Commuter Regional

Cubic launches Ventra mobile app for CTA, Metra and Pace

Cubic Transportation Systems (CTS), a business unit of Cubic Corp., on Nov. 19, 2015 released the Ventra Mobile App for Chicago Transit Authority rapid transit, Metra regional/commuter rail and Pace suburban bus riders. The “one-stop” mobile app gives transit riders the ability to plan, manage and pay for their journeys for each of the region’s agencies.

Guelph Subdivision upgraded to CTC

VIA Rail on Nov. 14, 2015, commissioned CTC (centralized traffic control) on its entire North Mainline (Guelph Subdivision) between Georgetown and London, Ontario.

Despite some slip and slide, Keolis improves the ride

Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) commuter rail system contractor Keolis Commuter Services posted a non-adjusted weekday on-time performance rate of 90.44% for October, “the best performance for that month in nearly a decade.” When adjusted for slippery rail and other conditions or incidents not under Keolis control, on-time performance was 94.44%.

Hakim returning to her MTA roots

New Jersey Transit Executive Director Veronique “Ronnie” Hakim will be returning to the New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority after only 18 months leading NJT. She will become President of MTA New York City Transit on Dec. 28, replacing MTA Bridges and Tunnels President James Ferrara, who has been serving as NYCT Interim President since the August 2015 retirement of Carmen Bianco.

GE’s new axle tester offers improved inspection quality, performance

GE Measurement & Control on Nov. 17, 2015 introduced the Compact Hollow Axle Tester (CHAT), combining hollow-axle inspection mechanics and ultrasonic angle-beam probes with GE’s high-quality ultrasonic instrumentation. For organizations with hollow axle inspection requirements, CHAT significantly increases productivity and drives improvements in quality and traceability, the company said.