• June 12, 2023
• Passenger

Transit Briefs: BART/SFMTA, WMATA, UTA, HART

California’s state budget will include a $1.1 billion bailout for Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART), the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency (SFMTA), and Bay Area transit agencies. Also, service improvements on the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority’s (WMATA) Red Line begins with more service and fare improvements coming this month; the Utah Transit Authority (UTA) announces Rider’s License for young passengers; and the Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation (HART) delivers Segment 1 of the Honolulu Rail Project to the City and County of Honolulu Department of Transportation Services (DTS).

• June 06, 2023
• Passenger

Transit Briefs: Maryland DOT MTA, MBTA, NYMTA, OCTA, WMATA

The Maryland Department of Transportation Maryland Transit Administration (Maryland DOT MTA) updates its rail and bus operator pay structure to boost recruitment. Also, Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) submits a revised track worker safety plan to the Federal Transit Administration (FTA); New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) will test safety doors on subway platforms; Orange County (Calif.) Transportation Authority (OCTA) unveils a $57.3 billion long-range transportation plan; and Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) launches income-qualified reduced fare program.

• June 02, 2023
• News

What Is Northern Virginia Transit’s Value to the Commonwealth?

Without transit in Northern Virginia, income and sales tax revenue in the commonwealth would drop by approximately $1.5 billion in 2025, representing a 5% decrease in general fund revenue, according to a new study released by the Northern Virginia Transportation Commission (NVTC).

• May 23, 2023
• Passenger

Transit Briefs: Amtrak, GO Transit, NNEPRA, VRE, WMATA

Amtrak is expanding Northeast Regional service. Also, GO Transit adds 12 roundtrips per week between Toronto’s Union Station and Niagara Falls, Ontario; Northern New England Passenger Rail Authority (NNEPRA), which oversees Amtrak Downeaster service, selects an advertising agency of record; Virginia Railway Express (VRE) will offer fare-free Fridays this summer; and Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) is seeking rider feedback on the look, layout and features of its new 8000 series rapid transit cars, to be built by Hitachi Rail.

• May 19, 2023
• Passenger

Transit Briefs: Amtrak, CTA, TransLink/TTC, WMATA

Amtrak and the North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) are boosting Piedmont service between Charlotte and Raleigh. Also, Chicago Transit Authority’s (CTA) Transit-Supportive Development Plan for the Red Line Extension project has been adopted; Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) and Vancouver’s TransLink wrap up a pilot testing the effectiveness of antimicrobial copper coatings on high-touch vehicle services; TTC opens a community office ahead of construction at the Bloor-Yonge Station; and Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) celebrates the grand opening of its 98th station.

• May 08, 2023
• Passenger

Transit Briefs: SFMTA, WMATA, TTC, Caltrain

The San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency (SFMTA) announces that rider satisfaction is the highest it has been in 10 years. Also, Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority’s (WMATA) Yellow Line train service resumes; the Toronto Transit Commission’s 504A King streetcar resumes service; and Caltrain awards construction contract for Mountain View Transit Center Grade Separation and Access Project.

• April 20, 2023
• Passenger

Transit Briefs: Austin’s Project Connect, Metra, Metrolinx, Tri-Rail, Sound Transit, STM, WMATA

The Austin (Tex.) Transit Partnership awards light rail planning and design contracts for Project Connect. Also, Metra’s Chicagoland commuter rail stations will offer train-tracking and schedule updates on new video monitors; Metrolinx provides an official “first look” at GO Trains on the Davenport Diamond Guideway in Toronto; South Florida Regional Transportation Authority (SFRTA) reveals a new Tri-Rail train wrap; Seattle’s Sound Transit receives a loan to finance its South Sounder Access Improvement Project; residents of the agglomeration of Montréal aged 65 and over will soon ride free on Société de transport de Montréal (STM) transit services; and Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) announces the launch date of its 98th rapid transit station.

• April 17, 2023
• Rapid Transit

Metro Board of Directors Approves WMATA’s $4.8B FY24 Budget

The Metro Board of Directors on April 14 approved the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority’s (WMATA) $4.8 billion capital and operating budget for fiscal year (FY) 2024, which supports the agency’s “increased rail and bus services, simplifies fares for customers, creates a new low-income fare program, caps MetroAccess fares at $4, and enhances safety measures.”

• April 13, 2023
• Rapid Transit

WMATA Advances Final Phase of 7,000-Series Return-to-Service Plan

The Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) on April 12 announced concurrence from the Washington Metrorail Safety Commission (WSMC) that allows the agency to move to the final phase of its 7,000-series Return-to-Service Plan.

• April 11, 2023
• Passenger

Transit Briefs: WMATA, Amtrak

Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority’s (WMATA) Transit Police leaders graduate from DC Police Leadership Academy (DCPLA). Also, Oklahoma officials want to expand Amtrak’s Heartland Flyer into Kansas.