Transit Briefs: WMATA, VPRA, UTA, Santa Clara VTA, Sound Transit

The Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) implements a policy to ban violent and sexual offenders beginning June 2. Also, a new Passenger Information Display System (PIDS) improves the customer experience at the Virginia Passenger Rail Authority’s (VPRA) Amtrak Main Street Station in Richmond; the Utah Transit Authority (UTA) opens a new station on the TRAX Red Line; Santa Clara Superior Court Judge Daniel Nishigaya orders striking Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) employees back to work; and Dow Constantine is hired as Sound Transit’s next CEO.

Amtrak Pulls Horizon Fleet

Several trains running on Amtrak corridors outside the Northeast Corridor (NEC) have been cancelled, and the future of other trains is uncertain, due to removal from service of all Horizon cars on

‘Young Professionals’ Virtual Conference Set for April 24

Railway Age’s third-annual “Young Professionals” conference—the industry’s only free event tailored to helping fast trackers in the rail freight, passenger, and supply communities advance their careers—will be held virtually on April 24 at 2

Transit Briefs: GDOT, CATS

The Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) looks to create a passenger rail service between Atlanta and Savannah. Also, Charlotte Area Transit System’s (CATS) issues are uncovered in a Federal Transit Administration (FTA) audit.

(Logo Courtesy of STB)
Commentary

Advancing Passenger Rail: Early Insights From PRAC

The Passenger Rail Advisory Committee (PRAC), formed in fall 2024 under the Surface Transportation Board (STB), is an exciting development for the future of passenger rail in the United States. The committee, comprised

Stephen J. Gardner. (Amtrak Photograph)

POTUS 47 Purge Continues: Gardner Out at Amtrak (Updated With Additional Commentary)

In a surprise move that perhaps is not so surprising, Stephen Gardner on March 19 announced that he would be stepping down as Amtrak CEO to ensure that “America’s Railroad continues to

Congress Passes THUD Appropriations Bill

On March 14, before the funding deadline at midnight, the Senate passed H.R. 1968, the “Full-Year Continuing Appropriations and Extensions Act, 2025” to “avoid a shutdown and fund the government for the

Pictured: TTC’s Harvey Shop Building, part of the Hillcrest Complex in Toronto. The complex will be expanded to house about 25 more Alstom LRVs, part of a new 60-car order. (TTC Photograph)

Transit Briefs: TTC, Metra, Amtrak

Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) begins expanding its Hillcrest Complex to house new Alstom-built streetcars. Also, Chicago’s Metra considers renaming its regional/commuter rail lines; and Amtrak updates its mobile app for riders.

(Image Courtesy of the Union Station Redevelopment Corporation)

Report: Amtrak to Control Washington Union Station Leasehold (UPDATED 3/13)

Amtrak has agreed to pay real estate firm Rexmark $505 million to control Washington Union Station’s commercial spaces, according to a Feb. 7 report by The Washington Post, which said that if the move is approved by a D.C. federal court judge, it would end a years-long dispute.

(William C. Vantuono Photograph)

Making ‘FasTracks’ in the Mile-High City

RAILWAY AGE, MARCH 2025 ISSUE: Denver Regional Transportation District (RTD) represents an impressive success story for rail transit.

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