Tri-County Metropolitan Transportation District of Oregon

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.

Work is under way to extend central Florida’s SunRail commuter rail service 12.2 miles north. (SunRail)

Transit Briefs: SunRail, Amtrak, Brightline, CTA, LACMTA, TriMet

STV is providing engineering design services for the Florida Department of Transportation’s (FDOT) SunRail extension project. Also, Amtrak continues work on station accessibility improvements; Brightline, Florida’s private-sector passenger railroad, will sell up to $1 billion of tax-free debt to cover its extension to Orlando; Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) is working on an equitable transit-oriented development plan for the 95th Street corridor; Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (LACMTA) is studying three light rail options for the 4.5-mile C Line extension; and Tri-County Metropolitan Transportation District of Oregon (TriMet) has extended its contract with the Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU) 757.

The TriMet Board has approved a $1.93 billion FY 2023 budget.

Transit Briefs: Metrolinx, SEPTA, Shore Line East, TriMet, Valley Metro

Metrolinx selected Ricardo Certification to perform safety assessments for the GO Expansion project in Toronto; SEPTA (Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority) released three options for its Reimagining Regional Rail project; Connecticut’s Shore Line East commuter rail is now operating M8 Electric Multiple Units (EMU); the Board of Directors for Tri-County Metropolitan Transportation District of Oregon (TriMet) approved the FY 2023 budget; and Valley Metro launched its Tempe (Ariz.) Streetcar system.

It took more than 35 years, but TriMet’s MAX Train 120 has traveled the equivalent of the world’s entire rail network—twice.

Watch: TriMet MAX Train Marks 2MM Miles

Tri-County Metropolitan Transportation District of Oregon’s (TriMet) MAX Train 120 surpassed 2 million miles of service this month—the equivalent of traveling the world’s entire rail network, twice—the agency reported.

For TriMet, $289.1MM ARP Grant

The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) has awarded the Tri-County Metropolitan Transportation District of Oregon (TriMet) a $289.1 million grant for COVID-19 response under the American Rescue Plan (ARP) Act of 2021.

Bonnie Todd, incoming COO, TriMet

TriMet Appoints Bonnie Todd COO

Tri-County Metropolitan Transportation District of Oregon (TriMet) has named Bonnie Todd COO; she is the first woman to hold the agency’s top operating job.

Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) is launching a Transit Supportive Community Development program along corridors with frequent transit service—not just near stations. (Photo credit: University City District)

Transit Briefs: BART, SEPTA, TriMet

Bay Area Rapid Transit is initiating a “Free BART Rides for School Field Trips” pilot program. In addition, Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) is launching a Transit Supportive Community Development program along corridors with frequent transit service, not just near stations; and Tri-County Metropolitan Transportation District of Oregon (TriMet) has maintained a top bond rating and rolled out new sustainability bonds.