Chicagoland’s Metra is kicking off a fare collection technology pilot. Also, Sacramento Regional Transit District (SacRT) in California is building a Transit Ambassador team. Also, Denver Regional Transportation District (RTD) partners with Denver International Airport to boost Spring Break ridership.
Metra on Dec. 1, 2025, advised the Surface Transportation Board (STB) that “despite concerted and ongoing efforts,” no agreement has been reached on the conditions and compensation for the Chicagoland regional/commuter railroad’s use of Union Pacific’s (UP) terminal facilities, and requested the Board’s help to do so. The Board responded Dec. 2 and followed up March 12, 2026, directing the parties to continue negotiations, for now.
The San Francisco Bay Area Rapid Transit District (BART) Board adopts an alternative service plan outlining budget-balancing details. Also, Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) is developing a rail modernization plan to provide more frequent, reliable and accessible regional rail service; Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET) members ratify a new contract with Alstom and Maryland’s MARC commuter rail; and Chicago’s Metra schedules 41 safety blitzes for 2026.
Rail infrastructure upgrades are nearing completion for the revival of Northlander service in Ontario, Canada. Also, Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) and Metra post ridership gains in 2025; San Francisco Bay Area Transportation District (BART) launches free Wi-Fi at five stations in time for the Super Bowl; and Alstom completes base-order delivery of automated people-mover vehicles to Denver International Airport (DEN).
The Regional Transportation Authority (Chicago, Ill.) on Dec. 18 voted to adopt the 2025 Regional Transit Operating Budget and 2026-2030 Capital Program following the signing of the Northern Illinois Transit Authority (NITA)
Illinois Governor JB Pritzker on Dec. 16 signed the Northern Illinois Transit Authority (NITA) Act, SB2111, into law, “marking a landmark action in modernizing Illinois’ transit system.” The law creates a new regional authority to oversee the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA), Metra, and Pace, “while delivering significant investments in public transit, capital projects, and tollways across the state—all without raising statewide taxes.”
The Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) reaches a tentative contract agreement with Transport Workers Union (TWU) 234. Also, Metra’s Operation North Pole (ONP) Christmas train returns to the rails, and the agency opens its online merchandise store; the Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA) releases the 2025 update of its Next 10 Delivery Plan; and Alto’s Toronto-Quebec City HSR (high-speed rail) project likely won’t connect to Union Station.
Since the emergency infusion of federal funds for transit enacted during the COVID-19 pandemic started to run out, Railway Age has been reporting on how major transit providers have been faring. Some,
Railway Age and Railway Track & Structures on Oct. 15-16 hosted the third-annual in-person Women in Rail Conference with a packed lineup of influential women and their allies, who shared experiences, celebrated achievements, and discussed the future
The Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) completes Federal Railroad Administration (FRA)-mandated inspections of its Silverliner IV fleet. Also, the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) awards more than $750,000 in transit-oriented communities grants; TriMet receives nearly 5,000 responses to its Service Priorities Survey; Metra wins $19.3 million from Union Pacific (UP) for fare collection lapse; NJ Transit issues a Request for Proposals (RFP) to prepare the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) for the 10-mile Hudson-Bergen Light Rail (HBLR) extension; and Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) sees the highest average weekday ridership since the pandemic.
