WIR 2025: Building Your ‘Leadership Toolkit’

The Women in Rail 2025 Conference, presented by Railway Age and RT&S, will feature a dynamic panel of industry mentors, who will help you build your “leadership toolkit.” They will provide winning

People News: WTS International, FTA

WTS International appoints Dr. Malika Reed Wilkins as CEO. Also, Marcus J. Molinaro is confirmed as the Federal Transit Administration’s (FTA) 16th Administrator.

Senate Committee on Appropriations Advances FY26 THUD Bill

The Senate Committee on Appropriations on July 24 marked up S.2465, the Transportation, Housing and Urban Development Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2026 (THUD Appropriations Act). The bipartisan legislation was reported in a 27-1 vote from the Senate Committee, according to the American Public Transportation Association (APTA).

Senate Committee on Appropriations Unveils FY26 THUD Bill

The Senate Committee on Appropriations on July 14 announced that it will mark up the 2026 House Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies (THUD) Appropriations Bill, which “significantly cuts public

A map of the proposed route for Northlander passenger rail service showing stops at Union Station (Toronto), Langstaff, Gormley, Washago, Gravenhurst, Bracebridge, Huntsville, South River, North Bay, Temagami, Timiskaming Shores, Englehart, Kirkland Lake, Matheson, and Timmins (South Porcupine), with a rail connection to Cochrane. (Courtesy of Ontario Government)

Transit Briefs: Northlander, NYMTA, APTA

Construction is under way at the Timmins-Porcupine Station in Ontario, Canada, part of the Northlander passenger-rail revival project. Also, the New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) posts ridership, performance and safety improvements in first-half 2025; and the American Public Transportation Association (APTA) recognizes two members’ outstanding sustainability achievements.

The California Transportation Commission (CTC) on June 27 approved a $100 million award to Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority for BART (Bay Area Rapid Transit) Silicon Valley Phase II. (VTA Photograph)

Transit Briefs: VTA, APTA, Valley Metro, VPRA

Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) lands $100 million in California state funding for the BART Silicon Valley Phase II project. Also, the American Public Transportation Association (APTA) presents its 2025 Rail Safety, Security and Emergency Management Awards; Arizona’s Valley Metro is introducing streetcar fares; and the Virginia Passenger Rail Authority (VPRA) marks its fifth anniversary.

APTA Announces 2025 Public Transportation Award, Hall of Fame Honorees

The American Public Transportation Association (APTA) on June 24 reported the 13 North American organizations and leaders earning its annual awards for “vision, leadership and commitment to public transportation,” plus the induction of six new members into the APTA Hall of Fame.

Eno Releases Two New FTA-Funded Reports

The Eno Center for Transportation (Eno), an independent, non-partisan think-tank, has released two new Federal Transit Administration (FTA)-funded reports to “help agencies more effectively recruit, train, and retain professionals who manage large projects,” as well as assess the FTA’s capital cost database and provide recommendations for improving its usefulness.

USDOT Files Motion to Remove Key Provisions From DBE Program

The U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) on May 28 filed a motion in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Kentucky to remove race- and sex-based presumptions from its Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) program, which was established decades ago through a series of legislative and regulatory initiatives and designed to “remedy discrimination in transportation contracting.”

WMATA on May 23 brought Automatic Train Operation (ATO) to the Green and Yellow lines, following what it called “rigorous internal training and testing and concurrence from the Washington Metrorail Safety Commission.” (WMATA Photograph)

Transit Briefs: WMATA, LACMTA, Metrolink, Trinity Metro

Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) launches Automatic Train Operation (ATO) on the Green and Yellow lines. Also, Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (LACMTA) releases new details about its Sepulveda Transit Corridor project; Metrolink, Southern California’s regional passenger rail system, offers riders customized service alerts; and Trinity Metro’s Richard W. Andreski joins the Executive Committee of the American Public Transportation Association (APTA) Board of Directors.

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