Amtrak EVP Laura Mason (center) has been named WTS-DC Woman of the Year. (Photograph Courtesy of Amtrak)

People News: Amtrak, CTA, RAC

Amtrak Executive Vice President of Capital Delivery Laura Mason earns Woman of the Year title from the Washington, D.C. chapter of WTS (WTS-DC). Also, Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) appoints an interim President; and Railway Association of Canada (RAC) taps a new leader.

Transit Briefs: WMATA, BART, MDOT, RTA

The Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) releases its second annual personalized ridership report for 2024. Also, Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) train screens now show major transit connections; the Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT) releases its $21.2 billion Final Consolidated Transportation Program (CTP) for Fiscal Years 2025-2030; and the Regional Transportation Authority of Northeastern Illinois (RTA) releases a $1.5 billion vision aimed at “shaping the future of transit funding and governance ahead of the 2025 legislative session.”

Dorval R. Carter Jr., outgoing President of Chicago Transit Authority (left); Mike Smith, HNTB Corporation; and Marc Brazeau, outgoing President and CEO of Railway Association of Canada (right). (Photographs Courtesy of the Respective Organizations)

People News: CTA, Sound Transit, Port of LA, HNTB, APTA, RAC

Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) President announces his retirement from the agency. Also, Sound Transit (Central Puget Sound Regional Transit Authority) names first Chief Strategy Officer; Port of Los Angeles appoints new Chief Financial Officer; infrastructure firm HNTB Corporation hires National Practice Consultant to support its transportation practice; American Public Transportation Association (APTA) names General Counsel; and Railway Association of Canada (RAC) President and CEO is stepping down.

CTA President Dorval R. Carter Jr. and Federal Transit Deputy Administrator Veronica Vanterpool celebrate finalizing the $1.9 billion FFGA for the Red Line Extension Project. (CTA Photograph)

FTA: $1.97B Grant to Advance CTA’s Red Line Extension

Federal Transit Deputy Administrator Veronica Vanterpool on Jan. 10 inked a Full Funding Grant Agreement with Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) to support the Red Line Extension project, according to the Federal Transit

(CN Photograph)

Canadian Regulator Rules on Grain ‘Entitlements’

The Canadian Transportation Agency (CTA) on Dec. 24 ruled that Canadian Pacific Kansas City (CPKC) was above and CN was below their respective maximum grain revenue entitlements for the crop year 2023–24.

Transit Briefs: LA Metro, Amtrak, BART, CTA, SEPTA

LA Metro marks two consecutive years of ridership growth. Also, Amtrak Downeaster celebrates 10 million riders; Bay Area Rapid Transit’s (BART) Holiday Toy Drive collects more than 1,100 toys and $3,600 for Mission Food Hub families; the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) meets a record-breaking workforce milestone; and the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) awards a contract for the lease of five vacant regional rail stations.

Two DART holiday trains will travel throughout the light rail system’s 700-mile service area this month. (DART Photograph)

Transit Briefs: KDOT, Metro-North, CTA, DART

Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT) provides an update on proposed intercity passenger rail service from Oklahoma City, Okla., to Newton, Kans. Also, MTA Metro-North Railroad highlights its 2024 accomplishments; Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) teams with DePaul University to support small businesses; and Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) unveils holiday-themed light rail vehicles.

(Courtesy of GCRTA)

Transit Briefs: GCRTA, CTA, MBTA, NJT, SFMTA

Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority (GCRTA) celebrates 50 years of service. Also, Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) signs a new two-year agreement for expanded social service outreach; Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) releases its Strategic Plan Update detailing progress on fiscal and infrastructure improvements; New Jersey Transit (NJT) lands federal grant to study transit-oriented development in Paterson; and San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency (SFMTA) launches an official Muni merchandise store.

(Metra Photograph, Left; CTA Photograph, Right)

Metra, CTA Boards OK 2025 Budget Proposals (UPDATED 11/14)

Chicagoland’s Metra commuter railroad and Chicago Transit Authority (CTA), the area’s rapid transit and bus service provider, last month proposed 2025 operating budgets of $1.135 billion and $2.16 billion, respectively. The proposals

Transit Briefs: APTA, CTA, NYMTA, TransLink, SacRT, Metrolinx

The American Public Transportation Association (APTA) releases ballot measures on its 2024 election scorecard; Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) returns to pre-pandemic rail service; the New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) hits one billion trips on the subway in 2024; TransLink seeks proposals for future uses of retiring SkyTrain cars; the Sacramento Regional Transit District (SacRT) launches a new fare payment system and discount fare program for military veterans; and Metrolinx releases a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) for the civil and utilities contract for the Hamilton LRT project.

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