GO Transit

ONxpress Transportation Partners has chosen ZEDAS GmbH’s software for the On-Corridor Works Project of the GO Expansion program. Starting in 2024, it will be used “to digitize and automate maintenance processes in the areas of rail vehicles and rail infrastructure.”

Supply Side: Actelis, ZEDAS GmbH

Northern Ireland Railways (NI Railways) has selected Fremont, Calif.-based Actelis to enable high-speed connectivity for a large-scale safety critical project. Also, the ONxpress Transportation Partners consortium has chosen ZEDAS GmbH’s asset management system for the On-Corridor Works Project of the GO Expansion program in Canada’s Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area.

Brightline is continue work on its $2.7 billion Orlando extension with train testing in northern Brevard County, Fla., that will see trains travel up to 79 mph over the next week (Oct. 29-Nov. 5) and increase to 110 mph in early 2023.

Transit Briefs: Brightline, LACMTA, Metrolinx, SacRT

Ahead of service to Orlando, train testing of up to 79 mph is scheduled for Brightline, Florida’s private-sector passenger railroad. Also, Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (LACMTA) has released the results of its 2022 Customer Experience Survey; Metrolinx, the Greater Toronto Hamilton Area transit authority, has averted a strike that would have impacted train and bus service on Oct. 31; and Sacramento Regional Transit District (SacRT) is offering free rides to help “Drive the Vote.”

“Since arriving at MARTA, Collie [Greenwood, pictured,] has shown a tremendous knowledge of transit and capacity for leadership and innovation, while always keeping the customer front and center,” MARTA Board Chair Rita Scott said. “His rapid promotion to second-in-command demonstrated his ability to do the job well, and his steady, skilled leadership this year has further demonstrated that he is the best person to lead us as we navigate a post-pandemic world and embark on an historic enhancement and expansion program.”

Transit Briefs: MARTA, Metrolinx, SFMTA

Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA) will later this month confirm the appointment of Collie Greenwood as General Manager/CEO. Also, the Ontario government on Oct. 6 marked the start of construction on the Confederation GO station in Hamilton, part of Metrolinx’s GO Expansion program; and San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency (SFMTA) explains Proposition L and why voters should approve it on Nov. 8.

SacRT has teamed with the Sacramento Public Library to launch the area’s first library train. (Photograph Courtesy of SacRT)

Transit Briefs: Amtrak/VPRA, DART/DCTA, Metrolinx, SacRT, Sound Transit

Amtrak’s Virginia route ridership hit record highs last month. Also, Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) and Denton County Transportation Authority (DCTA) in Texas are launching a joint rail operations facility; Metrolinx is employing Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design on its Finch West light rail transit (LRT) project in northwest Toronto; Sacramento Regional Transit (SacRT) riders can sit back and read on the new Library Train in California; and the Fare Ambassador program at Sound Transit in Seattle, Wash., is now permanent.

Caltrain on Aug. 22 reported that its third and fourth EMUs of 19 on order have arrived at the Centralized Equipment and Maintenance Facility in San Jose. (Photograph Courtesy of Caltrain, via Twitter)

Transit Briefs: Caltrain, Metrolinx, NYCT, Sound Transit

Caltrain’s third and fourth new Stadler-built KISS EMUs (electric multiple unit) arrive in San Jose, Calif. Also, GO Transit debuts DC character-themed PRESTO fare cards for FAN EXPO Canada in Toronto; a new cohort of MTA New York City Transit (NYCT) train operators graduates; and Seattle’s Sound Transit takes delivery of the first two of 11 new commuter railcars from Alstom.

The TriMet Board has approved a $1.93 billion FY 2023 budget.

Transit Briefs: Metrolinx, SEPTA, Shore Line East, TriMet, Valley Metro

Metrolinx selected Ricardo Certification to perform safety assessments for the GO Expansion project in Toronto; SEPTA (Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority) released three options for its Reimagining Regional Rail project; Connecticut’s Shore Line East commuter rail is now operating M8 Electric Multiple Units (EMU); the Board of Directors for Tri-County Metropolitan Transportation District of Oregon (TriMet) approved the FY 2023 budget; and Valley Metro launched its Tempe (Ariz.) Streetcar system.

Metrolinx has awarded a Railway Track, Signal and Station Works contract to Dagmar Construction for the Kitchener GO Corridor Expansion project.

Transit Briefs: CTA, Metra, Metrolinx

The Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) will repair 28 stations this year as part of its “Refresh & Renew” program. Also, Chicago’s Metra has broken ground on an Electric Line commuter rail station rehab project; and Metrolinx, the Toronto-area regional transit agency, has awarded an approximately C$62 million Railway Track, Signal and Station Works contract for the Kitchener GO Corridor Expansion project.

Metrolinx, the city of Toronto, and the province of Ontario have launched the procurement process for the first of five new SmartTrack GO stations across the city. (Metrolinx photo)

Transit Briefs: Metrolinx, TEXRail, TransLink, VIA Rail, WMATA

Metrolinx is advancing construction of the first of five new SmartTrack GO stations in Toronto. Also, Trinity Metro’s TEXRail promoted its second female engineer; TransLink unveiled the first 10 years of “Transport 2050” priorities for metro Vancouver; VIA Rail Canada released a five-year sustainability plan; and Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) installed its first solar canopy as part of a four-station project expected to provide nearly 10 megawatts of renewable energy to the local grid.