Transit Briefs: MARTA, Metra
The Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA) unveils a new online trip planner. Also, Metra schedules 40 safety blitzes in 2025.
The Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA) unveils a new online trip planner. Also, Metra schedules 40 safety blitzes in 2025.
“We continued to experience solid demand for our assets globally,” GATX President and CEO said Robert C. Lyons said during a report on first-quarter 2025 financials, which included Rail North America fleet utilization of 99.2% and a renewal success rate of 85.1%.
The Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) ratifies agreements with three unions. Also, Amtrak advances upgrades at two western Pennsylvania stations; the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) selects a developer for the future mixed-use buildings at Deanwood Metro Station; and first-quarter 2025 brings big gains for Bay Area transit agencies.
Ports of Indiana and Metro Ports have signed a five-year extension of their bulk terminal operating agreement at Ports of Indiana-Burns Harbor, “reaffirming both organizations’ commitment to growing bulk cargo operations and providing industry-leading customer service at Indiana’s Lake Michigan port.”
The Traffic Club of Chicago (TCC) on Thursday, May 15, will host its 177th Annual Dinner in the Aon Grand Ballroom at Chicago’s Navy Pier. U.S. Navy retired Commander Frank Weisser, a former U.S. Navy Blue Angels pilot; decorated combat veteran; and Stunt Pilot for the Top Gun: Maverick movie, was chosen as this year’s speaker because of his “career focused on discipline, leadership, and resilience—qualities that resonate within the transportation and logistics industries,” according to the TCC.
Midland Manufacturing, part of OPW’s Fluid Transfer Solutions business unit and Dover, on April 15 announced the launch of its Gauge Device Online Tool, which, according to the company, enables railcar manufacturers
NJ Transit President and CEO Kris Kolluri provides a statement regarding the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers & Trainmen (BLET) vote on a tentative agreement. Also, Denver Regional Transportation District (RTD) launches a third round of Partnership Program funding; a new fare compliance strategy results in more San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency (SFMTA) riders paying fares; and new “smart” technology at Metrolink’s Juniper Avenue crossing provides long-awaited relief for the Fontana community.
Union Pacific (UP) recently announced that its “operational excellence was on full display” in early April as teams “swiftly responded to severe thunderstorms, tornado warnings, torrential rainfall, swollen rivers, and flash floods across the South and Midwest.”
For the first 15 weeks of 2025, ending April 12, North American carload and intermodal traffic was up 3.3% from the same point last year, the Association of American Railroads (AAR) reported April 16. The United States and Canada experienced gains, while Mexico saw a loss.
Amtrak and NJ Transit on April 15 joined New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy for a working summit ahead of the 2025 summer travel season in New Jersey. Amtrak and NJ Transit presented a new progress report on the joint inspection, maintenance, and improvement program for Amtrak’s infrastructure and NJ Transit’s trains.