Metropolitan Transportation Authority

On March 16, PEB 254, the second POTUS 47-appointed board assigned to the long-running contract dispute between a coalition of five unions and LIRR, “like an earlier appointed board of experts, recommended raises and retroactive pay for rail workers,” reported the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen, which is part of the coalition. (LIRR Photograph)

Labor Updates: LIRR, TTC

The second Presidential Advisory Board (PEB) to help settle a years-long contract dispute at MTA Long Island Rail Road in New York issues recommendations. Also, the Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) formally files for conciliation with Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) Local 2, a bargaining unit representing some 700 electrical, signal and cable technicians.

Pictured from left to right: Mariia Zimmerman, Virginia DRPT; Dianne Barnett, NS; Mike Brennan, Trinity Metro; Brady Jacoba, Ports of Indiana; and Peter Zuk, HNTB. (Photographs courtesy of the respective organizations)
  • News

People News: Virginia DRPT, LRW/NS, NYMTA, Trinity Metro, Ports of Indiana, HNTB

Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation (DRPT) appoints Mariia Zimmerman as Director. Also, the League of Railway Women (LRW) recognizes Norfolk Southern’s (NS) Dianne Barnett as 2025 Railway Woman of the Year; and New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA), Ports of Indiana, Trinity Metro in Texas, and HNTB Corporation hire executive leaders.

Parsons has landed a five-year contract, with two potential one-year extensions, to support Sound Transit’s $60 billion capital program. (Courtesy of Sound Transit)

Transit Briefs: Sound Transit, WMATA, NYMTA

Parsons Corporation (Parsons) secures a position on Sound Transit of Seattle’s 2025 Multiple Award Task Order Contract (MATOC). Also, Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) is rolling out a holiday-themed vehicle fleet; and New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority’s (MTA) subway sets a post-pandemic ridership record, and its commuter railroads install new TVMs (ticket vending machines).

MTA’s July Financial Plan forecasts approximately $50 million less in deficits for Fiscal Year 2027 and 2028, totaling $98 million. This is in addition to the $100 million announced in November, totaling $198 million less in deficits than this time last year, according to MTA. The projected deficit for Fiscal Year 2029 is $428 million. These funding shortfalls, MTA said, are in large part due trip growth in Paratransit. (Courtesy of MTA)

Transit Briefs: NYMTA, Denver RTD

The New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) releases its July Financial Plan, showing balanced operating budgets for 2025 and 2026 and narrowed deficits in 2027 and 2028, and announces a TOD (transit-oriented development) project near Metro-North’s Beacon, N.Y., station. Also, Denver (Colo.) Regional Transportation District (RTD) authorizes a successor contract for two-thirds of its workforce.

NJT rolled out specially wrapped vehicles, including a locomotive (pictured), for Autism Acceptance Month. (NJT Photograph)

Transit Briefs: NJT, NYMTA, San Diego MTS

New Jersey Transit (NJT) unveils a specially wrapped locomotive in recognition of Autism Acceptance Month, and will install new faregates at Secaucus Junction and Newark Liberty International Airport stations. Also, the New York MTA (Metropolitan Transportation Authority) issues a “reimagined” subway map; and San Diego Metropolitan Transit System (MTS) is installing new digital signs at the Trolley’s Orange Line stations.

MTA on Jan. 14 released data on traffic volumes, travel times, and transit ridership from the congestion relief program’s first week. The program took effect Sunday, Jan. 5, 2025. (MTA Photograph)

Transit Briefs: New York/MTA, Massachusetts/MBTA, Rio Metro, DART, UTA, VTA

New York Gov. Kathy Hochul announces MTA New York City subway safety initiatives. Also, MTA releases preliminary traffic and transit data from the congestion relief program’s first work week; Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey plans an $8 billion investment to improve regional transit, roads, and bridges and to stabilize MBTA finances; New Mexico’s Rio Metro Regional Transit District (Rio Metro) lands a federal grant for a new commuter rail Operations and Maintenance Facility; progress on Dallas Area Rapid Transit’s (DART) Silver Line continues with passenger service targeted for late 2025 or early 2026; Utah Transit Authority’s (UTA) ridership recovery reaches near pre-pandemic levels; and Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) and 17 other transit agencies sign the Equity In Infrastructure Project Pledge.

BART’s overall customer satisfaction rating in the most recent Passenger Experience Survey (PES) reached 81%, which is 7% higher than the previous quarter, according to the transit agency. (BART Photograph)

Transit Briefs: BART, Metro-North, VIA Rail, WMATA

San Francisco Bay Area Rapid Transit District (BART) reports rider satisfaction gains. Also, MTA Metro-North Railroad completes its third station-accessibility project in 2024; VIA Rail Canada calls on Ottawa to replace its long-distance fleet; and Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) increases police patrols on trains and buses.