AAR: North American Rail Volume Down Through 23 Weeks

For the first 23 weeks of 2023 (ending June 10), total U.S. weekly rail traffic dipped 4.2% from the same point last year, according to the Association of American Railroads’ (AAR) June 14 report. Both Canada and the U.S. saw declines, while Mexico saw an increase.

Photo Courtesy of STM, City of Montrea

Transit Briefs: STM, Tri-Rail, Keolis, NYMTA, TriMet

The Société de transport de Montréal (STM), along with the City of Montreal and the Montreal police (SPVM), launches campaign calling on witnesses to help prevent harassment in public spaces. Also, south Florida’s Tri-Rail commuter railroad’s estimated downtown Miami service start date gets pushed back; Massachusetts lawmakers urge Gov. Maura Healey to start preparations for Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority’s (MBTA) next Commuter Rail operations contract; the New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) completes renovation at Kings Highway F Station; and a partnership between TriMet and Multnomah County breathes new life into an underused park & ride in Gresham, Oreg.

APTA: Public Transit Agencies Face ‘Severe’ Fiscal Cliff

One-half of 122 responding agencies say they are facing a Fiscal Cliff in the next five years, according to a May 2023 American Public Transportation Association (APTA) survey on future potential operating budget shortfalls that many of its public transit agency members are facing.

“These awards highlight the dedication and hard work of individuals and organizations that strive to ensure the safety and well-being of passengers, employees, and the communities they serve,” said APTA President and CEO Paul P. Skoutelas.

APTA Announces 2023 Rail Safety, Security and Emergency Management Winners (UPDATED June 14)

The American Public Transportation Association (APTA) on June 13 honored nine public transportation providers from California, Georgia, Louisiana, New York, Oregon and Texas with the 2023 Rail Safety, Security and Emergency Management Awards.

Amtrak Issues FY22 Sustainability Report

Amtrak has published a sustainability report for FY 2022, detailing the railroad’s reduced diesel usage and air emissions, alongside increased purchases of carbon-free energy.

BART Selects Parsons to Continue Engineering Services Through 2028

Parsons Corporation announced June 12 that the company was selected by Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) to continue delivering general engineering services (GES) to the transit agency through 2028 as part of a five-year, $40 million task order contract (TOC).

OCTA Approves $1.7B Budget for FY23-24

The Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA) Board of Directors on June 12 approved a balanced budget of $1.7 billion for the upcoming fiscal year that begins July 1.

InvadingInvader Wikimedia Commons

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).

NTSB photo

FRA Releases Supplemental Advisory Related to Hot Bearing Wayside Detectors

The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) on June 9 announced that it has made an additional recommendation to Safety Advisory 2023-01, originally published on March 3, addressing the use and maintenance of hot

MBTA Approves $2.7B FY24 Budget

The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) Board of Directors on June 8 voted to approve a $2.7 billion operating budget for Fiscal Year 2024 (FY24) that “will sustain levels of service while making strategic investments in safety, staffing and hiring, key capital investments, including station and accessibility needs, and design work required for a future connection of the Red and Blue lines,” according to the agency.

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