MTA Chair and CEO Janno Lieber and NYCT President Richard Davey on March 10 participated in the inaugural ride of the R211 subway cars on the A line. (Marc A. Hermann / MTA)

First Look: R211s Roll Into New York Subway Service

The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) is phasing in new standard closed-end R211s from Kawasaki along New York City Transit’s (NYCT) A Line.

“We’re proud to support construction technology that helps communities build transit projects more quickly,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg.

FTA: $4.45B for Major Transit Projects

The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) on March 9 announced that 18 large transit projects in 11 states across the U.S. were recommended to receive $4.45 billion for construction by U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg.

Calgary Transit is seeing a promising start to 2023, after predicting in 2022 that ridership wouldn’t return to pre-pandemic levels before the end of this year. (Jeff White photo, Calgary Transit)

Transit Briefs: Brightline, Calgary Transit, East-West Rail, NYMTA, Valley Metro

Brightline releases a revamped New River Bridge app and website, which will be expanded this year to include two other South Florida bridges along the private-sector passenger railroad’s line. Also, Calgary (Alberta)

NYMTA Awards Crosstown Partners CBTC Contract

The New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) on March 6 awarded a new contract to Crosstown Partners, a consortium of Thales and TC Electric (TCE), for the supply of SelTrac™ communications-based train control (CBTC) technology and to maintain the Crosstown Line system for 25 years. TCE as the construction contractor will upgrade the stations, wayside and track.

As MARTA’s streetcar vehicle wheels are being replaced due to degradation, shuttle vans wrapped to look like streetcars are servicing the Atlanta, Ga., route. (MARTA Photographs)

Transit Briefs: MARTA, NYMTA, WMATA

Streetcar service is returning to downtown Atlanta, Ga., reports Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA). Also, New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) will upgrade accessibility at 17 subway stations across all five boroughs; and Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) is eyeing design changes for its new 8000-series rapid transit cars.

Brightline West has inked a commitment with the High-Speed Rail Labor Coalition, which comprises 13 rail unions representing more than 160,000 freight, regional, commuter and passenger railroad workers in the United States. (Photograph Courtesy of Brightline West)

Transit Briefs: Brightline West, Metrolinx, NYMTA

Brightline West supports using union labor for its planned 218-mile high-speed rail system connecting Las Vegas and Southern California. Also, Metrolinx provides updates the Finch West LRT’s Humber College Station and Toronto Union Station projects in Canada; and the New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) will test “wide-aisle” fare gates.

Massachusetts State Rep. William Straus (10th Bristol) has filed two bills that, if approved, would leave MBTA charged with subway and bus services only.

Transit Briefs: MBTA; Miami-Dade, Fla.; NYMTA

A Massachusetts lawmaker eyes structural changes at Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA). Also, the Citizens’ Independent Transportation Trust (CITT) in Miami-Dade, Fla., launches an ambassador program; and MTA New York City Transit (NYCT) unveils its first dedicated customer service centers.

At 1:19 p.m. on Feb. 2, Grand Central Terminal’s 110th anniversary train—a local Metro-North Railroad train from Stamford, Conn., to Grand Central—arrived on Track 27. MTA officials greeted passengers and distributed commemorative stickers. (Marc A. Hermann / MTA)

Happy 110th, Grand Central Terminal!

New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) officials on Feb. 2 celebrated the 110th anniversary of Grand Central Terminal, just days after it became the expanded house of the two busiest commuter railroads in the country, Metro-North Railroad and Long Island Rail Road (LIRR).

NYCT Unveils R211

MTA New York City Transit (NYCT) on Feb. 3 showcased one of the two R211 open gangway subway cars that are currently undergoing testing at the Coney Island Yard in Brooklyn.

Legislation has been filed in Massachusetts that would require MBTA and its commuter rail contractor to operate a fully electric system in the commonwealth by Dec. 31, 2035.

Transit Briefs: MBTA, MTC, NCTD, NYCT

Massachusetts legislator eyes electrification for MBTA commuter rail service. Also, the Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC) of San Francisco, Calif., hosts roundtable on Asian transit rider safety; California’s North County Transit District (NCTD) Board signs agreements for transit-oriented development projects in Carlsbad; and a flood mitigation and storm resiliency project at MTA New York City Transit’s (NYCT) 155th Street/Frederick Douglass Boulevard station receives award.

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