Brightline and JetBlue team to “enhance connectivity and convenience” for customers traveling on combined itineraries through Central and South Florida. (Brightline Photograph of Orlando Station, located at Orlando International Airport)

Transit Briefs: Brightline, CTA

Brightline, Florida’s private-sector passenger railroad, launches a partnership with JetBlue. Also, Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) celebrates the eighth year of its Pride Train with a new design.

RSI President Jim Riley (far right) moderated a fireside-chat style session with (left to right) Benji Schwartz, Director of Government Affairs and Advocacy, APTA; Greg Regan, President, Transportation Trades Department, AFL-CIO; Robert Pearsall, Partnerships Director, USHSR; and Husein Cumber, Senior Advisor, Brightline Holdings. (Marybeth Luczak Photograph)

How to Position Passenger Rail for Federal Funding

Navigating passenger rail funding in a new political landscape was the theme of a May 21 session at Railway Interchange 2025. The Railway Supply Institute (RSI), one of the three associations hosting the event, brought together executives from Brightline Holdings, U.S. High Speed Rail Association (USHSR), American Public Transportation Association (APTA), and Transportation Trades Department, AFL-CIO (TTD) to discuss how companies can adapt.

An artist's rendering of Scarlett Station, one of two above-ground stations on the 5.7-mile Eglinton Crosstown West Extension project, which will also include four underground stations and one at-grade/trenched terminus station. (Metrolinx Image)

Transit Briefs: Metrolinx, LACMTA, Brightline, Amtrak

Canada’s Infrastructure Ontario and Metrolinx are evaluating Stations, Rail and Systems (SRS) package proposals for the Eglinton Crosstown West Extension in Toronto. Also, Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (LACMTA) selects the chief who will lead its new in-house public safety department; Brightline, Florida’s private-sector passenger railroad, teams with Industrious to offer riders “on-the-go” workspaces; and Amtrak and Crayola partner to promote family travel.

Brightline, McLaren Applied Partner to Bring Motorsport-Inspired Technology to Passenger Rail

Brightline Florida and McLaren Applied announced on April 28 a partnership that brings advanced motorsport-inspired technology to passenger rail for the first time.

Brightline riders this spring and summer can receive a 20% discount on passenger rail tickets and a $100 food and beverage credit at Loews Miami Beach and Loews Coral Gables when booking a two-night stay. (Brightline Photograph)

Transit Briefs: Brightline, CTA, PANY/NJ

Brightline, Florida’s private-sector passenger railroad, teams with Loews Hotels. Also, Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) marks the start of accessibility improvement work at Austin Green Line station; and Port Authority of New York and New Jersey (PANY/NJ) renews an operations and maintenance services contract for JFK International Airport’s AirTrain in New York City.

“After 32 years, it’s time to say goodbye to the MetroCard and go all in on the fare payment system of the future,” MTA Chair and CEO Janno Lieber said March 19. (MTA Photograph)

Transit Briefs: NYMTA, San Diego MTS/NCTD, Sound Transit, Coastal Link

New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) is sunsetting MetroCard sales and distribution after 32 years. Also, California’s San Diego Metropolitan Transit System (MTS) and North County Transit District (NCTD) introduce Express Mode tap-and-go fare payment; Seattle’s Sound Transit pilots “wig wag train” to boost light rail safety; planning advances for the Coastal Link commuter rail corridor’s first proposed segment connecting Miami-Dade with Broward and Palm Beach counties in Florida.

Alstom has won a Multilevel II truck overhaul contract from New Jersey Transit. (William C. Vantuono Photograph)

Transit Briefs: NJT, Brightline

New Jersey Transit (NJT) selects Alstom to overhaul its Multilevel II trucks. Also, Brightline, Florida’s private-sector passenger railroad, partners with Driftwood Hospitality Management on cross-promotional marketing.

Supply Side: Alstom, STV, HNTB

Alstom donates funds to the American Red Cross to support wildfire response and recovery efforts in California. Also, STV’s Liz Justison is named to the American Public Transportation Association’s (APTA) Board of Directors; and HNTB wins the 2025 American Council of Engineering Companies (ACEC) Florida Grand Conceptor Award for its work on the Brightline Florida East-West Connector project.

(David C. Lester Photograph)

Brightline Onboard Workers Sign On With TWU

The approximately 100 onboard and lead attendants at Brightline, Florida’s private-sector passenger railroad, have voted to join Transport Workers Union of America (TWU).

the Canadian government late last year “requested an extension on bids” to construct a dedicated HFR corridor between Toronto and Quebec, according to The Canadian Press.

Transit Briefs: HFR Corridor, SacRT, Brightline, LIRR, TTL

Will the High Frequency Rail (HFR) in Canada be delayed? Also, Sacramento Regional Transit District (SacRT) receives the final funding needed to construct the Dos Rios Station; Brightline, Florida’s private-sector passenger railroad, will boost capacity between Miami and West Palm Beach; MTA Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) reports the strongest year in its nearly 200-year history; and applications are now being accepted for Transit Tech Lab’s challenges with the New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA), Port Authority of New York and New Jersey (PANY/NJ), New Jersey Transit (NJT), and New York City Department of Transportation (DOT).

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