MTA Metro-North

New York Gov. Kathy Hochul (right), MTA Metro-North Railroad President Justin Vonashek (center), and Mayor of Beacon Lee Kyriacou (far left) at the Biltmore Room of Grand Central Terminal on Sept. 23, announcing enhanced railroad service including the MNR Super Express to Poughkeepsie. (Marc A. Hermann / MTA)

Transit Briefs: Metra, MTA Metro-North, PANY/NJ

The 87th St./Woodruff Station on the Metra Electric commuter rail line in Chicago opens next month after a two-year rehab. Also, MTA Metro-North Railroad is launching “super-express” trains on Oct. 6; and the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey (PANY/NJ) marks the 10th anniversary of its climate resilience design guidelines.

MTA Metro-North Railroad will run its first-ever Holiday Lights Train on all three commuter rail lines from Nov. 29 through New Year’s. (Photo: MTA / Emily Moser)

Transit Briefs: Caltrans, NJ Transit, Metro-North, UTA, MDOT MTA

The California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) receives a federal grant to improve passenger rail service and freight movement in the San Joaquin Valley. Also, New Jersey Transit (NJ Transit) earns a spot on the Forbes 2025 America’s Dream Employers list; MTA Metro-North Railroad debuts its Holiday Lights Train; Utah Transit Authority (UTA) celebrates 25 years of TRAX light rail service; and Maryland Department of Transportation Maryland Transit Administration (MDOT MTA) launches an online merchandise store.

Transit Briefs: BART, PANYNJ, Metro-North

Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) releases its annual Sustainability Report. Also, the majority of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey’s (PANYNJ) PATH riders are now using the commuter rail’s new tap-and-go fare payment system; and the New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority’s (MTA) Metro-North Railroad unveils its fifth heritage locomotive.

NYMTA photo

Transit Briefs: NYMTA/Metro-North, MTC/VTA, Detroit People Mover, LA Metro, TriMet, MTS

Construction work begins on Metro-North’s Park Avenue Viaduct Replacement Project. Also, the Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC) completes regional funding for the Valley Transportation Authority’s (VTA) Silicon Valley Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) Extension; the Detroit People Mover honors breast cancer survivors; LA Metro releases its 2023 Customer Experience Plan; TriMet begins construction at the Hollywood Transit Center; and the San Diego Metropolitan Transit System (MTS) approves a new transit-oriented housing development in La Mesa.

Transit Briefs: SMART, NCTD, CTDOT

Sonoma-Marin Area Rail Transit (SMART) awards a $32.5 million contract for a second Petaluma train station. Also, North County Transit District (NCTD) authorizes an exclusive negotiating agreement for the Escondido Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) project; and the Connecticut Department of Transportation (CTDOT) finalizes Service and Fare Equity (SAFE) analysis.

At Metro-North, six new SC-42DM dual-mode (diesel-electric/third-rail) Charger locomotives will replace GE P32AC-DMs, which have either reached or exceeded their projected 25-year lifespan. (Siemens Mobility Photograph)

More Siemens SC-42DMs for Metro-North

Siemens Mobility on Sept. 26 reported that it will supply six additional SC-42DM dual-mode (diesel-electric/third-rail) Charger locomotives to MTA Metro-North Railroad, building on an initial 27-unit order placed in 2020 for the