Canada’s Alto and the Cadence consortium sign an agreement to develop HSR (high-speed rail) between Toronto and Québec City. Also, the Canadian government advances Metrolinx’s Hazel McCallion LRT extension in Brampton, Ontario; and Vancouver’s TransLink completes upgrades to the Brentwood Town Center SkyTrain Station in Burnaby.
Finally, nine years after VIA Rail proposed a dedicated passenger rail line for the Toronto-Quebec corridor, outgoing Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau raised a highball for design of the railway by a
The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority’s South Coast Rail (SCR) project remains on track to open this spring. Also, a proposed rail link to Bradley International Airport gains traction with a new bill.
The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) Board of Directors on July 25 approved a $54 million plan to bring BEMU (battery-electric multiple-unit) train service to the Fairmount Commuter Rail Line, which, the agency says, “will ultimately result on more frequent service and lower emissions in surrounding communities.”
Work is now under way across all contracts that make up Metrolinx’s Ontario Line project. Also, AECOM has been selected as design partner for the Capital Line South Light Rail Transit Extension project in Alberta; Amtrak and Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) launch separate rail marketing campaigns; New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) breaks ground on Grand Central Madison’s 45th Street entrance; and Seattle’s Sound Transit advances the Kent Station Parking and Access Improvements project on the Sounder S Line.
A new Denver Regional Transportation District (RTD) study confirms Boulder train’s high costs. Also, Sound Transit’s West Seattle light rail estimate soars past $6 billion; the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) shares updates on the South Coast Rail project; NJ Transit advances a railcar “safe haven” storage and inspection facility project; Brightline celebrates one year of Orlando service; and TransLink converts its West Coast Express fleet to renewable diesel.
Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) begins installation of Next Generation Fare Gates and receives a $14.1 million grant to install more electric vehicle charging stations at the agency’s parking facilities. Also, Keolis Commuter Services and the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) launch a NaviLens pilot to help blind and low vision riders navigate stations; Valley Metro selects a construction contractor and artists for its Capitol Light Rail Extension project; and the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) is awarded the 2024 America’s Transportation Award for its upgrades to the Chicago-St. Louis passenger rail line.
Keolis partners with communities to brighten Fairmount Line stations. Also, Metrolinx customers can now add a PRESTO card to Apple Wallet; and crews break ground on Metrolinx’s future Ontario Line connection at Pape Station.
The San Bernardino County Transportation Authority (SBCTA) welcomes North America’s first self-powered, zero-emission passenger train to Southern California. Also, Denver’s Regional Transportation District (RTD) launches a new program to provide face-to-face assistance to customers; the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) Board of Directors commits to funding a pilot program for electric trains; and LA Metro releases its Draft Environmental Impact Statement/Supplemental Environmental Impact Report (EIS/SEIR) for the Link Union Station Project (Link US).
Amtrak issues a Fiscal Year (FY) 2023 Sustainability Report, detailing its progress to Net-Zero greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 2045. Also, Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA) adopts FY 2025 operating and capital budgets; and Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) delays the launch of South Coast Rail.
