Archer Western Herzog

MTA on Jan. 14 released data on traffic volumes, travel times, and transit ridership from the congestion relief program’s first week. The program took effect Sunday, Jan. 5, 2025. (MTA Photograph)

Transit Briefs: New York/MTA, Massachusetts/MBTA, Rio Metro, DART, UTA, VTA

New York Gov. Kathy Hochul announces MTA New York City subway safety initiatives. Also, MTA releases preliminary traffic and transit data from the congestion relief program’s first work week; Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey plans an $8 billion investment to improve regional transit, roads, and bridges and to stabilize MBTA finances; New Mexico’s Rio Metro Regional Transit District (Rio Metro) lands a federal grant for a new commuter rail Operations and Maintenance Facility; progress on Dallas Area Rapid Transit’s (DART) Silver Line continues with passenger service targeted for late 2025 or early 2026; Utah Transit Authority’s (UTA) ridership recovery reaches near pre-pandemic levels; and Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) and 17 other transit agencies sign the Equity In Infrastructure Project Pledge.

The Metropolitan Council has approved a labor agreement with the ATU Local 1005, which represents more than 2,000 train and bus operators, technicians, public facility workers, cleaners, and transit information representatives, among other positions at Metro Transit.

Transit Briefs: Minn. Met Council, DART

Minnesota’s Metropolitan Council approves a labor agreement that boosts wages for Metro Transit workers. Also, Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) advances the Silver Line Regional Rail project, allowing the return of freight rail service to Plano and Richardson, Tex.