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.

PATH logged 5.12 million riders in September, the rapid transit system’s busiest month since pre-pandemic February 2020. (PATH Photograph)

Transit Briefs: PATH, TriMet, Metrolinx, MBTA

Port Authority of New York and New Jersey’s (PANY/NJ) PATH sets ridership records in September. Also, Tri-County Metropolitan Transportation District of Oregon (TriMet) launches a unified Security Operations Center; Metrolinx completes accessibility upgrades at Eglinton GO Station in Scarborough, Ontario; and Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) wraps up Orange Line track work, removing 20 speed restrictions.

Work has officially begun along all parts of the 9.7-mile (15.6-kilometer), 15-station Ontario Line subway, which will run from Exhibition Place through the downtown core and connect to the Eglinton Crosstown LRT at Don Mills Road. (Map Courtesy of Metrolinx)

Transit Briefs: Metrolinx, City of Edmonton, Amtrak, MBTA, NYMTA, Sound Transit

Work is now under way across all contracts that make up Metrolinx’s Ontario Line project. Also, AECOM has been selected as design partner for the Capital Line South Light Rail Transit Extension project in Alberta; Amtrak and Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) launch separate rail marketing campaigns; New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) breaks ground on Grand Central Madison’s 45th Street entrance; and Seattle’s Sound Transit advances the Kent Station Parking and Access Improvements project on the Sounder S Line.

Transit Briefs: MBTA, NYMTA, TriMet, LA Metro, LOSSAN Rail Corridor Agency

Arlington, Mass., explores an extension of the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) Red Line. Also, the New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) commits to awarding up to $7.5 billion to historically underutilized businesses as part of its next Capital Plan; a new survey shows the overall approval of TriMet increasing; LA Metro’s August ridership marks the 21st consecutive month of year-over-year growth; and Gov. Gavin Newsom signs legislation giving California more agency in managing the Los Angeles-San Luis Obispo-San Diego (LOSSAN) rail corridor.

The SEPTA Board has approved the purchase of 100 full-length fare gates from Conduent Transport Solutions, Inc. (SEPTA Photograph)

Transit Briefs: SEPTA, MBTA, WMATA, BART

Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) expands its pilot program on combating fare evasion with the purchase of 100 full-length fare gates. Also, Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) releases a climate assessment; Washington Metropolitan Area Transportation Authority (WMATA) will soon transition to operator-attended ATO (Automatic Train Operation); and San Francisco Bay Area Rapid Transit District (BART) breaks its post-pandemic ridership record.

Transit Briefs: NYMTA, Amtrak, Metro-North, DART, UDOT, MBTA

The New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) launches a new feature on its TrainTime app. Also, Amtrak launches the Floridian, with daily service between Chicago and Miami; Metro-North Railroad launches a pilot program for customers to report restrooms in need of maintenance; Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) signs a 10-year office lease at Knoll Trail Crossing; the Utah Department of Transportation (UDOT) gets ready to begin a statewide passenger rail feasibility study; and the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) wins $472 million in federal funding to replace the North Station Draw One Bridge.

Transit Briefs: Denver RTD, Sound Transit, MBTA, NJ Transit, Brightline, TransLink

A new Denver Regional Transportation District (RTD) study confirms Boulder train’s high costs. Also, Sound Transit’s West Seattle light rail estimate soars past $6 billion; the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) shares updates on the South Coast Rail project; NJ Transit advances a railcar “safe haven” storage and inspection facility project; Brightline celebrates one year of Orlando service; and TransLink converts its West Coast Express fleet to renewable diesel.

Is Brightline coming to Stuart, Fla.? Maybe not, according to local media. (Brightline Photograph)

Transit Briefs: Brightline, Caltrain, MBTA, VA DRPT

The City of Stuart backs out of a station deal with Brightline, Florida’s private-sector passenger railroad. Also, Caltrain plans a launch party for electric service between San Francisco and San Jose, Calif.; weekend-pass sales were up 40% this summer for Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) Commuter Rail; and the Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation (DRPT) rolls out a “Connects Communities” campaign.

Transit Briefs: BART, Keolis/MBTA, Valley Metro, IDOT

Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) begins installation of Next Generation Fare Gates and receives a $14.1 million grant to install more electric vehicle charging stations at the agency’s parking facilities. Also, Keolis Commuter Services and the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) launch a NaviLens pilot to help blind and low vision riders navigate stations; Valley Metro selects a construction contractor and artists for its Capitol Light Rail Extension project; and the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) is awarded the 2024 America’s Transportation Award for its upgrades to the Chicago-St. Louis passenger rail line.

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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