The San Joaquin Regional Rail Commission (SJRRC) appoints Chris Orlando as CEO. Also, Kathryn B. “Katie” Thomson is Acting Secretary of the Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT), following the departure of Paul J. Wiedefeld; and Pete Semenek is retiring as National Vice President of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET).
“California Dreamin’” was one of the iconic songs of the sixties. It was about an Angelino enduring a New York winter and dreaming about his warm hometown (the inverse of the scenario in Irving Berlin’s “White Christmas”). Barry McGuire recorded the original version in 1963, and the 1966 version by The Mamas & the Papas with Bud Shank’s flute solo defined the song. Nostalgia aside, there seems to be a new custom in part of the Golden State: “California Starvin’” as practiced on Amtrak’s San Joaquin trains between Bakersfield at the south end and the Bay Area and Sacramento at the north end.
The San Joaquin Regional Rail Commission (SJRRC) on April 30 announced that Executive Director Stacey Mortensen will step down from her role, effective Aug. 31, 2025, after more than 27 years of leadership.
Toronto Transit Commission reaches a new service milestone. Also, Metro Vancouver’s TransLink releases a proposed investment plan for 2025; and ACE (Altamont Corridor Express) in California is releasing a new ticketing program and mobile app for regional/commuter rail riders.
The San Joaquin Joint Powers Authority (SJJPA) and San Joaquin Regional Rail Commission (SJRRC) have been awarded $71 million from the California State Transportation Agency (CalSTA) Cycle 7 Transit and Intercity Rail
The first of three legacy Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) cars are delivered to the Western Railway Museum (WRM). Also, the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) expands access to reduced fares for income-eligible riders; the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (SCVTA) selects Hill International to continue Project Management & Staff Support (PMSS) services for its ongoing capital program; the Chicago Transit Authority’s (CTA) Red Line Extension (RLE) Project moves closer to groundbreaking; and Levi’s® Stadium renews its partnership with the Altamont Corridor Express (ACE) regional/commuter rail service.
Dallas (Tex.) Area Rapid Transit (DART) eyes fare structure changes. Also, Denver (Colo.) Regional Transportation District CEO earns a Women in Business Award; California’s Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (SCVTA) celebrates the West Portal groundbreaking for its BART Silicon Valley Phase II Extension Project; Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) advances a subway station accessibility project; and construction kicks off for the Valley Rail program in California.
The California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) on Feb. 14 reported exercising an option with Stadler for six additional zero-emission HFC (hydrogen fuel cell) FLIRT H2 trainsets, valued at $127 million. The $80 million base
Altamont Corridor Express (ACE) regional/commuter rail service advances extension project to Elk Grove, Calif. Also, Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey discusses Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) investments in her budget proposal; Connecticut Gov. Ned Lamont’s proposed budget includes full funding for the MTA Metro-North Railroad’s New Haven Line; ridership climbs at Metro Transit in Minneapolis/St. Paul, Minn.; Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA) earns a 2024 AdWheel award from the American Public Transportation Association (APTA); and Amtrak, New Jersey Transit (NJT), and Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) are awarded Forbes Best Large Employer status.
evo-rail teams with Alstom and Nomad Digital to bring rail-5G mmWave radio technology to Caltrain. Also, MTA Metro-North Railroad train inspectors could strike this fall; San Joaquin Regional Rail Commission (SJRRC) will receive $40 million from the California Transportation Commission (CTC) for a double-tracking project that has both freight and passenger rail benefits; and VIA Rail Canada is investing more than C$25 million on London, Ontario, station upgrades.
