The California Transportation Commission (CTC) has allocated more than $1.4 billion for state projects to improve transportation infrastructure. Of that total, $67.78 million is for 11 rail-related efforts.
The Southern California Regional Rail Authority’s (SCRRA) Board of Directors has appointed Darren Kettle CEO of Metrolink, the 538-route mile, seven-line, 62-station regional/commuter rail network that spans Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, Ventura and North San Diego counties.
The Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) is receiving $13.96 million for emergency preparedness as part of a U.S. Department Homeland Security (DHS) grant to the state of Illinois. Also, the Orange County (Calif.) Transportation Authority (OCTA) will begin work this month on a $29.86 million Metrolink station improvement project at Anaheim Canyon.
The California High-Speed Rail Authority (CHSRA) and the city of Palmdale have entered into an agreement to supply matching funds for a $1.35 million RAISE grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation that, if awarded, would support completion of the city’s Station Implementation Master Plan.
Chicago’s Metra is offering an onboard rider satisfaction survey; Southern California Regional Rail Authority (Metrolink) has launched a Small Business Partnership Program (SBPP); Phoenix’s Valley Metro has introduced a real-time light rail and bus tracking and trip planning app; Sound Transit has debuted a Northgate Link website ahead of the 4.3-mile light rail extension’s Oct. 2 opening; and Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) has opened a new Fare Inspector and Special Constable Complaints (FISCC) Office.
The long-simmering controversy over high-speed rail (HSR) continued during a May 6 hearing before the House Subcommittee on Railroads, Pipelines and Hazardous Materials. Its theme: “When Unlimited Potential Meets Limited Resources: The Benefits and Challenges of High-Speed Rail and Emerging Rail Technologies.”
Stephanie Wiggins is slated to return to Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro) in May as its first woman, and first African-American woman, chief executive.
The New England Railroad Club (NERRC) Executive Committee is honoring Patricia Quinn, Executive Director of the Northern New England Passenger Rail Authority (NNEPRA), for her commitment to passenger rail service; Reading & Northern’s (RBMN) Rian Nemeroff, Susan Ludwig and Jim Cerulli are taking on new marketing and sales responsibilities; and Ilyssa DeCasperis and Bradley DeVault are joining Southern California Regional Rail Authority (Metrolink) and MUL Railcars, Inc., respectively.
The California Transportation Commission (CTC) will distribute $392.4 million to 10 freight and passenger rail projects as part of its recent approval of $2 billion for 56 state projects that will reduce traffic, improve goods movement and increase transit service, among other measures.
The Southern California Regional Rail Authority (Metrolink) has renewed its contract with Amtrak for regional/commuter rail operations services, beginning Jan. 1, 2021 and expiring June 30, 2025. Amtrak will also provide and manage engineers and conductors.
