CTA's Garfield Green Line Station has received the international BLT Built Design Award in the "Bridges and Public Architecture" category.

Transit Briefs: Minn. Met Council, CTA, LA Metro, MBTA/RIDOT

Minnesota’s Metropolitan Council (Met Council) approves $350 million in federal transportation investments. Also, Chicago Transit Authority’s (CTA) Bryn Mawr Red Line Station wins Architecture “MasterPrize” Award and Garfield Green Line Station wins BLT Built Design Award; LA Metro’s Foothill Gold Line Light Rail Project is nearly two-thirds complete as 2022 ends; and the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority’s (MBTA) Pawtucket, R.I., commuter rail station is set to open Jan. 23.

Brightline’s two new South Florida stations—Boca Raton and Adventura—will launch Dec. 21. (Pictured, Adventura Station during a November “sneak peak.”)

Transit Briefs: Brightline, LACMTA, MARTA, MBTA, NYMTA, SEPTA

On Dec. 21, two new stations will open for Brightline, Florida’s private-sector passenger railroad. Also, Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (LACMTA) celebrates its inaugural Youth Council; the first of the brand-new Stadler-built rapid transit car bodies arrive at Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA); Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) eyes Widett Circle property for a new Commuter Rail layover yard; New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) recognizes 51 employees for delivering “exemplary service”; and Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) launches a mobile ticketing pilot program.

FTA earlier this month asked MBTA to revise and resubmit 12 corrective action plans “pertaining to hiring challenges, safety procedures and rail transit operations,” according to a Dec. 8 Sentinel & Enterprise report.

Transit Briefs: MBTA, PANY/NJ, SFMTA, TriMet, VPRA, WMATA

The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) has asked Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) to resubmit 12 corrective action plans addressing required safety improvements. Also, the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey (PANY/NJ) has issued a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) to replace AirTrain Newark with a new 2.5-mile elevated guideway train system; San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency (SFMTA) will offer Central Subway system riders wireless connectivity; Tri-County Metropolitan Transportation District of Oregon (TriMet) and the Small Business Administration (SBA) form a strategic alliance; Virginia Passenger Rail Authority (VPRA) and Amtrak celebrated 10 years of service between Norfolk and Washington, D.C.; and Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority’s (WMATA) long-awaited Potomac Yard Station is slated to open in May 2023.

The Georgia Department of Transportation’s recent safety audit of MARTA has found “a strong commitment to safety and no major safety gaps or concerns,” the transit authority reported on Dec. 8.

Transit Briefs: MARTA, MBTA, Metrolinx, NYMTA, RTA, Sound Transit

Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA) undergoes the Georgia Department of Transportation’s (GDOT) 2022 Triennial Safety Audit. Also, Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) celebrates “substantial completion” of the first of two construction contracts for its South Coast Rail Phase I project; a contractor-targeted opening date for the long-delayed Eglinton Crosstown LRT, one of four light rail projects in the Greater Toronto Hamilton Area, may be “overly ambitious,” according to a Metrolinx report obtained by the Toronto Star; New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) in early 2023 will begin phasing in a new role for subway station agents; Regional Transportation Authority of Northeastern Illinois (RTA) releases a draft strategic plan; and Sound Transit’s Downtown Redmond (Wash.) Link Extension has earned an award from the Institute for Sustainable Infrastructure.

TAP wearables are back for a limited time and are available at Metro Customer Centers.

Transit Briefs: LA Metro, BART, WMATA, East-West Rail, Santa Cruz RTC, NYMTA

LA Metro releases limited edition TAP wearables at Customer Centers. Also, Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) approves developer for North Berkley Transit Oriented Development (TOD); a new transit station area plan for the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority’s (WMATA) Huntington Metro Station, which serves the Yellow Line in Northern Virginia, has been approved; the East-West Rail Commission plans first hearing on Boston-Springfield passenger service; the Santa Cruz County Regional Transportation Commission (RTC) pursues concept report for electric rail; and the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) grants the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) a waiver for train safety at Grand Central Madison.

NYCT crews have completed deep cleaning at six out of the nine Bronx stations with the final three expected to be completed by the end of 2022.

Transit Briefs: NYCT, MBTA, Amtrak

MTA New York City Transit (NYCT) announces launch of “Station ReNEWvation Program.” Also, Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority’s (MBTA) South Coast Rail is on track for late 2023 start; and Amtrak releases Fiscal Year 2022 (FY22) summary.

Phase 1 of the South Coast Rail project is fully funded, and construction is nearing completion.

Transit Briefs: MBTA, SFMTA

Voters in two Massachusetts cities, New Bedford and Fall River, have voted to join the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) in allowing the agency to move forward with its South Coast Rail project. Also, the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Authority (SFMTA) opens new Muni metro station in the heart of Union Square and announces that it will switch over to a new, upgraded software system.

Transit Briefs: LA Metro, SacRT, MBTA

The Los Angeles Metropolitan Authority (Metro) will offer free rides on Election Day, Tuesday, Nov. 8. Also, the Sacramento Regional Transit District (SacRT) will offer free rides to active and retired military service men and women on Veterans Day, Friday, Nov. 11; and the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) will install an $80 million underground cable network to prevent train collisions and launches online “Find Your Polling Location” tool ahead of Election Day.

MBTA GM Steve Poftak will step down from the agency on Jan. 3, 2023.

MBTA General Manager Steve Poftak Resigns

Steve Poftak on Nov. 1 announced that he would step down as General Manager of Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA), effective Jan. 3, 2023.

MTA Photo

Transit Briefs: NYMTA, DART, MBTA, CATS

The New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority’s (MTA) transition to “tap and go” payment system, One Metro New York (OMNY), may take until June 2025. Also, Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) will provide free transportation to polling locations on Nov. 8; the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) expands Pay-Per-Use limited fare program to local employers; and the City of Charlotte approves $14.8 million to expand Charlotte Area Transit System (CATS) rail yard.

LOAD MORE