Transit Briefs: LACMTA; NYMTA; SFRTA; STM; Metra

Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (LACMTA) has installed earthquake early warning systems at 26 rail and bus division facilities. In addition, New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) is forming a subsidiary to oversee the new East Side Access project terminal; South Florida Regional Transportation Authority’s (SFRTA) Tri-Rail is resuming full service; Thales has delivered interlocking systems for three Société de Transport de Montréal (STM) rapid transit stations; and Wabtec will provide doors, brakes, HVAC systems and event recorders for Metra’s new multilevels.

Hochul Walks LaGuardia AirTrain Tightrope (UPDATED)

After only six weeks in office, New York state’s new chief executive, Gov. Kathy Hochul, is experiencing a test of her skills to walk the political tightrope; an essential task for any politician, especially in this part of the country.

FAA Greenlights LaGuardia AirTrain Project

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has approved the approximately $2 billion LaGuardia Airport (N.Y.) AirTrain project, following environmental review.

ESA On Track for ’22 Opening

Civil construction of MTA Long Island Rail Road’s East Side Access (ESA) project has wrapped up, with third rail to be electrified and test trains to run this summer before LIRR service to Grand Central Terminal begins in December 2022.

RAIL GROUP ON AIR: 2021 RT&S Top Projects, Part 1

RT&S Editor-in-Chief Bill Wilson talks with those behind one of the projects on the 2021 RT&S Top Projects list.

Metro-North PSNY Access Planning Resumes (Updated)

The Metro-North Penn Station (New York) Access Project is moving forward following a pause due to the pandemic and to funding uncertainty at the New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority.

Metra Eyes ‘Green’ Power

The move to zero-emission locomotives is picking up electrons—not steam—with Metra’s announcement that it will issue a Request for Proposals (RFP) challenging manufacturers to convert three of its older F40PH-3 diesels to battery power.

For LIRR, a Potential First: Battery/Third-Rail ‘BEMU’

If all goes as planned, in about one year, MTA Long Island Rail Road will be testing a prototype “BEMU” (battery-electric multiple unit) that operates on third-rail power or batteries on the 13-mile, non-electrified Oyster Bay Branch. The program, a venture with Alstom, will be North America’s first test-of-concept of this application on commuter railcars.

LIRR Updates Rider Information Systems

MTA Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) is introducing changes to its TrainTime® app as well as platform signs and audio announcements to provide real-time seat availability information an improve rider accessibility.

Rail Group On Air: Squeezing A Third Track in the Existing Right-of-Way

In this episode of Rail Group On Air, RT&S Editor-in-Chief Bill Wilson talks with the leaders behind the MTA Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) Mainline Expansion Project.

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