MTA

“These new railcars are an inspiration to everyone at MARTA and to our customers who will get to experience a cleaner and safer ride—and hopefully one that shows them how transit can make their lives easier and their trip more enjoyable,” General Manager and CEO Collie Greenwood said Jan. 30 at the State of MARTA event. “The future of transit begins now at MARTA, and the State of MARTA is strong.” (Photograph Courtesy of MARTA)

Transit Briefs: MARTA, Sound Transit, NYMTA

Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA) unveils its first CQ400 train from Stadler. Also, Seattle’s Sound Transit announces the launch date for its Downtown Redmond Link (light rail) Extension; and New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) is driving down fare evasion.

PTC/ATC is now successfully active across the nearly 400 miles of all 12 Commuter Rail lines at MBTA. (MBTA Map)

Transit Briefs: MBTA, RTA Chicago, NYMTA

Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) completes Automatic Train Control (ATC) implementation on all north side Commuter Rail lines. Also, ridership across the Chicago region’s fixed-route transit system hits post-pandemic high in 2024; and New York MTA’s Grand Central Madison wins an ASCE engineering achievement award.

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.

the Canadian government late last year “requested an extension on bids” to construct a dedicated HFR corridor between Toronto and Quebec, according to The Canadian Press.

Transit Briefs: HFR Corridor, SacRT, Brightline, LIRR, TTL

Will the High Frequency Rail (HFR) in Canada be delayed? Also, Sacramento Regional Transit District (SacRT) receives the final funding needed to construct the Dos Rios Station; Brightline, Florida’s private-sector passenger railroad, will boost capacity between Miami and West Palm Beach; MTA Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) reports the strongest year in its nearly 200-year history; and applications are now being accepted for Transit Tech Lab’s challenges with the New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA), Port Authority of New York and New Jersey (PANY/NJ), New Jersey Transit (NJT), and New York City Department of Transportation (DOT).

Grand Central Madison (pictured) was selected for the World’s Most Beautiful Passenger Stations 2024 List, along with Schafbergbahn Station in St. Wolfgang, Austria; Bell Station in Melbourne, Australia; Beijing Station in Beijing, China Toulouse; Matabiau Station in Toulouse, France; and Chiaia Metro Station in Naples, Italy. (Marc A. Hermann / MTA)

Transit Briefs: UNESCO Award; Canadian Transit Hub, TOD Projects

UNESCO recognizes New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority’s (MTA) Grand Central Madison with a “World’s Most Beautiful Passenger Station” interior award. Also, the Kitchener Central Transit Hub and Toronto’s 50 Wilson Heights TOD (transit-oriented development) advance in Ontario, Canada.

New York MTA Chair and CEO Janno Lieber, MTA Construction and Development President Jamie Torres-Springer, and Queens Borough President Donovan Richards on Oct. 29 announced an RFP for the design phase of the proposed Interborough Express (IBX) near the future site of the Jackson Heights terminal at 71st St. (Marc A. Hermann / MTA)

Transit Briefs: NYMTA, Metra, CapMetro

The New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) releases an RFP (Request for Proposals) to begin the preliminary engineering phase of the $5.5 billion Interborough Express (IBX) project. Also, Metra reopens the 147th Street/Sibley Boulevard Station in Harvey, Ill., after a two-plus year rebuild; and Capital Metropolitan Transportation Authority (CapMetro) plans a double-tracking project in East Austin, Tex.

Under the proposed MTA 2025-2029 Capital Plan, New York City Transit will add 1,500 new subway cars to its fleet. (MTA Photograph)

NY MTA Eyes $68.4B Capital Plan for 2025-29 (UPDATED 9/26)

The New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) on Sept. 18 released its proposed 2025-2029 Capital Plan that would invest $68.4 billion in rebuilding, improving, and expanding its system of subways, buses, commuter railroads, bridges, and tunnels. It would put the agency “on a path to state of good repair,” with investments in railcars, power, and signals; improve the customer experience, with investments in accessibility, stations, and modern fare gates; and take action on climate change, including resilience and sustainability initiatives, MTA said. While covering the cost of the plan is still in question, the MTA Board approved it on Sept. 25.

Following the one-year anniversary of its expansion to Orlando, Brightline is now looking to Tampa. (David C. Lester Photograph)

Transit Briefs: Brightline, CapMetro, NYMTA

Brightline, Florida’s private-sector passenger railroad, eyes an extension to Tampa. Also, the Board of Capital Metropolitan Transportation Authority (CapMetro) in Austin, Tex., approves next year’s budget; and New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) launches a data challenge.

FLX Solutions worked with 28 MTA and NJT employees to determine the best maintenance tasks for its FLX BOT, which is described as a “handheld robot that enables maintenance and inspection in hard-to-reach locations.” (Photograph Courtesy of Transit Tech Lab)

Transit Tech Lab Releases Latest Challenge Results

The Transit Tech Lab, a joint initiative of the New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) and the Partnership Fund for New York City, has released the proof-of-concept results for its three latest challenges.

Breanne Oliver, CN (left) and Mark Bienstock, STV. (Photographs courtesy of the respective companies.)
  • News

People News: CN, TTC, STV

CN names Breanne Oliver AVP, Communications and Public Affairs. Also, Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) appoints Gregory W. Percy as interim CEO; and New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) veteran Mark Bienstock joins STV’s Transportation Northeast Operating Group.