The MBTA has launched a Speed Restrictions Dashboard that will provide riders with up-to-date information on speed restrictions across the agency's system. (Image Courtesy of MBTA)

Transit Briefs: MBTA, SEPTA, TTC, VIA Rail, NJ Transit, BART, PANYNJ

The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) launches online Speed Restrictions Dashboard; awards contract for major track and signal upgrades at South Station; and invites public comment on the proposed Capital Investment Plan (CIP) for Fiscal Years 2024-2028. Also, the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) awards design contract for Broad Street Line ADA Improvement project and approves proposal to install new fare gates; the Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) formerly ends token sales; VIA Rail Canada (VIA Rail) improves diversity and inclusion policies; NJ Transit advances improvements at Mahwah Station; Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) moves forward with purchase of fare gates to be installed systemwide; and the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey (PANYNJ) advances plan to replace AirTrain Newark with selection of three firms as part of multi-phase procurement process.

Canada Launches HFR RFQ

The Canadian Government has issued an RFQ (Request for Qualifications) for the High Frequency Rail (HFR) project for the Québec City-Trois-Rivières-Montréal-Ottawa-Peterborough-Toronto corridor.

VIA Seeks New L-D Rolling Stock

VIA Rail Canada announced Jan. 27 that it intends to renew its existing long-distance (L-D, regional and remote-territory fleet and has issued a formal Request for Information (RFI) for a supplier to “design, manufacture, test, supply, deliver and commission cars and motive power and ancillary equipment (onboard and offboard) with a prescribed capacity of car types (coaches, sleepers, diners, multi-purpose, baggage)” through the open competitive procurement process known as the “Long Distance Regional and Remote Fleet Renewal Project.”

On March 7, Amtrak will be adding a second round-trip train between Seattle and Vancouver, B.C., restoring the Cascades line to pre-pandemic levels. (Photo Courtesy of Amtrak)

Transit Briefs: Amtrak, NJ Transit

Amtrak to restore full service on the Cascade line to pre-pandemic levels. Also, NJ Transit expands Student Discount Program to include part-time students.

“Despite weather events and a freight train derailment beyond our control, it is clear that lessons will be learned, and changes will be made,” Martin R. Landry, interim President and CEO of VIA Rail Canada said in a Jan. 10 statement.

VIA Rail Canada Issues Mea Culpa

“We didn’t meet your expectations and for that we apologize,” Martin R. Landry, interim President and CEO of VIA Rail Canada said in a Jan. 10 statement to riders regarding travel disruptions between Dec. 23 and Dec. 26 that he attributed to a “severe winter storm along with the derailment of a freight train” on host freight railroad CN.

Amtrak Siemens Venture Car Headed for Canadian Test

During the week of Dec. 5 2022, Union Pacific and CN operated a dedicated train of a single Siemens Mobility “Venture” car from the Amtrak fleet from California to Canada. The coach

New York MTA on Nov. 30 said it “needs to boost fares above its expected 4% hike and may be forced to cut service and implement layoffs if state and city lawmakers fail to direct more aid to the system to help fix an estimated $3 billion deficit in 2025,” according to a Bloomberg report. (Photograph Courtesy of MTA)

Transit Briefs: NYMTA, Sound Transit, VIA Rail

The New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) has released its proposed 2023 budget and four-year financial plan. Also, live-wire testing continues for Sound Transit’s East Link light rail line, which will extend 14 miles from downtown Seattle to Redmond, Wash.; and VIA Rail Canada has released a third-quarter 2022 report and entered into a long-term agreement with CGI for work on its new online reservation system.

RailVision Founder and CEO Dev Jain. (Photo: Business Wire)

RailVision Secures $4MM in Seed Funding

Canada-based RailVision Analytics, which was launched in 2020 with the objective of “helping the railway industry reduce its fuel consumption and lower greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions,” announced Nov. 30 that it has closed a $4 million seed funding round from investors to be used for technical hiring, growing the company’s development team, and expanding its product line and customer base.

Pictured: CN’s Senior Director Operational Technology Luc Fiset and Chief, Technology and Supply Chain Rahim Karmali accepting the RAC 2022 Safety Award from RAC President and CEO Marc Brazeau. (Photograph Courtesy of CN, via Twitter)

RAC Recognizes Members for Safety

Five Railway Association of Canada (RAC) members have earned awards for their commitment to safety.

(Marc A. Hermann / MTA)

Transit Briefs: NYMTA, BART, WMATA, VIA Rail

Metropolitan Transportation Authority’s (MTA) New York City Transit (NYCT) announces graduation of 84 new train operators and 10 new conductors and continues its annual tradition of Holiday Nostalgia Rides. Also, new illuminated artwork brings the sky to Bay Area Rapid Transit’s (BART) Powell St. Station; the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) launches new gate prototype to prevent fare evasion; and VIA Rail Canada (VIA Rail) extends pilot project to reduce fuel consumption.

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