Metrolink

Rendering of next-generation S200s for Metro Transit’s MetroLink service in St. Louis. (Courtesy of Siemens Mobility)

Transit Briefs: Metro Transit, PATH, MBTA

Metro Transit, St. Louis, will begin taking delivery of new high-floor LRVs (light rail vehicles) in 2027. Also, Port Authority of New York and New Jersey’s (PANY/NJ) PATH regains ridership in November, reaching 76% of the pre-pandemic level; and Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) closes out 2025 with service delivery, accessibility and infrastructure progress.

Transit Briefs: SEPTA, Metra, OCTA, Alto HSR Project

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.

Metrolink's new Arrow service is scheduled to start on Monday, Oct. 24.

CTC Approves $1.1B in Infrastructure Funds

The California Transportation Commission (CTC) on Dec. 8 approved $1.1 billion in infrastructure funding, including $53 million to purchase 12 clean energy locomotives to replace older diesel engines across Southern California’s Metrolink

(Courtesy of Willie D. Mills)
  • News

WIR Conference 2025: Connecting, Inspiring, Innovating

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

“Our Holiday Trains have become an annual tradition for our riders and their families, and we are happy to be operating them again,” said Metra CEO/Executive Director Jim Derwinski (pictured right during the 2024 event). “It’s our way to spread a little holiday joy and thank our riders for making Metra part of their lives all year.” (Metra Photograph Via Instagram)

Transit Briefs: MDOT MTA, Phoenix Valley Metro, Metrolink, Metra

The Maryland Department of Transportation Maryland Transit Administration (MDOT MTA) releases an updated regional transit plan. Also, a recent customer service survey highlights security progress across Valley Metro’s Phoenix, Ariz.-based system; and Southern California’s Metrolink and Chicagoland’s Metra commuter railroads are rolling out holiday trains.

The first light rail train is pulled along the Green Line Extension near the Southwest Station in Eden Prairie, Minn., to test the tracks the entire length of the line. (Caption and Photograph Courtesy of Metro Transit)

Transit Briefs: Metro Transit, Sound Transit, Metrolinx, Metrolink, SEPTA, STM

The METRO Green Line Extension in Minneapolis marks a milestone. Also, final testing is under way for Sound Transit’s Federal Way Link Extension in Seattle and is complete for Metrolinx’s Finch West LRT project in Ontario, Canada; Southern California’s Metrolink expands its “smart” crossing technology; Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) postpones bus purchases, a station accessibility project, and the Frazer Railroad Facility expansion; and STM (Société de transport de Montréal) pursues mediation to avoid metro and bus driver strikes.

FlatironDragados reports being selected for the preconstruction services phase of the Link Union Station project, what it called “a long-awaited modernization of the historic Los Angeles Union Station, Southern California’s busiest multimodal transit hub.” (Courtesy of FlatironDragados)

Transit Briefs: LACMTA, HART, MBTA, TriMet

The Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (LACMTA) selects FlatironDragados to build two key rail projects. Also, Segment 2 trial operations are under way for Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation’s (HART) Skyline project; installation of new Commuter Rail fare gates is starting at Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority’s (MBTA) South Station; and Tri-County Metropolitan Transportation District of Oregon’s (TriMet) Transit Police Division welcomes back the Portland Police Bureau.