KC Streetcar

Transit Briefs: NYMTA, SkyTrain, KC Streetcar

The New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) announces major congestion pricing-funded subway improvement projects moving forward. Also, Canada and TransLink invest in traction power upgrades across Metro Vancouver’s SkyTrain network; and KC Streetcar’s Riverfront Extension officially enters the testing phase.

“In 2021, the MTA was looking at a $2.5 billion annual deficit, but we have been able to get back on track thanks to the amazing support from Albany,” MTA Chair and CEO Janno Lieber said Nov. 19 upon release of the agency’s final 2026 operating budget and four-year financial plan. “That support allowed us to stay afloat without cutting service, without any layoffs—and another major factor in this agency’s fiscal stability has been the cost savings that we’ve achieved in recent years.” (MTA Photograph)

Transit Briefs: NYMTA, KC Streetcar, NCTD, WMATA, DART

New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) releases its final 2026 operating budget and four-year financial plan. Also, KC Streetcar will soon reveal plans for the new northern terminus and CPKC (Canadian Pacific Kansas City) Pavilion; North County Transit–San Diego Railroad (NCTD) and Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) move forward on transit-oriented development projects; and the Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) Board approves contracts to improve security and cleanliness systemwide.

KC Streetcar Celebrates Extension Grand Opening

Kansas City on Oct. 24 celebrated the grand opening of the $350 million KC Streetcar Main Street Extension. The project, designed by HDR, adds 3.5 miles to the existing streetcar line, connecting downtown with the Midtown corridor, including the Country Club Plaza district, ending at the University of Missouri-Kansas City Campus.

“On behalf of our Amtrak guests who count on daily Heartland Flyer trains, we thank the Texas Transportation Commission for approving the state’s share of funding of the service from the NCTCOG and its RTC,” said Jennifer Mitchell, Amtrak Executive Vice Presiden, on Aug. 21. (Heartland Flyer Photograph, Courtesy of Amtrak)

Transit Briefs: Amtrak, KC Streetcar, SEPTA, BART, Brightline

The Texas Transportation Commission approves the state’s share of funding to keep Amtrak’s Heartland Flyer running. Also, Kansas City (KC) Streetcar begins full-service simulated testing ahead of the Main Street Extension’s fall launch; Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority’s (SEPTA) system-wide ridership in July was up 4% from the same month last year; San Francisco Bay Area Rapid Transit District (BART) celebrates the installation of Next Generation Fare Gates at all San Mateo County, Calif., stations; and Brightline, Florida’s private-sector passenger railroad, partners with Capital One.

Transit Briefs: KC Streetcar, MTC, WMATA, Amtrak

KC Streetcar #814 arrives in Kansas City. Also, the Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC) and Bay Area transit agencies debut new transit maps and signs; the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority’s (WMATA) budget proposal includes targeted rail service increases; and Amtrak releases its Fiscal Year 2024 (FY24) Year-End Summary video.

Transit Briefs: Station Yards, NYMTA, NJ Transit, KC Streetcar

The next phase of Station Yards, a transit-oriented development spanning 53 acres around the Ronkonkoma Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) station, is unveiled. Also, the New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) launches a new campaign showcasing workers behind public transit; NJ Transit hosts its second large-scale public transportation event workshop in advance of FIFA World Cup 2026; and the KC Streetcar resumes service.

Kansas City Streetcar on Oct. 17 welcomed the fifth of eight new CAF USA-built streetcars to Missouri. (Kansas City Streetcar Photograph)

Transit Briefs: KC Streetcar, San Diego MTS, Alstom

Kansas City (Mo.) Streetcar takes delivery of the fifth new CAF USA-built vehicle that will support two extension projects. Also, San Diego (Calif.) Metropolitan Transit System (MTS) modifies its Fare Enforcement Diversion Program; and the Alstom Foundation funds youth programming at the New York Transit Museum.