“Public transportation is the safest mode of surface transportation, but it can be even safer for both passengers and transit workers,” said FTA Administrator Nuria Fernandez.

FTA: $102.3MM in Disaster Relief Funding for Transit Agencies

The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) on July 31 announced $102.3 million in funding to 17 transit agencies, cities and planning councils in eight states and territories to help recover from natural disasters.

BART on July 26 released its annual Sustainability Report.

Transit Briefs: BART, MBTA

San Francisco Bay Area Rapid Transit District (BART) releases its 2022 Sustainability Report. Also, Massachusetts lawmakers propose transferring Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) safety oversight to a new independent agency.

A new Amtrak OIG report finds that Amtrak “faces challenges with the systems and processes it uses to track and manage costs for capital projects, which hinder project teams from identifying emerging cost overruns.” (Photograph Courtesy of Amtrak OIG, via Twitter)

Transit Briefs: Amtrak OIG, FTA, NYMTA

“Amtrak is strengthening its project cost management, but can better organize costs and improve guidance,” according to the latest Amtrak Office of Inspector General (OIG) report. Also, the San Diego Association of Governments (SANDAG), Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) and Cincinnati Connector Streetcar will receive funding through the Federal Transit Administration’s (FTA) Areas of Persistent Poverty Program; and New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) will increase subway fares and implement recommendations of the Blue-Ribbon Panel Report on Fare and Toll Evasion.

FTA Seeks Public Comment on Grant Consolidation

The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) on July 12 announced that it is seeking public guidance on a new consolidated circular entitled, “Grant Programs for Urbanized Areas: Program Guidance and Application Instructions.” Comments are due Sept. 11, 2023.

A new station at 106th Street (rendering above, courtesy of NYMTA) is part of the Phase 2 extension of the Second Avenue Subway in New York.

NYMTA Kicks Off Second Avenue Subway Phase 2 Project

New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) on July 5 reported soliciting the first contract to construct Phase 2 of the Second Avenue Subway, and unveiled draft station renderings for the long-awaited 1.5-mile

NTSB photo

NTSB: Short Circuit Probable Cause of MBTA Passenger Fatality

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) recently determined that the probable cause of an April 10, 2022, Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) passenger fatality was a short circuit in the passenger door

“Nearly a decade ago, the previous administration cut the Red Line project at a time when Baltimore was reeling from one of the most trying eras in recent history—but now is the time for us to get this right,” said Gov. Moore.

Gov. Moore Announces Baltimore Red Line Relaunch

Maryland Gov. Wes Moore on June 15 announced the relaunch of Baltimore’s Red Line, a major investment in transit to “significantly enhance east-west connectivity across the Baltimore region.”

MBTA Approves $2.7B FY24 Budget

The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) Board of Directors on June 8 voted to approve a $2.7 billion operating budget for Fiscal Year 2024 (FY24) that “will sustain levels of service while making strategic investments in safety, staffing and hiring, key capital investments, including station and accessibility needs, and design work required for a future connection of the Red and Blue lines,” according to the agency.

Commentary

FTA Rejects MBTA Safety Improvement Plan

Whether actual or fictitious, Bostonians have had problems with their transit, and it appears those will continue, at least for a while longer. The Federal Transit Administration has ordered the MBTA (Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority) to revise a safety plan, this time for track workers, which will further delay the repairs that will be needed to return service to normal.

The new Bramalea GO Station building opened in 2021. (Metrolinx photo)

Transit Briefs: APTA, Amtrak F+B Working Group, Arup, Metrolinx, NJ Transit/UITP/Rutgers CAIT

The American Public Transportation Association (APTA) “strongly urges” public transit agencies to obligate remaining COVID-19 funds as soon as possible. Also, the Amtrak Food & Beverage Working Group sends recommendations to Congress after year-long analysis of Amtrak onboard service; Arup supports Metrolinx plans to electrify Canada’s largest commuter rail network; construction is now complete at Metrolinx’s Bramalea GO Station; and registration is now open for first courses at the International Association of Public Transport’s (UITP) North American Regional Training Center hosted by NJ Transit and Rutgers Center for Advanced Infrastructure and Transportation (CAIT).

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