CalSTA

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.”

CalSTA: $1.3B for 27 Rail and Transit Projects

The California State Transportation Agency (CalSTA) recently announced that $1.3 billion from the Transit and Intercity Capital Rail Program (TIRCP) funded by the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund (cap-and-trade) will go to 27 projects following a statewide competitive grant application process for Cycle 7, according to a Streetsblog California report.

Transit Briefs: DART, SBCTA

Dallas Area Rapid Transit’s (DART) Orange Line celebrates a decade of providing service to DFW Airport. Also, state and federal leaders join the San Bernardino County Transportation Authority (SBCTA), Stadler and Metrolink to celebrate the technology behind the Zero Emission Multiple Unit (ZEMU).

(Rendering Courtesy of CHSRA)

CHSRA, CalSTA Renew Environmental Review Agreement With FRA

The California High-Speed Rail Authority (CHSRA) and the California State Transportation Agency (CalSTA) on July 23 reported renewing an agreement with the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) to continue assuming the federal agency’s environmental review responsibilities under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA).

CalSTA: Nearly $2B for Public Transit

California Governor Gavin Newsom on July 8 announced the approval of more than $1.9 billion to support public transportation agencies. The funding, which was approved by the California State Transportation Agency (CalSTA) is the first wave of funding from the transit recovery package in the 2023-24 state budget, which the state had promised to deliver by April 30 but that had “suddenly been delayed by the administration on May 1,” according to a Streetsblog California report.

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Hydrogen Finds its Place in California

State government regulations are accelerating the shift from diesel to alternative traction in California. Kyle Gradinger, Division Chief of Rail and Mass Transportation at the California Department of Transportation (CALTRANS), explains the

ASLRRA President Chuck Baker

ASLRRA Honors Safety Professional, Safety Person of the Year; Names 2024 Environmental Award Winner

The American Short Line and Regional Railroad Association (ASLRRA) has named Mission Mountain Railroad (MMR) Railcar Repairman Sam Pederson as its Safety Person of the Year and Florida East Coast Railway (FECR) Training Program Manager Albert Manning as its Safety Professional of the Year. Also, Sierra Northern Railway is named ASLRRA’s 2024 Environmental Award winner. All three awards were presented on March 25 at ASLRRA’s Annual Conference, held this year in Kansas City, Mo.

(Rendering Courtesy of Caltrans)

California Orders Another Six HFC Trainsets

The California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) on Feb. 14 reported exercising an option with Stadler for six additional zero-emission HFC (hydrogen fuel cell) FLIRT H2 trainsets, valued at $127 million. The $80 million base