon Pass, linking Victor Valley, Calif., and Rancho Cucamonga, Calif., according to an environmental assessment recently released by the FRA.

Transit Briefs: Brightline West, NYMTA, TriMet, WMATA

The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) releases an environmental assessment of Brightline West’s proposed 49-mile Cajon Pass High-Speed Rail system. Also, the Society of American Military Engineers, New York City post, recognizes New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) for improving accessibility; Tri-County Metropolitan Transportation District of Oregon (TriMet) maintains a top bond rating; and Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) reopens six stations following an eight-week shutdown of rail service south of Reagan National Airport.