Amtrak’s Adirondack service between New York City and Montreal will resume April 3. It had been suspended for three years due to the pandemic.

Transit Briefs: Amtrak, CATS, MBTA, Metrolinx, NYCT, TransLink

Amtrak, the New York State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT) and VIA Rail Canada are fully restoring Adirondack service. Also, a Charlotte Area Transit System (CATS) derailment report raises light rail vehicle safety concerns; Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) lifts Green Line speed restrictions; Metrolinx, the Greater Toronto Hamilton Area transit authority, launches the #GOTransitReads by Legible Book Club; MTA New York City Transit (NYCT) logs more “Station Re-NEW-vation Program” work; and the government of British Columbia provides C$479 million in emergency funding for metro Vancouver’s TransLink.

Transit Briefs: LIRR, UTA, MBTA

The New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) announces additional enhanced service, effective March 13. Also, the Utah Transit Authority (UTA) offers mobile ticketing in its official Transit app; and the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA), after being hit with six safety violations following an inspection of the Red Line, implements new speed restrictions.

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).

BART will increase police patrols on trains and in stations, increase the frequency of “deep cleaning” of train cars and add more “scrub crew” cleaning at stations this spring. (BART Photograph)

Transit Briefs: BART, LIRR, MBTA

San Francisco Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) is boosting police presence and cleaning in response to rider concerns. Also, New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) and federal, state and local officials celebrate the start of full-scale Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) service to Grand Central Madison; and Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) launches a safety dashboard for riders and pushes back implementation of its new automated fare collection system.

CTA has signed an MOU with the U.S. Army to join the the Partnership for Your Success (PaYS) recruiting initiative.

Transit Briefs: CTA, MARTA, MBTA

The Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) signs agreement with U.S. Army as part of veteran recruitment efforts. Also, the Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA) receives AAA credit rating from Standard & Poor’s (S&P); and Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey deploys independent team of experts to expedite CRRC’s (China Railway Rolling Stock Corp.) delivery of remaining train cars to the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA).

Marymoor Village is one of two stations under construction as part of the Downtown Redmond Link Extension. (Sound Transit photo)

Transit Briefs: MARTA, CTA, BART, Sound Transit, MBTA

The Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA) Police Department (MPD) accomplishes a significant reduction in violent crime in 2022; the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) awards $75 million contract for Racine Blue Line Station improvements; Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) unveils new campaigns to complement ridership recovery; Sound Transit releases fresh pics of the Downtown Redmond Link Extension project; and the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) looks to hire additional dispatchers and train operators to enhance subway service.

Massachusetts State Rep. William Straus (10th Bristol) has filed two bills that, if approved, would leave MBTA charged with subway and bus services only.

Transit Briefs: MBTA; Miami-Dade, Fla.; NYMTA

A Massachusetts lawmaker eyes structural changes at Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA). Also, the Citizens’ Independent Transportation Trust (CITT) in Miami-Dade, Fla., launches an ambassador program; and MTA New York City Transit (NYCT) unveils its first dedicated customer service centers.

MBTA photo

Reports: CRRC MBTA Railcar Delivery Delayed Again

Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) officials were recently notified that CRRC (China Railway Rolling Stock Corp.) will not be able to deliver the remaining Orange and Red Line railcars by December 2023 and September 2026, respectively, and could face “daily fines of $500 for each late car,” according to a Boston Herald report.

Legislation has been filed in Massachusetts that would require MBTA and its commuter rail contractor to operate a fully electric system in the commonwealth by Dec. 31, 2035.

Transit Briefs: MBTA, MTC, NCTD, NYCT

Massachusetts legislator eyes electrification for MBTA commuter rail service. Also, the Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC) of San Francisco, Calif., hosts roundtable on Asian transit rider safety; California’s North County Transit District (NCTD) Board signs agreements for transit-oriented development projects in Carlsbad; and a flood mitigation and storm resiliency project at MTA New York City Transit’s (NYCT) 155th Street/Frederick Douglass Boulevard station receives award.

Ugo Salerno, Chairman and CEO of RINA (right), and Daniel Dietzler, Founder of Patrick Engineering (left).

RINA Acquires Patrick Engineering

Genoa, Italy-based inspection, certification and engineering consultancy firm RINA Group on Jan. 23 announced that it has entered the U.S. infrastructure market with the acquisition of Chicago-based engineering consultancy company Patrick Engineering Ltd.

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