MTA on Jan. 14 released data on traffic volumes, travel times, and transit ridership from the congestion relief program’s first week. The program took effect Sunday, Jan. 5, 2025. (MTA Photograph)

Transit Briefs: New York/MTA, Massachusetts/MBTA, Rio Metro, DART, UTA, VTA

New York Gov. Kathy Hochul announces MTA New York City subway safety initiatives. Also, MTA releases preliminary traffic and transit data from the congestion relief program’s first work week; Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey plans an $8 billion investment to improve regional transit, roads, and bridges and to stabilize MBTA finances; New Mexico’s Rio Metro Regional Transit District (Rio Metro) lands a federal grant for a new commuter rail Operations and Maintenance Facility; progress on Dallas Area Rapid Transit’s (DART) Silver Line continues with passenger service targeted for late 2025 or early 2026; Utah Transit Authority’s (UTA) ridership recovery reaches near pre-pandemic levels; and Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) and 17 other transit agencies sign the Equity In Infrastructure Project Pledge.

BLET, Keolis Commuter Services Reach Tentative Agreement

The Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET) recently announced that it has reached a tentative contract with Keolis Commuter Services for locomotive engineers working at the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) in Boston.

Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey, Lt. Gov. Kim Driscoll and MBTA General Manager Phillip Eng joined MBTA workers and riders at Boston’s North Station to celebrate the completion of the T’s Track Improvement Program and the removal of slow zones for the first time in 20 years. (Photograph Courtesy of MBTA)

Transit Briefs: MBTA, SkyTrain

Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) wraps up its track improvement program. Also, the new Capstan SkyTrain Station on the Canada Line in Richmond, British Columbia, is open.

Sound Transit photo

Transit Briefs: Sound Transit, AECOM/ATP, DPU/MBTA

Sound Transit adds GoodMaps wayfinding tool for riders to five more Link stations. Also, Austin Transit Partnership (ATP) selects AECOM for the Phase 1 delivery of Austin’s first light rail system; and the Massachusetts Department of Public Utilities (DPU) receives a favorable report from the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) on its safety oversight of the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA).

Transit Briefs: LA Metro, Amtrak, MBTA

The first phase of the Foothill Gold Line Extension light rail line from Glendora to Pomona, Calif., will be transferred to LA Metro next month. Also, Amtrak and STARR Restaurant Group introduce a new seasonal menu on Acela First Class for customers traveling between Boston, New York, Philadelphia and Washington, D.C., on the Northeast Corridor (NEC); and the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) releases its Draft Environmental Assessment (EA) for the North Station Draw One Bridge Replacement Project.

Pictured (left to right): Brad Thomas and David Scorey, Keolis North America; Jess Carneiro, Bohr Electronics; and Scott Sauer, SEPTA. (Photographs courtesy of the respective organizations)

People News: Keolis North America, Bohr Electronics, SEPTA, IANA

Brad Thomas is succeeding David Scorey as President and CEO of Keolis North America. Also, Bohr Electronics taps Jess Carneiro as Outside Sales Manager; Scott Sauer takes on the Interim General Manager role at Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA); and Intermodal Association of North America (IANA) elects its 2025 Board of Directors.

Amtrak announces the restoration of Empire Service in time for the holiday season. (Photograph Courtesy of the New York Governor’s Office)

Transit Briefs: Amtrak, MBTA, Metrolinx

Amtrak restores Empire Service. Also, Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) is acquiring more Hyundai Rotem bilevels and taking delivery, on schedule, of new Orange and Red line railcars from CRRC; and Metrolinx advances the Ontario Line project in Toronto.

(Courtesy of GCRTA)

Transit Briefs: GCRTA, CTA, MBTA, NJT, SFMTA

Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority (GCRTA) celebrates 50 years of service. Also, Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) signs a new two-year agreement for expanded social service outreach; Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) releases its Strategic Plan Update detailing progress on fiscal and infrastructure improvements; New Jersey Transit (NJT) lands federal grant to study transit-oriented development in Paterson; and San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency (SFMTA) launches an official Muni merchandise store.

People News: METRO, MBTA

The Metropolitan Transit Authority of Harris County (METRO) appoints Ban Tien as the new Police Chief. Also, the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) announces the return of Subway Line Managers.

Transit Briefs: BART, Amtrak, MBTA, MDOT MTA, SCVTA

Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) receives a $544.6 million loan from the U.S. Department of Transportation’s (USDOT) Build America Bureau for 775 new passenger railcars. Also, funding is secured through the Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvements (CRISI) grant program to begin construction for the Amtrak passenger rail service between Scranton, Pa., and New York City; the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) showcases the future Green Line Type 10 vehicle mockup at Boston City Hall Plaza; Maryland Department of Transportation Maryland Transit Administration (MDOT MTA) riders can now purchase CharmPass fares directly through the agency’s Transit app; and Santa Clara County community-based organizations and local agencies receive Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (SCVTA) funding through the agency’s program to enhance transit-oriented communities.

LOAD MORE