Transit Briefs: BART, Keolis/MBTA, Valley Metro, IDOT

Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) begins installation of Next Generation Fare Gates and receives a $14.1 million grant to install more electric vehicle charging stations at the agency’s parking facilities. Also, Keolis Commuter Services and the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) launch a NaviLens pilot to help blind and low vision riders navigate stations; Valley Metro selects a construction contractor and artists for its Capitol Light Rail Extension project; and the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) is awarded the 2024 America’s Transportation Award for its upgrades to the Chicago-St. Louis passenger rail line.

Transit Briefs: DART, LA Metro, BART, SCVTA, KC Streetcar, TTC

Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) begins a second run of vehicle testing on the Silver Line Regional Rail alignment. Also, LA Metro ridership grows 8.2% in July; Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) begins the installation of a third set of Next Generation Fare Gates; the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (SCVTA) unveils a project microsite for the BART Phase II Extension Project; KC Streetcar begins test runs; and the Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) begins modernizing the streetcar power network on Queens Quay and Fleet Street.

Transit Briefs: BART, MBTA, Hill International/SCVTA, CTA, ACE

The first of three legacy Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) cars are delivered to the Western Railway Museum (WRM). Also, the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) expands access to reduced fares for income-eligible riders; the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (SCVTA) selects Hill International to continue Project Management & Staff Support (PMSS) services for its ongoing capital program; the Chicago Transit Authority’s (CTA) Red Line Extension (RLE) Project moves closer to groundbreaking; and Levi’s® Stadium renews its partnership with the Altamont Corridor Express (ACE) regional/commuter rail service.

Transit Briefs: BART, PANYNJ, Metro-North

Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) releases its annual Sustainability Report. Also, the majority of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey’s (PANYNJ) PATH riders are now using the commuter rail’s new tap-and-go fare payment system; and the New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority’s (MTA) Metro-North Railroad unveils its fifth heritage locomotive.

Bechtel Tapped to Provide Construction Management for BART Silicon Valley Extension

Bechtel Infrastructure Corporation (Bechtel) on June 28 announced that the Santa Clara Valley Transportation (VTA) has selected the company to provide construction management services for the Bay Area Rapid Transit’s (BART) Silicon

BART Board Approves New Two-Year Budget

Bay Area Rapid Transit’s (BART) Board of Directors on June 13 voted to approve a new two-year budget, which the agency says “maintains train service levels and staffing for enhanced safety and cleaning efforts while avoiding cuts that will have a negative impact on the local economy, traffic conditions, and the state’s ambitious climate goals.

Transit Briefs: SacRT, APTA, BART, MARTA

The Sacramento Regional Transit District (SacRT) achieves a major milestone with two new low-floor trains completing 1,000 miles of testing. Also, the American Public Transportation Association (APTA) announces a call for nominations for its 2024 awards program; Bay Area Rapid Transit’s (BART) Link21 Program holds an informational roadshow to share its train technology analysis for the project’s second train crossing; construction begins on BART’s Lake Merritt Transit Oriented Development (TOD) project; and the Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA) advances its Indian Creek TOD project following rezoning approval.

A recent photo of Linda Yee-Sugaya, a.k.a. Mama Linda, at Daly City Yard. (Caption and Photograph Courtesy of BART)
Commentary

Mother of all Train Operators: BART’s ‘Mama Linda’

For 33 years, Train Operator Linda Yee-Sugaya, better known as “Mama Linda,” has said a prayer before stepping onto her train.

BART photo

BART Retires Legacy Fleet in Public Event (UPDATED, 4/26)

Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) officially retired its legacy fleet on April 20 in a public event.

Photos from left to right: Tera Stokes-Hankins at her Station Agent graduation in 1995; Tera handing Station Agent Michael Francis a certificate of recognition at a recent employee appreciation event. (Caption and Photographs Courtesy of BART)
Commentary

BART: First Woman to Serve as Our Chief Transportation Officer, Started as a Station Agent

During Black History Month each February, BART honors the history and contributions of our Black employees, including trailblazers like Tera Stokes-Hankins, the first woman to serve as BART’s Chief Transportation Officer. You’ll find her “BART story” below.

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