California Transportation Commission

San Diego MTS: $60.4MM to Advance Modernization Projects

The San Diego Metropolitan Transit System (MTS) on March 27 announced that it has been awarded $60.4 million through the State of California’s competitive Transit and Intercity Rail Capital Program (TIRCP) to advance major light rail and electric bus modernization projects. TIRCP, funded by the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund, supports transit investments that “reduce emissions, expand mobility options and improve service in disadvantaged communities.”

Metrolink's new Arrow service is scheduled to start on Monday, Oct. 24.

CTC Approves $1.1B in Infrastructure Funds

The California Transportation Commission (CTC) on Dec. 8 approved $1.1 billion in infrastructure funding, including $53 million to purchase 12 clean energy locomotives to replace older diesel engines across Southern California’s Metrolink

High Desert Corridor High Speed Rail Project Map, Courtesy of HDC JPA.

High Desert Corridor Project Lands Labor Agreements (UPDATED 6/24)

Representatives from the High Desert Corridor Joint Powers Agency (HDC JPA) Board and labor unions signed workforce agreements in summer 2024 for the 54-mile high-speed rail project from Palmdale to Victorville, Calif., that will serve to link the California High-Speed Rail Authority (CHSRA) and Brightline West lines now under development (see map above). Now, the HDC JPA has selected HDR to provide engineering, design, and advisory services for the project.

Transit Briefs: MassDOT, CapMetro, CTC

The Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) selects Palmer Station site. Also, the CapMetro Board of Directors approves the implementation of a new fare payment system; and the California Transportation Commission (CTC) invests $1 billion in transportation infrastructure.

evo-rail, Nomad Digital and Alstom will deliver core rail-5G mmWave radio technology to Caltrain, which provides commuter rail service between San Francisco and San Jose, Calif. (Photograph Courtesy of Caltrain via Twitter)

Transit Briefs: Caltrain, Metro-North, SJRRC, VIA Rail

evo-rail teams with Alstom and Nomad Digital to bring rail-5G mmWave radio technology to Caltrain. Also, MTA Metro-North Railroad train inspectors could strike this fall; San Joaquin Regional Rail Commission (SJRRC) will receive $40 million from the California Transportation Commission (CTC) for a double-tracking project that has both freight and passenger rail benefits; and VIA Rail Canada is investing more than C$25 million on London, Ontario, station upgrades.

SkyTrain workers have reached a tentative agreement with BCRTC.

Transit Briefs: WMATA, MARTA, SkyTrain, SacRT

The Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) launches a new real-time rail service tracking tool. Also, the Maryland Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA) Police’s Deputy Chief returns from executive training in Israel; SkyTrain workers reach a tentative agreement with the British Columbia Rapid Transit Company (BCRTC); and the Sacramento Regional Transit District (SacRT) is awarded $35 million in funding for light rail improvements.

According to OCTA, rail service could possibly resume prior to February, when the rail stabilization is expected to be completed.

Transit Briefs: OCTA, PRT, Amtrak/CHIP

The Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA) and its contractor have begun work on the track stabilization project in south Orange County. Also, Pittsburgh Regional Transit (PRT) announces that light-rail vehicles and bus have resumed regular operations through the Mt. Washington Transit Tunnel; and Chicago Mayor Lori E. Lightfoot joins 56 regional mayors to support an $850 million investment in the Chicago Hub Improvement Program (CHIP), formerly known as Chicago Access.