Caltrain

Alto is the planned 621-mile (1,000-kilometer) Toronto-Québec City HSR (high-speed rail) project that is now in the field studies phase. (Courtesy of Alto)

Transit Briefs: Alto, Caltrain

Canada’s Alto and private developer partner Cadence are launching the next field studies phase for the planned Toronto-Québec City HSR (high-speed rail) system. Also, California’s Caltrain honors Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi for decades of transit advocacy.

“After years of targeted improvements,” Caltrain Executive Director Michelle Bouchard said, the new Caltrain Corridor Right-of-Way Safety Strategy “establishes a comprehensive approach to reducing risk, strengthening accountability, and delivering the most effective treatments where they are needed most throughout the entire Caltrain corridor to keep the people and communities we serve safe.” (HNTB Photograph)

Transit Briefs: Caltrain, UTA, Amtrak

California’s Caltrain adopts a corridor-wide right-of-way safety strategy. Also, Utah Transit Authority (UTA) advances its Fare Payment System Upgrades program; and Amtrak and Be My Eyes team to help blind and low vision riders navigate train stations in real time.

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People News: Caltrain, Duos, HNTB

Caltrain’s Diridon Steering Committee hires William (Bill) Sirois as Program Director. Also, Duos Technologies Group, Inc. (Duos) appoints Doug Recker as CEO; and Carla Collins joins HNTB as Vice President and Office Sales Manager.

Muni operates buses, light rail Metro trains, historic streetcars and iconic cable cars in San Francisco. (SFMTA Photograph)

For Bay Area Transit, a $590MM ‘Fiscal Bridge’ (UPDATED 2/20)

The Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC) on Jan. 30 reported reaching an agreement with the Office of California Gov. Gavin Newsom and the state’s Department of Finance for a $590 million loan that will “avert major service cuts” at San Francisco Bay Area Rapid Transit District (BART), Caltrain, San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency’s (SFMTA) Muni, and Alameda-Contra Costa Transit District (AC Transit) during the 2026-27 fiscal year that begins July 1.

Transit Briefs: Tri-Rail/SFRTA, Caltrain, Maryland Transit and Housing Opportunity Act

The South Florida Regional Transportation Authority (SFRTA) celebrates the groundbreaking of its first-ever transit-oriented development (TOD) adjacent to Tri-Rail’s Boca Raton Station. Also, Caltrain’s Electrification Project is awarded by the Associated General Contractors of California (AGC of California); and Maryland Governor Wes Moore testifies before the Senate Finance Committee in support of the Maryland Transit and Housing Opportunity Act.

Pictured, Left to Right: David Ivan, BNSF Logistics, LLC; Jerry Guaracino, Caltrain; Anna Harvey, STV; and Allan Fye, Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation. (Ivan photograph from LinkedIn; all other photographs from the respective organizations.)
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People News: BNSF Logistics, Caltrain, STV, Virginia DRPT

BNSF Logistics, LLC elevates David Ivan to President and CEO. Also, Jerry Guaracino joins California’s Caltrain as Chief Safety Officer; infrastructure professional services firm STV hires Anna Harvey to lead transportation operations in Northern California; and Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation (DRPT) names Allan Fye as Chief Deputy Director.

Brightline and Sotereon.AI are partnering to create “a real-time digital replica of the Brightline corridor, one that is continuously updated throughout the operational day” to enhance the inspection and maintenance process. (Courtesy of Brightline and Sotereon.AI)

Transit Briefs: Brightline, Valley Metro, Caltrain

Brightline, Florida’s private-sector passenger railroad, teams with Sotereon.AI on a corridor monitoring project. Also, Valley Metro in Arizona sees a $20 billion return on its light rail investment; and Caltrain receives funding to expand its GoPass fare program.

SFMTA is saying “farewell” to an icon of San Francisco transit: Muni’s Breda-built LRVs. (Courtesy of SFMTA)

Transit Briefs: SFMTA, NJT, SJJPA, DART, Caltrain, Denver RTD, Alstom

After three decades of service and more than 10 million trips, the Breda light rail vehicles at San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency (SFMTA) are being retired. Also, New Jersey Transit (NJT) marks a renovation milestone at Mahwah Station; San Joaquin Joint Powers Authority (SJJPA) rebrands the Amtrak San Joaquins service in California; Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) extends discounted fare card benefits amid the government shutdown; California’s Caltrain releases its customer satisfaction survey results; Denver (Colo.) Regional Transportation District (RTD) is developing a comprehensive plan for additional, dedicated event service; and Alstom will hire more than 100 employees at its Plattsburgh, N.Y., plant to meet increased railcar demand.

DART has eight Stadler DMUs for its 26-mile Silver Line service, which will launch Oct. 25. (DART Photograph)

Transit Briefs: DART, HART, Caltrain, San Diego MTS, VRE, Amtrak

Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) readies for Silver Line service. Also, Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation (HART) preps riders for Skyline’s second-segment launch; California’s Caltrain will be compensated for the power it returns to the grid through its trains’ regenerative braking; San Diego Metropolitan Transit System (MTS) reports a drop in crime across its network; Virginia Railway Express (VRE) reaches a ridership milestone; and a third daily trip will be added to Amtrak’s Missouri River Runner during the 2026 FIFA World Cup.