Metro-North’s Scarsdale Station becomes the second station to be made fully accessible this year. Also, the Virginia Railway Express (VRE) fiscal year (FY) 2025 budget receives approval; Metrolinx’s GO Expansion—On-Corridor Works project is ranked second on ReNew Canada’s Top100Projects report; and construction on a new Brattleboro Amtrak station is set to begin in March.
The American Public Transportation Association (APTA) is urging the House and Senate Transportation, Housing and Urban Development (THUD) Appropriations Committee leaders “to resolve their differences and provide the critical investments needed to improve our nation’s public transit, passenger rail, and multimodal infrastructure.”
Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (LACMTA) may be trimming its plans to update the historic Los Angeles Union Station as construction costs have doubled from $950 million to an estimated $1.93 billion, Urbanize LA reported Jan. 10.
The Surface Transportation Board (STB) is seeking candidates to fill 18 vacancies on its newly formed Passenger Railroad Advisory Committee (PRAC). Nominations are due by Feb. 5, 2024; candidates may nominate themselves.
Amtrak seeks feedback on Chicago Union Station concourse improvements. Also, Houston (Tex.) METRORail marks 20 years of light rail service; Federal Transit Administration (FTA) completes its triennial review of Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA); and Maryland Transit Administration’s (MTA) Chief Administrative Officer earns the WTS Rosa Parks Diversity Leadership Award.
Amtrak earns the top score on the Human Rights Campaign Foundation’s 2023-2024 Corporate Equality Index (CEI). Also, the Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA) deploys railcars into the Atlantic Ocean; the Maryland Department of Transportation Maryland Transit Administration (Maryland DOT MTA) completes the feasibility study for the North-South Transit Corridor; and Metrolinx selects AECOM as its delivery partner for the Eglinton Crosstown West Extension project.
Amtrak on Dec. 22 issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) to railcar manufacturers to begin the process of replacing its current Long-Distance Fleet.
Amtrak met its agreement workforce hiring targets in fiscal year 2023 (FY23) and expects to meet hiring needs in FY24, but there are opportunities for the company to improve the efficiency of its hiring process, according to an Amtrak Office of Inspector General (OIG) report released Dec. 18.
Schuylkill River Passenger Rail Authority (SRPRA) in Pennsylvania selects a consultant to prepare a Reading-Philadelphia service development plan. Also, Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (SCVTA) closes on a $23.8-million land purchase near Diridon Station in San Jose, Calif.; and Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) eliminates the $2 SmarTrip fare payment card fee for seniors.
Amtrak is seeking applicants for its scholarship program. Also, Port Authority of New York and New Jersey (PANY/NJ) approves its 2024 budget that advances a new PATH fare payment system and the development of a new AirTrain Newark system, and awards a design and construction contract for AirTrain Newark; the DMU Trillium Line’s hand-over to the city of Ottawa, Ontario, has been delayed again; and U.S. government workers on official business will soon have to prioritize taking public transit.