Transit Briefs: CTA, OCTA

The Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) is receiving $13.96 million for emergency preparedness as part of a U.S. Department Homeland Security (DHS) grant to the state of Illinois. Also, the Orange County (Calif.) Transportation Authority (OCTA) will begin work this month on a $29.86 million Metrolink station improvement project at Anaheim Canyon.

Transit Briefs: MBTA, Metrolinx, LACMTA, CTA

The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) has earned the New England Environmental Business Council Award for Climate Change Project of the Year; Metrolinx, the Toronto-area regional transit agency, has installed roof-mounted solar photovoltaic panels at four stations, saving almost C$1.8 million in energy costs to date; the CRRC Massachusetts plant recently celebrated the arrival of the first of Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority’s (LACMTA) new subway cars on order; and Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) has launched a Transit Ambassador program.

Transit Briefs: CDOT and CTA; NJ Transit

The Chicago (Ill.) Department of Transportation (CDOT) and the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) have released preliminary design plans for modernizing the 100-year-old State/Lake station; and New Jersey Transit (NJ Transit) has partnered with Waze, a traffic navigation mobile app, to improve safety at highway/rail grade crossings in the state.

Transit Briefs: CTA, Infrastructure Canada, LOSSAN Rail Corridor Agency, WMATA, ICM Mobility Group

The Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) has unveiled its updated “Pride Train”; Infrastructure Canada has announced the recipients of its Knowledge Synthesis Grants on mobility and public transit; Los Angeles-San Diego-San Luis Obispo (LOSSAN) Rail Corridor Agency has received American Public Transportation Association (APTA) awards for best marketing and communications on COVID-19; Washington Area Metropolitan Transit Authority (WMATA) has launched SmarTrip for Android™ in Google Pay; and ICM Mobility Group has acquired mobile ticketing and payment specialist Unwire.

CTA Rolls Out Station ‘Refresh & Renew’ Program

Nearly 90% of Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) rapid transit stations will be upgraded by year-end, the agency has reported.

Illinois Report: One Year into Pandemic, Fuel Consumption, Transit Ridership Continue to Lag

Illinois’ major transportation revenue streams—motor fuel taxes and transit system fees—saw steep declines during the pandemic, according to an Illinois Economic Policy Institute (ILEPI) report released March 25.

CTA 7000 Series Tests Under Way

The Chicago Transit Authority’s first 7000 Series rapid transit cars have begun testing. The prototype married pair in the photo, consisting of car nos. 7005 and 7006, began EMI and brake testing on CTA’s North Side Main Line on Oct. 7.

Amtrak, Metra Bring ADA Compliance to Homewood

Amtrak and Metra have begun work on a combined $29 million construction project to upgrade the Homewood, Ill., passenger rail station. It is slated for completion in spring 2022.

CP’s Creel: CTA Vancouver service problem probe “irresponsible”

Canadian Pacific President and CEO Keith Creel has lashed out at the Canadian Transportation Agency’s (CTA) investigation of possible freight rail service problems at the Port of Vancouver, calling the agency’s probe “far-reaching” and “irresponsible.”

FTA awards $16.6MM to enhance transit access nationwide

The Federal Transit Administration has awarded $16.6 million to 20 agencies nationwide to support planning projects that aim to enhance access to public transportation.

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