Amtrak is eying express bus service to connect Reading and Pottstown with Philadelphia, Pa., as a precursor to reestablishing passenger rail service. Also, earlier this month, MTA New York City Transit (NYCT) subway ridership surpassed the 3 million mark for three consecutive days, the first time since the Omicron variant was reported in the city on Dec. 17, 2021.
MTA Long Island Rail Road President Phillip Eng will retire and hand the throttle to Catherine Rinaldi on Feb. 26; Rinaldi will serve in an interim capacity while continuing as MTA Metro-North Railroad President, a role she’s held since 2018.
The New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) later this month will launch a four-month pilot fare program to encourage riders to use the city’s subways, buses and trains; it includes fare-capping.
Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART); consultancy HDR; New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA); transit system manager and operator RATP Dev USA and WSP USA have appointed new executives.
New York Gov. Kathy Hochul has directed the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) to move forward on a proposed Interborough Express service running from Bay Ridge, Brooklyn to Jackson Heights, Queens; a yearlong study confirms service feasibility.
New York MTA acting CEO and Board Chair Janno Lieber on Jan. 20 was confirmed by the state Senate to serve in those roles; also confirmed, Elizabeth Velez as an MTA Board member.
Luke Bridle has been named Director of Transportation for HOK, a global design, architecture, engineering and planning firm. In addition, Transit Wireless has elevated Anthony Mazzarella to Vice President of Analytics and Advertising.
Phase 2 of MTA New York City Transit’s Second Avenue Subway project is moving ahead, the agency reported on Jan. 6.
The year was 1964. Lyndon Johnson was campaigning for re-election as President, hoping his “Great Society” and “War on Poverty” programs would help the country, although the nation’s involvement in the Vietnam War was escalating and would later trigger his downfall. “Beatlemania” swept the country, as the “Fab Four” from Liverpool dominated the charts, with only the emerging Motown Sound from Detroit giving them any competition. The nation’s passenger train network was still gigantic compared to what we have on Amtrak today, but it was shrinking fast. Rail transit in the cities that still had it was shrinking, too. In New York, though, the second World’s Fair in 25 years was taking place in Flushing, Queens, and the “Brightliner” subway cars made their first appearance.
MTA New York City Transit’s Budd-built R-32s—dubbed the Brightliners for their gleaming stainless steel bodies—will retire after 58 years of service.
