The OCTA Board on June 9 approved a balanced budget of $1.74 billion for the upcoming fiscal year. Last month, it unveiled the first Siemens Mobility S700 (pictured) for the 4.15-mile OC Streetcar system, which is slated to launch next spring. (OCTA Photograph)

Transit Briefs: Caltrain, OCTA, State of California, DART, MDOT

Caltrain Board signs off on Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 operating and capital budgets. Also, Orange County (Calif.) Transportation Authority (OCTA) outlines budget for upcoming fiscal year; California Senate and Assembly reach agreement to fund public transit, averting “mass service cuts”; Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) in Texas pioneers transportation-agency participation in tax increment reinvestment zones across service-area cities; and Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT) awards $1.25 million in transit-oriented development (TOD) grants.

(Union Pacific Photograph)

AAR: U.S. Rail Traffic Dips in Week 23

The Association of American Railroads in reporting freight rail traffic for the week ending June 7, 2025 (Week 23), noted that total U.S. weekly rail traffic was 483,807 carloads and intermodal units,

(USDOT Logo, Courtesy of USDOT)

USDOT Clears $2.9B for Infrastructure Projects

The U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) on June 10 reported approving another 529 infrastructure grants totaling more than $2.9 billion. The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) and Federal Transit Administration (FTA) will administer grants to 47 rail-related projects, totaling approximately $919 million.

(FRA Logo, Courtesy of FRA)

FRA Unveils Updated Safety Data Website

The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) on June 11 reported finalizing the transition to a “new, more user-friendly” online public safety data website as required by Section 22405 of the Infrastructure Investment and

“I am grateful for the opportunity to assist the Chairman and to work with my colleagues as we continue to streamline our procedures to ensure timely and effective adjudications,” STB Vice Chairman Michelle Schultz said. (STB Photograph)

STB Looks to Streamline Operations

Five initial recommendations for streamlining Surface Transportation Board (STB) processes and procedures have been garnered from recent Board-led listening sessions with legal practitioners, STB reported June 10.

“Today marks a historic first. For the first time since LAX opened its doors nearly a century ago, travelers can connect to the airport by Metro rail,” LACMTA/Metro reported via social media on June 6. “The new LAX/Metro Transit Center Station represents a generational leap forward in how people move through Los Angeles, offering a smarter, more sustainable way to travel.” (Screen Grab from LACMTA video)

Transit Briefs: SMART, SCCRTC, LACMTA

Sonoma-Marin Area Rail Transit (SMART) District is in line for a $81 million award to extend its passenger rail service in Northern California. Also, Santa Cruz County Regional Transportation Commission (SCCRTC) releases details on a potential Santa Cruz-to-Pajaro passenger rail service; and Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (LACMTA/Metro) celebrates the official opening of the LAX/Metro Transit Center station.

“To every member of the Mechanical team, thank you for your diligence, focus, and dedication,” NS VP Mechanical Brian Barr said during the announcement of the team’s “injury-free” May. (NS Photograph)

Class I Briefs: NS, UP, CSX

Norfolk Southern’s (NS) Mechanical Department marks a safety milestone. Also, Union Pacific’s (UP) Del Rio, Tex.-based Engineering team celebrates five years of injury-free service; and CSX reports improved service metrics.

(Rendering Courtesy of The Greenbrier Companies)

Watch: Greenbrier Unveils Safety Training Tank Car

The Greenbrier Companies, Inc., now offers a rolling tank car platform that can be used to deliver “expert-led,” hands-on safety training to railcar operators, maintenance teams, and safety professionals.

Valley Metro in Phoenix on June 7 held a ribbon-cutting ceremony to open its 5.5-mile light rail extension connecting South Phoenix to Valley Metro Rail’s new two-line system (Valley Metro Photograph).

Phoenix Launches South Central Extension/Downtown Hub

Valley Metro light rail on June 7 expanded into south Phoenix, Ariz., with the opening of the $1.34 billion South Central Extension/Downtown Hub project, marking its evolution to a 35-mile two-line system. More than 5,000

Heartland Flyer train. (Amtrak Photograph)

Transit Briefs: Amtrak, State of Nevada, Santa Clara VTA

Is it the end of the line for the Heartland Flyer? Also, the Nevada Governor approves a regional rail transit study; and Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) reaches an agreement with its largest union, which represents some 1,500 frontline workers, including light rail and bus operators, mechanics, dispatchers, fare inspectors and customer service representatives.

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