CCJPA

Link21 Program Reaches New Milestones

Following “robust public outreach and technical and business case analysis,” the Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) Board of Directors voted to advance the Link21 Program as a standard-gauge rail project that is part of the California State Rail Plan and a series of projects to be advanced by the state, while seeking federal funding. The program will also be considered by the Capitol Corridor Joint Powers Authority (CCJPA) Board on June 18, 2025.

TriMet on Aug. 28 officially launched the 7.8-mile, 10-station Max Red Line extension, wrapping up its three-year, $218 million A Better Red project to increase the light rail system’s reliability, to serve the growing job center of Washington County, and to provide more people with a one-seat ride to and from Portland International Airport. (TriMet Photograph)

Transit Briefs: LACMTA, MBTA, TriMet, CCJPA/Amtrak, City of Edmonton

Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (LACMTA) releases its Fiscal Year (FY) 2025 adopted budget book. Also, Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) wraps up Red Line track work, removing six speed restrictions; Tri-County Metropolitan Transportation District of Oregon (TriMet) celebrates the launch of its MAX Red Line extension into Hillsboro; Capitol Corridor Joint Powers Authority (CCJPA), Amtrak, and other rail partners kick off September Rail Safety Month with a safety train event; and the City of Edmonton, Alberta debuts the “Here to Help” campaign as part of its Enhanced Transit Safety Plan.

Transit Briefs: Amtrak/LOSSAN, NYMTA/PANYNJ, WMATA, Brightline

Amtrak Pacific Surfliner service reduces fleet’s environmental impact with sustainable fuel alternative. Also, the New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) announces that AirTrain JFK will accept payments via OMNY, beginning Oct. 11; the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) celebrates one million customers at the Washington Dulles International Airport Silver Line Metrorail Station and announces that normal rail service has returned as the agency continues to inspect the fleet’s oldest railcars; and Brightline will double its train service between Orlando and Miami.

CalSTA announced a $46 million state grant for VTA's East San Jose Light Rail Extension.

CalSTA: $690MM for Public Transportation Projects

The California State Transportation Agency (CalSTA) on April 24 announced an award of more than $690 million to 28 new public transportation projects in disadvantaged communities to “close out the first wave of a historic infusion of state funding to expand transit and passenger rail service throughout the state, helping to cut planet-warming pollution.”

According to the MTA, major subway crime is down 16% compared to the same period in 2022.

Transit Briefs: NYMTA, Rio Grande Train Station, TTC, CCJPA

The New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) announces significant progress on subway and transit public safety initiatives. Also, a new plan aims to re-establish Rio Grande as a transportation hub; the Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) will deploy more than 80 additional staff focused on safety; and the Capital Corridor Joint Powers Authority (CCJPA) announces pilot program to let riders pay fares with contactless debit/credit cards.

Transit Briefs: LA Metro, Calif. High-Speed Rail, Link21, Brightline

Lunar New Year TAP cards are now available at LA Metro Customer Centers and select rail stations. Also, new efforts to bring high-speed rail to downtown San Francisco include a price tag of $6.7 billion; Link21 announced appointment of 18 members to its newly formed Equity Advisory Council; and Brightline continues train testing at higher speeds in Palm Beach County in preparation for opening to Orlando.

Padgette Elected SAIPRC Chair

The Managing Director of the Capitol Corridor Joint Powers Authority (CCJPA), Rob Padgette, was elected Chair of the State-Amtrak Intercity Passenger Rail Committee (SAIPRC) on June 24, 2020.

Padgette named CCJPA Managing Director

The Capitol Corridor Joint Powers Authority (CCJPA) named Rob Padgette to be its new Managing Director, effective July 1, 2019. He will oversee management and operations of the 170-mile Capitol Corridor regional/commuter rail system, replacing David Kutrosky, who is stepping down after nearly 10 years at the helm, Padgette first joined the CCJPA as Deputy Managing Director in January 2018.

  • PTC

Capitol Corridor nears PTC completion

The Capitol Corridor Joint Powers Authority (CCJPA), with operating partners Amtrak and Union Pacific, has completed installation and testing of Positive Train Control (PTC) along the 170-mile San Jose-Auburn Capitol Corridor route. The agency received approval on October 24 to begin fleetwide implementation of PTC, CCJPA officials said in a news release.