Virginia Passenger Rail Authority

MTA photo

Transit Briefs: NYMTA, LA Metro, Amtrak/CSX/VRE

The New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) completes renovation of the J/Z line section of the Sutphin Avenue JFK Airport subway station, as part of New York City Transit’s (NYCT) Re-NEW-vation campaign. Also, LA Metro launches Equity Information Hub; and the State of Virginia partners with Amtrak, CSX and Virginia Railway Express (VRE) on the Long Bridge project.

(Maryland DOT Photograph)

MARC Eyes Two-State Expansion Project

The Maryland Department of Transportation – Maryland Transit Administration (MDOT MTA) on April 13 signed framework agreements with Delaware Transit Corp. and Virginia Passenger Rail Authority for the potential future expansion of MARC (Maryland Area Rail Commuter) Train service to Newark, Del., and Alexandria, Va.

The $47 million Newport News Transportation Center (rendering above) is slated to open in late 2023. Partnering on the project are the city of Newport News, Virginia Passenger Rail Authority, Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation, and Virginia Department of Transportation.

Virginia Advances Passenger Rail Expansion Plans

Virginia’s New River Valley Passenger Rail Service Extension and Newport News Transportation Center projects will receive a combined $3.2 million in federal funding to move forward, the Virginia Passenger Rail Authority (VPRA) reported on Jan. 17.

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.

Map of the “Transforming Rail in Virginia” initiative

CSX Selects Michael Baker to Lead ‘Transforming Rail in Virginia’ Initiative

Engineering, planning and consulting services firm Michael Baker International announced Nov. 17 that it has been selected by CSX, which operates more than 2,000 miles of track throughout the state of Virginia, to lead program and construction management for significant rail enhancement projects as part of the Transforming Rail in Virginia (TRV) initiative.

SacRT has teamed with the Sacramento Public Library to launch the area’s first library train. (Photograph Courtesy of SacRT)

Transit Briefs: Amtrak/VPRA, DART/DCTA, Metrolinx, SacRT, Sound Transit

Amtrak’s Virginia route ridership hit record highs last month. Also, Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) and Denton County Transportation Authority (DCTA) in Texas are launching a joint rail operations facility; Metrolinx is employing Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design on its Finch West light rail transit (LRT) project in northwest Toronto; Sacramento Regional Transit (SacRT) riders can sit back and read on the new Library Train in California; and the Fare Ambassador program at Sound Transit in Seattle, Wash., is now permanent.

Jennifer DeBruhl, Virginia DRPT Director
  • News

People News: DRPT, RTD, COMTO, WAGO

The Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation (DRPT) appoints Jennifer DeBruhl Director. Also, the Colorado Women’s Chamber of Commerce (CWCC) names Regional Transportation District (RTD) Board Director Angie Rivera-Malpiede among the

The Western Rail Initiative in Virginia calls for an additional round-trip train to Roanoke (launching July 11, 2022), and an extension of service from Roanoke to Christiansburg in the New River Valley following infrastructure improvements.

Virginia Moves Forward on New River Valley Rail Plan

The Virginia Passenger Rail Authority (VPRA) and Norfolk Southern (NS) on June 30 announced the financial closing of a deal that will expand commonwealth-supported Amtrak service from Washington, D.C., to Roanoke and to the New River Valley.