Brightline President Patrick Goddard, Miami-Dade County (Fla.) Commissioner Sally Heyman and Aventura (Fla.) Mayor Enid Weisman hosted a “first look” at the near-complete Aventura station. (Photograph and Caption Courtesy of Brightline)

Transit Briefs: Amtrak, Brightline, VTA

The Southern Rail Commission and Transportation for America on Nov. 3 hosted a stakeholder meeting to discuss potential I-20 corridor passenger rail service. Also, Florida’s Brightline on Nov. 2 offered a “sneak peak” of its Adventura station, slated to open this year; and Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) has submitted a request to the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) to transition the BART Silicon Valley Phase II Extension project to the New Starts program.

Crawford, Graves Question Amtrak C-Suite Bonuses

The House Transportation & Infrastructure Committee’s Republican leadership is questioning why some Amtrak executives have received bonuses they believe are “lavish.”

FRA Kicks Off Amtrak Daily Long-Distance Service Study

The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) on Oct. 28 announced that, as directed by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL), it has kicked off a new Amtrak Daily Long-Distance Study to “evaluate the restoration of daily long-distance intercity rail passenger service and the potential for new Amtrak long-distance routes.”

The Virginia Passenger Rail Authority (VPRA) and Amtrak on Oct. 31 celebrated five years of service to Roanoke, Va.

Transit Briefs: Amtrak, TECO, TTC, WMATA, USPS

Amtrak celebrates a Roanoke, Va., service milestone, and partners with First National Bank of Omaha to launch two Guest Rewards credit cards. Also, TECO Line Streetcar marks 20 years of service; Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) is upgrading streetcar and bus fare-card readers; Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) sets Nov. 15 as opening day for the Silver Line extension; and the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) reveals 2023 stamp designs that include “noteworthy railroad stations.”

Conceptual rendering of the RLE area redevelopment near 103rd Street station. (CTA)

Transit Briefs: CTA, Sound Transit, SamTrans/Caltrain, MassDOT/Amtrak

The Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) begins seeking contractor qualifications for Red Line Extension (RLE) project. Also, Sound Transit takes over ownership of Seattle tunnel; SamTrans and Caltrain receive federal funding; and the Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) and Amtrak announce that the Valley Flyer passenger service pilot will become permanent.

LIRR Seeks ‘Temporary Relief’ From FRA’s Hazard Detectors Requirements

The Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) on Oct. 14 petitioned the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) for a waiver of compliance from a provision of safety regulations contained under Section CFR 236.100(c), Hazard Detectors.

UTA is developing a Five-Year Service Plan "to guide how transit services will improve."

Transit Briefs: UTA, Amtrak, SFMTA/Muni, RTD, CTA, SMART, Metrolink

The Utah Transit Authority (UTA) seeks input on its Five-Year Service Plan. Also, Iowa City Council approves the purchase of properties for potential Chicago to Iowa City route; San Francisco Muni to upgrade city streets with 1,500 new digital signs and boost tunnel wi-fi; the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency (SFMTA) reveals a sneak peek of the new Chinatown-Rose Pak Muni station; the Regional Transportation District (RTD) releases FY 2023 proposed budget; the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) releases proposed 2023 operating budget; Sonoma-Marin Area Rail Transit (SMART) allots $14 million to build second Petaluma station; and Metrolink announces that weekend trains along the Orange County and Inland Empire-Orange County lines will resume service starting Oct. 29.

Amtrak OIG Identifies Opportunities to Reduce Locomotive Idling

According to a report released on Oct. 18 by the Amtrak Office of Inspector General (OIG), Amtrak “has opportunities to use its own data to reduce excess locomotive idling and to train employees about its sustainability goals,” which will help the railroad achieve its goals of reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and increasing the purchase of carbon free and renewable electricity.

(Photograph Courtesy of Amtrak)

STB Launches Office of Passenger Rail

The Surface Transportation Board (STB) on Oct. 1 established the Office of Passenger Rail, responsible for investigating and analyzing issues regarding Amtrak on-time performance (OTP).

Hawaii’s HART has issued a notice to proceed to Nan, Inc., for the relocation of utilities along Dillingham Boulevard. (Photograph Courtesy of HART)

Transit Briefs: APTA, HART, TxDOT

The American Public Transportation Association (APTA) recognizes Southern California Regional Rail Authority (Metrolink) for its commitment to sustainability. Also, Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation (HART) issues a notice to proceed for utility relocation work along Dillingham Boulevard; and Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) seeks federal funding for San Antonio rail service.

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