TriMet on Aug. 28 officially launched the 7.8-mile, 10-station Max Red Line extension, wrapping up its three-year, $218 million A Better Red project to increase the light rail system’s reliability, to serve the growing job center of Washington County, and to provide more people with a one-seat ride to and from Portland International Airport. (TriMet Photograph)

Transit Briefs: LACMTA, MBTA, TriMet, CCJPA/Amtrak, City of Edmonton

Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (LACMTA) releases its Fiscal Year (FY) 2025 adopted budget book. Also, Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) wraps up Red Line track work, removing six speed restrictions; Tri-County Metropolitan Transportation District of Oregon (TriMet) celebrates the launch of its MAX Red Line extension into Hillsboro; Capitol Corridor Joint Powers Authority (CCJPA), Amtrak, and other rail partners kick off September Rail Safety Month with a safety train event; and the City of Edmonton, Alberta debuts the “Here to Help” campaign as part of its Enhanced Transit Safety Plan.

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Tenth of a Series: ‘T’ Stands for ‘Trouble’

I now complete my “tour around the country” to find out how major transit providers are faring in their efforts to keep going, despite the deficits those agencies will face when the

Transit Briefs: BART, MBTA, Hill International/SCVTA, CTA, ACE

The first of three legacy Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) cars are delivered to the Western Railway Museum (WRM). Also, the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) expands access to reduced fares for income-eligible riders; the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (SCVTA) selects Hill International to continue Project Management & Staff Support (PMSS) services for its ongoing capital program; the Chicago Transit Authority’s (CTA) Red Line Extension (RLE) Project moves closer to groundbreaking; and Levi’s® Stadium renews its partnership with the Altamont Corridor Express (ACE) regional/commuter rail service.

MBTA CEO and General Manager Phillip Eng (center) on Aug. 14 signed an agreement with Hyundai Rotem CEO Yong Bae Lee (left) and Hyundai Rotem USA President Steve (Sung Hoon) Kang for 41 more Commuter Rail cars. (MBTA Photograph)

For MBTA, Another 41 Hyundai Rotem Bilevels

Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) on Aug. 14 exercised an option under a 2019 contract with Hyundai Rotem for an additional 41 bilevels for Commuter Rail service.

MBTA crews and contractors earlier this month replaced track and ties along the Green Line B Branch. (Photograph Courtesy of MBTA Customer and Employee Experience Department)

Transit Briefs: MBTA, PATH, TriMet, WMATA

Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) completes Green Line B Branch track work, removing eight speed restrictions. Also, Port Authority of New York and New Jersey’s (PANY/NJ) PATH tap-and-go fare payment system marks a milestone; Oregon’s new drug law will improve safety on TriMet (Tri-County Metropolitan Transportation District of Oregon); and Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) receives LEED® certification for two more projects.

(Image Courtesy of Amtrak)

Transit Briefs: Amtrak, MBTA, SunRail, OLI (UPDATED 8/14)

Amtrak’s Northeast Corridor (NEC) track infrastructure investments are up 109% for summer 2024. Also, Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) eyes public transit and mixed-use development at the Alewife Station complex; SunRail launches its 17th commuter rail station in central Florida; and Operation Lifesaver, Inc. (OLI) welcomes applications for a new competitive Online Transit Safety Pledge Grant.

Transit Briefs: MARTA, Metro Transit, MBTA/Keolis, Caltrain

The Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA) is honored with the American Public Transportation Association’s (APTA) Outstanding Public Transportation System Award. Also, Metro Transit’s Mall of America transit station gets a $25 million facelift; dispatching responsibilities for Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority’s (MBTA) South Coast Rail territory will now be performed by Keolis Commuter Services; and Caltrain lowers fares for youth riders.

People News: STV, MBTA, HNTB, UP

Kitts Christov joins STV as Senior President and Midwest District Manager. Also, the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) appoints Jeff Cook as permanent Chief Administrative Officer and Alicia Gomes as the inaugural Executive Director of Light Rail; Ryan Davis joins HNTB as Deputy Program Manager; and Union Pacific (UP) appoints Josh Perkes to Senior Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer.

“Due to higher availability of subway operators, the addition of new Orange Line cars, and steady improvements to track infrastructure, the number of weekday trips delivered each day on the Red, Orange, and Blue … subway lines has increased significantly over the last year,” according to MBTA. (MBTA Photograph)

Transit Briefs: MBTA, NYMTA, TransLink

Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) reports performance progress across rapid transit, bus and paratransit services; opens a new customer service facility; and brings the customer service call center back in-house. Also, Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) is providing contactless fare payment cards to New York City Public School students; and Metro Vancouver’s TransLink releases a new report detailing “drastic potential transit service cuts” to close a funding gap.

MassDOT Receives $360,000 for Mobility Management Program

The Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) on July 22 announced that it has received a $360,000 grant from the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) Innovative Coordinated Access & Mobility (ICAM) Program to undertake

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