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.

UTA Rider of the Month

Rider of the Month: Dad, IT Guy and Transit Enthusiast

Lori Champneys, FrontRunner commuter rail Train Host at Utah Transit Authority (UTA), nominated the agency’s October Rider of the Month.

Transit Briefs: MARTA, MBTA, Metra, Muni, NYMTA, TransLink, UTA

Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA) supports National Voter Registration Day (Sept. 20). Also, Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) issues a Student Edition of its Rider’s Guide; Chicago’s Metra extends its $100 flat-rate monthly pass through year-end; San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency (SFMTA) remains “optimistic” about Muni’s Central Subway extension opening in 2022; New York MTA trains and buses are now “mask optional” for riders; Metro Vancouver’s TransLink launches “Back-to-School, Back-to-Transit” campaign; and Utah Transit Authority (UTA) provides free transit passes to all K-12 students, faculty and staff in the Salt Lake City School District.

Pictured: Alstom’s Innovia automated people movers carrying riders at Dallas Fort Worth International Airport.

Transit Briefs: DFW, TransLink, Metrolink, Metrolinx, UTA, VIA Rail, WMATA

Alstom has landed a 10-year people-mover contract with Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW). Also, Metrolink locomotives powering regional/commuter rail service in Southern California are now using renewable fuel; Metrolinx is upgrading the Mimico GO Station in Toronto; Vancouver’s TransLink is launching in-tunnel video advertising; Utah Transit Authority on April 18 is taking out of service its FrontRunner Comet cars; VIA Rail Canada is resuming most services by the end of June; and Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) has teamed with MITRE to improve its safety management system.

UTA on Oct. 25 is celebrating the grand opening of the Salt Lake City International Airport station on the TRAX Green Line. (Photo Courtesy of Mike Christensen, Executive Director, Utah Rail Passengers Association, via Twitter)

Transit Briefs: Amtrak/PennDOT; MTA Metro-North; Metrolinx; UTA

Construction of a new Coatesville, Pa., station, serving Amtrak’s Keystone Corridor and Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA), will soon be under way. In addition, MTA Metro-North Railroad has launched the TrainTime app for Apple Watch; Toronto-area regional transit agency Metrolinx is running a contactless payment option pilot on UP Express; and Utah Transit Authority’s (UTA) TRAX light rail now stops at the Salt Lake City airport.

The South Valley Transit Study team, which includes UTA, has evaluated options for providing “high-capacity transit service” between Provo and Santaquin in the southern part of Utah County.

Transit Briefs: UTA, TransLink, SEPTA, CTDOT

Utah Transit Authority’s (UTA) FrontRunner commuter rail service may expand from Provo to Payson. In addition, metro Vancouver’s TransLink has released the first full draft of Transport 2050, the region’s 30-year transportation strategy; Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) has selected Huitt-Zollars, Inc. for an 18-month study to create a regional rail network plan; and Connecticut will evaluate Aira, a service providing public transit assistance to individuals who are blind or have low vision.

Metrolinx’s now-open Bloomington GO Station in York Region at Highway 404 and Bloomington Road extends the Richmond Hill line approximately 3 miles north.

Transit Briefs: Metrolinx, MDOT MTA, UTA, VIA Rail

Toronto-area regional transit agency Metrolinx has opened the Bloomington GO Station, part of the Richmond Hill Line; the Maryland Department of Transportation Maryland Transit Administration (MDOT MTA) has launched a real-time digital signage pilot program; the Utah Transit Authority Board of Trustees has approved a new contract with the Utah Division of Air Quality for “free fare days,” according to the Daily Herald; and VIA Rail Canada (VIA Rail) will increase service on the Québec City-Windsor corridor starting July 12.

SEPTA’s “Virtual Women Building SEPTA - Trades & Technical Career Fair” will be held June 26.

Transit Briefs: SEPTA, UTA

The Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) is holding a virtual career fair to recruit women working in skilled trades or technical fields. In addition, the Utah Transit Authority (UTA) is no longer under federal “monitorship.”

Carolyn Gonot, incoming General Manager and CEO, Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA)

Gonot to Lead Santa Clara VTA

Carolyn Gonot will return to California’s Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) on July 12—this time serving as General Manager and CEO.

Dallas Area Rapid Transit, along with agencies in Illinois, Maryland, Nevada, Pennsylvania and Utah, will deploy technologies that “assess, detect, monitor and track deficiencies related to infrastructure” and evaluate the technologies’ “cost-effectiveness and practicality,” according to FTA.

FTA Awards $1.37MM for Asset Management Projects

The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) is distributing $1.37 million in grants among six transit agencies for projects that demonstrate and evaluate innovative technologies to maintain a state of good repair.

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