BART

The Sound Transit Board on June 26 identified its preferred light rail route and station locations for the Tacoma Dome Link Extension, which will expand service nearly 10 miles on mostly elevated light rail tracks between Federal Way and Tacoma, Wash., and include four new stations in the South Federal Way, Fife, East Tacoma/Portland Avenue and Tacoma Dome areas. (Courtesy of Sound Transit)

Transit Briefs: Sound Transit, CHSRA, Amtrak, BART

Seattle’s Sound Transit Board identifies the preferred alternative for the Tacoma Dome Link Extension. Also, the California High-Speed Rail Authority (CHSRA) issues a Request for Expressions of Interest (RFEI) for operating segment delivery; Amtrak Pacific Surfliner celebrates the 70th anniversary of Disneyland Resort with a special train wrap; and new San Francisco Bay Area Rapid Transit District (BART) data shows ridership growth and improvements to safety, cleanliness, and rider satisfaction, plus a reduction in fare evasion.

Link21 Program Reaches New Milestones

Following “robust public outreach and technical and business case analysis,” the Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) Board of Directors voted to advance the Link21 Program as a standard-gauge rail project that is part of the California State Rail Plan and a series of projects to be advanced by the state, while seeking federal funding. The program will also be considered by the Capitol Corridor Joint Powers Authority (CCJPA) Board on June 18, 2025.

(Top, Courtesy of MARTA; Bottom, Courtesy of BART)

MARTA, BART Budgets Approved for FY26

The Boards of Directors for Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA) and San Francisco Bay Area Rapid Transit District (BART) have voted to approve their respective budgets for Fiscal Year (FY) 2026, which begins July 1.

Unifor's VIA Rail Canada Bargaining Committee. (CNW Group/Unifor)

Transit Briefs: Unifor/VIA Rail Canada, BART

Unifor’s VIA Rail Canada master bargaining committees are preparing to conduct strike votes. Also, how one San Francisco Bay Area Rapid Transit District (BART) station supports a city’s ecosystem of businesses, residents, and tourists.

VTA photo

Transit Briefs: Santa Clara VTA, Amtrak, WMATA, Caltrain/SMART/BART

The Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) ratifies agreements with three unions. Also, Amtrak advances upgrades at two western Pennsylvania stations; the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) selects a developer for the future mixed-use buildings at Deanwood Metro Station; and first-quarter 2025 brings big gains for Bay Area transit agencies.

(BART)

BART: ‘Getting Our Budget in Order’

San Francisco Bay Area Rapid Transit District (BART) on March 24 reported eliminating what was projected to be a $35 million budget deficit for Fiscal Year 2026, starting July 1, 2025. But “structural deficits of $350 million to $400 million loom in the following years,” it said, “unless long-term, stable funding sources can be identified.”

Transit Briefs: BART, Valley Metro, Skyline, VIA Rail

Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) seeks the public’s input on proposed 2026 less-than-inflation fare increase. Also, Valley Metro begins two-line rail system testing in downtown Phoenix to prepare for the opening of the South Central Extension/Downtown Hub; the Honolulu City Auditor releases a new audit on Skyline; and VIA Rail Canada (VIA Rail) launches a locomotive engineer program in northern Manitoba.

Transit Briefs: CTA, Metro-North, Caltrain, BART, NJ Transit

The Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) unveils final designs for blocks under new Red Line tracks. Also, Metro-North Railroad unveils the sixth wrapped locomotive from its Heritage Series; a new poll shows strong regional approval for Caltrain; Bay Area Rapid Transit’s (BART) customer satisfaction rate hits its highest mark in 10 years; and NJ Transit announces new customer experience enhancements at key transit hubs.

(William C. Vantuono Photograph)

Transit Briefs: NJT, NJT/Amtrak, LACMTA, CTDOT, STV, NCTD, BART

The New Jersey Governor’s proposed budget includes a state corporate transit fee to help financially strapped New Jersey Transit (NJT). Also, the final arch is installed for the Portal North Bridge project, which will speed NJT commuter rail and Amtrak intercity passenger rail service; Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority’s (LACMTA) ridership was up 8% in 2024; Connecticut commuter railroads continued their post-pandemic ridership rebound last year; STV, as part of a progressive design-build (PDB) team, extends Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport’s automated people mover (APM) system; North County Transit District (NCTD) proclaims Feb. 25 as Crystal Trent Day in honor of San Diego’s first African American female engineer; and San Francisco Bay Area Rapid Transit District (BART) introduces a team that has five minutes to clean each rapid transit train.

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