As transgender issues and rights have moved to the forefront over the last few years, CTA has added the Transgender Flag—featuring blue, pink and white—to its train wrap celebrating “Pride Month” (June). (Photograph Courtesy of CTA)

Transit Briefs: CTA, LACMTA, MARTA, NYMTA

Chicago Transit Authority’s (CTA) Pride Train returned to service this month. Also, Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (LACMTA) has earned a Transportation Security Administration award; Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA) is establishing a farm in DeKalb County, Ga.; and a new group of subway train operators completed training at New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA).

On May 23, Bernard Jackson will become COO of Dallas Area Rapid Transit.

DART Names Jackson COO

Bernard Jackson is leaving Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (LACMTA) to join Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) as Chief Operations Officer, effective May 23.

LACMTA: FTA LOI for East San Fernando Valley Transit Corridor LRT

The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) on May 10 issued a Letter of Intent (LOI) to the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (LACMTA) announcing DOT’s intention to obligate funds for the first phase of the East San Fernando Valley Transit Corridor light rail line.

LACMTA’s approximately $2 billion, 8.5-mile Crenshaw/LAX Transit Corridor Project will extend light rail service from the E Line (Expo) at Expo/Crenshaw Station and merge with the C Line (Green) at Aviation/LAX Station, connecting the Crenshaw Corridor, Inglewood and El Segundo.

LACMTA: Crenshaw/LAX Project Launch To Begin This Summer

The Los Angeles County (Calif.) Metropolitan Transportation Authority (LACMTA) on March 30 marked “substantial completion” of the bulk of its 8.5-mile Crenshaw/LAX Transit Corridor Project. A partial line opening is expected in late summer.

LACMTA is planning a 19.3-mile light rail line linking Artesia in southeast L.A. County and downtown L.A.

Transit Briefs: LACMTA, NJ Transit

The Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority’s (LACMTA) West Santa Ana Branch Transit Corridor project has entered the Project Development phase of FTA’s Capital Investment Grants program. Also, there will be no fare hike at New Jersey Transit for Fiscal Year 2023.

The initial 14.8-mile segment of the 19.3-mile West Santa Ana Branch Transit Corridor project has been approved.

LACMTA Advances Artesia-Los Angeles Light Rail Project

The Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (LACMTA) Board on Jan. 27 approved the initial 14.8-mile segment of a planned 19.3-mile light rail line linking Artesia in southeast L.A. County and downtown L.A.

“This critical help from Congress is the reason we were able to keep most of our service running for essential trips during the pandemic and all of our workers employed,” LACMTA CEO Stephanie N. Wiggins said.

CTDOT, LACMTA, NJT, NYMTA: $9.4B in Grants for COVID-19 Response

The Federal Transit Administration is awarding American Rescue Plan (ARP) Act of 2021 grants for COVID-19 response to the Connecticut Department of Transportation (CTDOT, $332.5 million); Los Angeles Metropolitan Transportation Authority (LACMTA, $1.24 billion); New Jersey Transit (NJT, $1.6 billion); and New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority (NYMTA, $6.2 billion).

NCTD is partnering with Lyft, Uber and TripShot on a pilot to provide discounted first and last mile connections for riders using the Sorrento Valley and Carlsbad Poinsettia COASTER stations.

Transit Briefs: LACMTA, NCTD, TTC

Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (LACMTA) now includes canceled rail and bus trips on its transit app. Also, California’s North County Transit District (NCTD) is launching a first-mile, last-mile pilot program for COASTER regional/commuter rail riders; and Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) at the end of 2021 fired 354 workers who did not comply with its mandatory COVID-19 vaccination policy.

Transit Briefs: DART, MARTA, MBTA, Metrolink, San Diego MTS

Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) and a developer partnered to add a one-acre park near Victory Station. In addition, Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA) awarded a 10-year transit and digital advertising contract; Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) celebrated the completion of the Chelsea commuter rail station; the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (LACMTA) Board approved final environmental studies for Metrolink’s Antelope Valley Line Capacity and Service Improvements Program; and San Diego’s Metropolitan Transit System (MTS) determined that a Trolley extension to the airport is feasible and can be built within 10 years.

Transit Briefs: LACMTA; NYMTA; SFRTA; STM; Metra

Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (LACMTA) has installed earthquake early warning systems at 26 rail and bus division facilities. In addition, New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) is forming a subsidiary to oversee the new East Side Access project terminal; South Florida Regional Transportation Authority’s (SFRTA) Tri-Rail is resuming full service; Thales has delivered interlocking systems for three Société de Transport de Montréal (STM) rapid transit stations; and Wabtec will provide doors, brakes, HVAC systems and event recorders for Metra’s new multilevels.

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