An artist's rendering of Scarlett Station, one of two above-ground stations on the 5.7-mile Eglinton Crosstown West Extension project, which will also include four underground stations and one at-grade/trenched terminus station. (Metrolinx Image)

Transit Briefs: Metrolinx, LACMTA, Brightline, Amtrak

Canada’s Infrastructure Ontario and Metrolinx are evaluating Stations, Rail and Systems (SRS) package proposals for the Eglinton Crosstown West Extension in Toronto. Also, Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (LACMTA) selects the chief who will lead its new in-house public safety department; Brightline, Florida’s private-sector passenger railroad, teams with Industrious to offer riders “on-the-go” workspaces; and Amtrak and Crayola partner to promote family travel.

Rendering of the Siemens Mobility AP 220 high-speed trainset for Brightline West. (Courtesy of Siemens Mobility)

Transit Briefs: Brightline West, LACMTA, Calgary Transit, NYMTA

Brightline West’s private activity bond sale “exceeds expectations.” Also, Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (LACMTA) readies for expanded Foothill Gold Line light rail service; Calgary Transit is launching a two-car train service pilot; and New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) completes more than 50% of a system-wide subway-lighting upgrade project and reports on Reduced-Fare rider use of its new contactless tap-and-go fare payment method.

“Between improved reliability, safety enhancements, and amenities, R211 cars will make a world of difference for G train riders,” MTA NYCT President Demetrius Crichlow said March 4. “The R211 [rapid transit] cars are state of the art and less prone to breakdowns, which means smoother trips and more reliable service for decades to come.” The cars operate with an open gangway; NYCT debuted them on the C line in 2024. (Marc A. Hermann / MTA)

Transit Briefs: NYCT, NJT, LACMTA, Tri-Rail, Fort Worth

The first set of Kawasaki-built open-gangway rapid transit cars is now running on MTA New York City Transit’s (NYCT) crosstown G line. Also, New Jersey Transit (NJT) is speeding up efforts to replace windows on all Multilevel commuter railcars in revenue service; Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (LACMTA) is expanding a pilot program that screens riders for weapons; South Florida’s Tri-Rail commuter rail system may face a $90 million annual deficit; and Fort Worth, Tex., eyes a downtown rail system.

(William C. Vantuono Photograph)

Transit Briefs: NJT, NJT/Amtrak, LACMTA, CTDOT, STV, NCTD, BART

The New Jersey Governor’s proposed budget includes a state corporate transit fee to help financially strapped New Jersey Transit (NJT). Also, the final arch is installed for the Portal North Bridge project, which will speed NJT commuter rail and Amtrak intercity passenger rail service; Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority’s (LACMTA) ridership was up 8% in 2024; Connecticut commuter railroads continued their post-pandemic ridership rebound last year; STV, as part of a progressive design-build (PDB) team, extends Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport’s automated people mover (APM) system; North County Transit District (NCTD) proclaims Feb. 25 as Crystal Trent Day in honor of San Diego’s first African American female engineer; and San Francisco Bay Area Rapid Transit District (BART) introduces a team that has five minutes to clean each rapid transit train.

Chicago’s Metra has selected STV to support its procurement of eight two-car, battery-electric trainsets from Stadler. (Stadler Rendering, Courtesy of STV)

Transit Briefs: Metra, LACMTA, VIA Rail

Chicago’s Metra selects STV to support its procurement of new battery-electric, single-level trainsets. Also, Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (LACMTA) expands its TAP-to-Exit program; and VIA Rail Canada (VIA Rail) boosts ticket sales with a new partnership program.

“Today, the 9.1-mile, four-station Foothill Gold Line light rail project from Glendora to Pomona [California] reached substantial completion on time and on budget,” the project team reported Jan. 3 via social media platform X. (Foothill Gold Line Image)

Transit Briefs: LACMTA, Met Council, SacRT

Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority’s (LACMTA) $1.5 billion Foothill Gold Line light rail project in California reaches substantial completion. Also, Metropolitan (Met) Council’s 2025 operating budget invests in a “safe, clean, and welcoming experience” for Metro Transit rail and bus riders in the Twin Cities; and Sacramento Regional Transit District’s (SacRT) light rail service resumes to all Folsom, Calif., area stations.

Caltrain is transferring its retired gallery cars (90) and diesel locomotives (19) to the municipality of Lima in Peru, where they will operate in as part of a new east-west commuter rail service. (Caltrain Photograph)

Transit Briefs: Caltrain, Amtrak, LACMTA

California’s Caltrain sends its retired trains to the municipality of Lima in Peru. Also, Amtrak welcomes back Keystone Service riders after restoring weekday trains between Lancaster and Harrisburg, Pa.; and Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (LACMTA) celebrates the completion of a mixed-use housing development adjacent to the E Line’s Soto Station in Boyle Heights.

LACMTA has selected AtkinsRéalis to provide program management support services for the transit agency’s acquisition of 182 new HR5000 cars from Hyundai Rotem. (Hyundai Rotem Photograph)

Transit Briefs: LACMTA, PATH, WMATA, HDR

Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (LACMTA) advances the Southeast Gateway Line project and selects AtkinsRéalis to provide program management support services for its acquisition of 182 new rapid transit cars. Also, Port Authority of New York and New Jersey will close the PATH Hoboken station for nearly a month next year to complete track and station work; Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) launches an in-house training academy; and HDR Engineering, Inc., will lead scoping work for the Eau Claire to Twin Cities passenger rail project.

“The drop in criminal activity on BART is happening as we have been going all out to implement our Safe and Clean Plan,” BART General Manager Bob Powers said in reference to the agency’s commitment to boost rider safety and provide clean service. “Our riders have been loud and clear that they want us to step our game up when it comes to their safety and the cleanliness of our system.” (BART Photograph)

Transit Briefs: BART, LACMTA, MDOT

San Francisco Bay Area Rapid Transit District (BART) experiences a double-digit drop in crime. Also, Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (LACMTA) logs its 22nd consecutive month of year-over-year ridership growth; and Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT) launches a strategic plan for development around MARC commuter rail stations.

From left to right: Eric Buettner, Cando Rail & Terminals; Dr. Glynell Horn Jr. and Steven Martingano, Denver (Colo.) Regional Transportation District; and Rachel Bernhard, HDR. (Photographs courtesy of the respective organizations)

People News: Cando Rail & Terminals, Denver RTD, LACMTA, HDR

Cando Rail & Terminals appoints Eric Buettner as Chief Legal Officer. Also, Denver (Colo.) Regional Transportation District (RTD) names Dr. Glynell Horn Jr. and Steven Martingano as Acting Co-Chiefs of its Transit Police and Emergency Management Department; Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (LACMTA) selects Tim Lindholm as Chief Program Management Officer; and HDR elevates Rachel Bernhard to Value Engineering and Project Risk Director.

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