VTA

Far Rockaway-Mott Av is the 29th station to be enhanced with an upcoming refurbishment planned at Pelham Bay Park on the line.

Transit Briefs: NYMTA, MARTA, SMART, VTA/BART, Miami-Dade County/Brightline

The New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) completes renovation at Far Rockaway-Mott Av subway station as part of New York City Transit’s (NYCT) Re-NEW-vation campaign. Also, the Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA) partners with Kia and Hyundai to prevent vehicle theft at rail stations; Sonoma-Marin Area Rail Transit (SMART) releases its proposed budget for public review; Valley Transportation Authority’s (VTA) Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) Silicon Valley Phase II Extension Project prepares for early construction activities at Newhall Yard; and Miami-Dade County completes the Project Development phase of the New Starts program for its Northeast Corridor (NEC) rail service between downtown Miami and Aventura, according to Brightline.

CalSTA announced a $46 million state grant for VTA's East San Jose Light Rail Extension.

CalSTA: $690MM for Public Transportation Projects

The California State Transportation Agency (CalSTA) on April 24 announced an award of more than $690 million to 28 new public transportation projects in disadvantaged communities to “close out the first wave of a historic infusion of state funding to expand transit and passenger rail service throughout the state, helping to cut planet-warming pollution.”

Alstom's Coradia iLint hydrogen-powered train will carry passengers on Quebec's Réseau Charlevoix rail network this summer.

Transit Briefs: Alstom, VTA, PRT, MaineDOT

Alstom’s first hydrogen-powered passenger train will demonstrate green traction in Quebec. Also, the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) wins first place in the American Public Transportation Association’s (APTA) 2023 AdWheel Awards for communications and marketing; Pittsburgh Regional Transit (PRT) is offering bulk transit passes in pilot program; and the Maine Department of Transportation (MaineDOT) proposes $3 million for a pilot project for passenger rail service between Rockland and Brunswick.

CalSTA awarded Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) $375 million for the six-mile, four-station BART Silicon Valley Phase II Extension Project that will bring BART service to downtown San Jose and Santa Clara. Project completion is scheduled for 2033.

CalSTA Awards $2.5B for Rail Transit Projects

San Francisco Bay Area Rapid Transit District (BART) and Peninsula Corridor Joint Powers Board (Caltrain) are among the 14 California agencies that will share $2.515 billion in TIRCP (Transit and Intercity Rail Capital Program) grants from CalSTA (California State Transportation Agency) for rail-related projects.

Brightline is teaming with Uber to help get passenger rail riders to and from all five of its South Florida stations (Miami, Aventura, Fort Lauderdale, Boca Raton and West Palm Beach).

Transit Briefs: Brightline, CTA, NYMTA, VRE, VTA

Brightline, Florida’s private-sector passenger railroad, partners with Uber. Also, Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) awards a four-year property maintenance contract as part of its Red Line Extension project; New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) selects Skanska to improve passenger circulation at Grand Central-42nd Street Station; Virginia Railway Express (VRE) seeks approval for Fiscal Year 2024 operating and capital budget; and Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) provides free Transit app upgrade to all riders.

“Our new fare capping policy will save our customers money and ensure that no one overpays,” LACMTA CEO Stephanie Wiggins said on Dec. 2. (LACMTA Photo, Via Twitter)

Transit Briefs: LACMTA, NCDOT/Amtrak, OLI, VTA

The Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (LACMTA) Board approves a new fare policy. Also, the North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) completes the first phase of construction for a new Amtrak station in Charlotte; Operation Lifesaver, Inc. (OLI) awards more than $140,000 in grants to eight transit agencies in six states; and Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) receives authority to pursue federal funding for up to 50% of the cost of Phase II of the BART Silicon Valley Extension Project.

Brightline President Patrick Goddard, Miami-Dade County (Fla.) Commissioner Sally Heyman and Aventura (Fla.) Mayor Enid Weisman hosted a “first look” at the near-complete Aventura station. (Photograph and Caption Courtesy of Brightline)

Transit Briefs: Amtrak, Brightline, VTA

The Southern Rail Commission and Transportation for America on Nov. 3 hosted a stakeholder meeting to discuss potential I-20 corridor passenger rail service. Also, Florida’s Brightline on Nov. 2 offered a “sneak peak” of its Adventura station, slated to open this year; and Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) has submitted a request to the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) to transition the BART Silicon Valley Phase II Extension project to the New Starts program.

BART Add Fare Machines inside stations, which also serve as parking payment machines, now accept credit and debit cards.

Transit Briefs: BART, Amtrak, SEPTA, HART, MTC, NJ Transit

Bay Area Rapid Transit’s (BART) Add Fare machines undergo major upgrades to improve customer experience. Also, Amtrak trains could be coming into the Miami Intermodal Center; the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) breaks ground on new accessibility project at Tasker-Morris Station; the Honolulu Authority for Rail Transportation (HART) and Hitachi Rail run small-scale exercise drills in partnership with the city’s first responders; the Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC) adopts a new Transit-Oriented Communities Policy to promote commercial development near transit stations; and NJ Transit rolls out two initiatives as part of its ongoing Safety Education Program.

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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