Wikipedia/Trevor Logan photo

Transit Briefs: PANYNJ, TTC, CTA

The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey (PANYNJ) Board of Commissioners approves $8.3 billion 2023 budget. Also, Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) recognizes the second Transit Worker Assault Awareness Day; and Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) employees donate and assemble more than 600 food boxes in 2022 for local families.

Transit Briefs: SEPTA, MARTA, TTC

The Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) approves ZeroEyes artificial intelligence (A.I.) gun detection pilot program. Also, the Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA) updates the high-capacity transit alternative for Clayton County from commuter rail to bus rapid transit (BRT); and the Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) lifts COVID-19 vaccination policy.

The Virginia Passenger Rail Authority (VPRA) and Amtrak on Oct. 31 celebrated five years of service to Roanoke, Va.

Transit Briefs: Amtrak, TECO, TTC, WMATA, USPS

Amtrak celebrates a Roanoke, Va., service milestone, and partners with First National Bank of Omaha to launch two Guest Rewards credit cards. Also, TECO Line Streetcar marks 20 years of service; Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) is upgrading streetcar and bus fare-card readers; Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) sets Nov. 15 as opening day for the Silver Line extension; and the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) reveals 2023 stamp designs that include “noteworthy railroad stations.”

MARTA General Manager and CEO Collie Greenwood (left); and Jack Dale Parliament (right), former D&I Railroad President and Small Railroad Committee Founder, who died Oct. 23.

People News

Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA) confirms Collie Greenwood as General Manager and CEO. Also, Jack Dale Parliament, former D&I Railroad President and Small Railroad Committee Founder, has died. He was 66.

VIA Rail is adding “buffer cars at the front and back end of all trains with [older] stainless steel equipment to reduce the consequences in the unlikely event of a train-to-train collision,” Canada’s government-owned passenger railroad told The Globe and Mail. This safety measure will remain until older cars can be reinforced and new Siemens trainsets (pictured) enter service. (Photograph Courtesy of VIA Rail Canada)

Transit Briefs: TTC, VIA Rail, WMATA, BART/MTC

The Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) selects AECOM as owner’s engineer for the Bloor-Yonge Station Capacity Improvements project. Also, VIA Rail Canada is adding “buffer” cars to some trains to improve safety; Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA/Metro) reports that next month the Silver Line extension will be operationally ready to open, but it’s unclear if more 7000-series railcars will be approved for release to support it; and San Francisco Bay Rapid Transit District (BART) and the Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC) report a plastic Clipper® fare-card shortage.

UTA on Oct. 17 began auctioning off its 25 Comet cars, which were retired from FrontRunner commuter rail service earlier this year. Bidding ends Nov. 1.

Transit Briefs: CTA, LACMTA, Metra, TTC, UTA, Valley Link

The Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) issues monthly “scorecards” on service performance. Also, the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (LACMTA) releases Draft Environmental Impact Report for a proposed gondola to Dodger Stadium; Chicago’s Metra awards Homewood Station renovation contract; Toronto Transit Commission on Oct. 19 is hosting a “TTC Connects: Women as Transit Operators” virtual information session; Utah Transit Authority (UTA) is auctioning 25 Comet cars; and the Tri-Valley-San Joaquin Valley Regional Rail Authority Board advances the Valley Link passenger rail project in California.

ENSCO Rail to Test Stadler DMUs at TTC

ENSCO Rail has reached an agreement with Salt Lake City, Utah-based Stadler US Inc., to conduct operational testing on Stadler FLIRT diesel multiple-unit (DMU) trainsets for Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) at

Commentary

TTC’s Second Half-Century: An Expanded Role

A short drive east of Pueblo, Colo., north of the Arkansas River, flanked by the Sangre de Christo Mountains, and surrounded by shortgrass prairie, lies the Transportation Technology Center, the Federal Railroad

On Sept. 11, the first two of 72 Kawasaki-built rapid transit cars for the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey’s PATH system arrived at Port Newark via a Ro-ro vessel originating in Japan. (Credit: PANYNJ)

Transit Briefs: CA, CTrail, MARTA, NJT, NYCT, PATH, SacRt, TTC

Wellness centers will be deployed at all California transit agencies. Also, a new CTrail- and Amtrak-served train station and roadway safety and track improvement project is under way in Windsor Locks, Conn.; Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA) outlines Streetcar East Extension project; New Jersey Transit (NJT) teams with BetMGM on rail line naming rights; MTA New York City Transit (NYCT) graduates subway train operators; PATH’s first two new Kawasaki-built rapid transit cars arrive from Japan; Sacramento Regional Transit (SacRT) offers a ride-free week in celebration of California Clean Air Day; and Toronto Transit Commission will recognize Canada’s National Day of Mourning.

The Trial Running testing phase is the final series of testing before Honolulu's rail system goes into operation.

Transit Briefs: HART, Metra, Oregon Metro, MBTA, Metrolinx, TTC, CTA, MDOT MTA, VTA-BART

The Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transit (HART) announces Trial Running testing phase for the first segment of Honolulu’s rail system. Also, Metra adds service on its Union Pacific Northwest (UP-NW) Line and capacity on Metra Electric for Bike the Drive; Oregon Metro seeks proposals for 2023 Regional Transportation Plan community partnerships; Gov. Charlie Baker says Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) Orange Line “on track” to finish on time; Metrolinx’s GO Train service to Niagara Falls continues year-round; The Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) increases service as more customers return to transit; Chicago Transit Authority’s (CTA) “Ask CTA” program to foster engagement with customers; The Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT) Maryland Transit Administration (MTA) brings real-time train arrival information to Light Rail; and innovative design suggestions surface for the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority’s (VTA) Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) Silicon Valley Extension Phase II project.

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