Long Island Rail Road

Transit Briefs: NYMTA, SCVTA, VRE/MDOT MTA, Amtrak, LIRR

The New York Metropolitan Authority’s (MTA) G Line Signal Modernization Project enters the third phase. Also, the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (SCVTA) unifies schedule changes and contracts Econolite Systems for the installation of equipment to detect transit signal priority (TSP) calls at at-grade light rail intersections; Virginia Railway Express (VRE) and the Maryland Department of Transportation Maryland Transit Administration (MDOT MTA) celebrate a new collaborative agreement to advance regional connectivity; Amtrak restores full service on the Quincy-Chicago Corridor; and the Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) highlights the 45-year anniversary of the first-ever, women-only operated train.

Amtrak on June 14 will hold hiring events in Washington, D.C., and Philadelphia, Pa., and online. More than 4,000 positions are available. (Amtrak Photograph)

Transit Briefs: Amtrak, BART, Maryland DOT, NYMTA, PANY/NJ

Amtrak is hosting in-person and virtual hiring events on June 14, and will temporarily suspend some Michigan-to-Chicago Wolverine service. Also, San Francisco Bay Area Rapid Transit District (BART) approves a two-year budget, including a fare hike; Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT) is seeking public input to help shape its long-range transportation plan; New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) will introduce blue lighting inside select subway stations; and the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey (PANY/NJ) issues a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) for the AirTrain Newark replacement program.

Transit Briefs: NYMTA/LIRR, SEPTA

The New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) rolls out modifications to Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) Grand Central Madison train service. Also, Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) officials express concern about the quality of work performed by China Railway Rolling Stock Corp. (CRRC).

Grand Central Madison Open for Business

Originally planned for completion in 2009, the Long Island Rail Road’s East Side Access Project is finally finished and in service. On Jan. 25, revenue trains ran from the LIRR’s Jamaica station to a new terminal facility 14 stories beneath Madison Avenue in Midtown Manhattan. The new terminal is slightly northwest of Metro North’s historic Grand Central Terminal. The New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) has named the new facility “Grand Central Madison.”

Marc A. Hermann/MTA

Transit Briefs: LIRR, MassDOT/Northern Tier Passenger Rail, St. Louis Metro Transit

The opening date of the Long Island Rail Road’s (LIRR) Grand Central Madison station has been delayed due to an ongoing issue with an exhaust fan; Massachusetts Department of Transportation’s (MassDOT) Northern Tier Passenger Rail service could cost up to $2 billion; and four MetroLink stations in St. Clair County will receive the system’s first fare collection gates next year.