“Today, NCTD kicked off the COASTER 30th Anniversary celebration with the launch of new passenger cars!” the agency reported Feb. 21 on Facebook. “NCTD CEO Shawn M Donaghy, Board Chair Dr. Priya Bhat-Patel, Representative Mike Levin, and other regional leaders hosted a press conference to talk about the many benefits of the COASTER. NCTD is thankful for the employees and riders who have supported us along the way! And stay tuned – a new PRONTO COASTER card will be released soon at all TVMs and Customer Service locations!” (NCTD Photograph)

COASTER Marks 30 Years of Service

California’s North County Transportation District (NCTD) on Feb. 21 kicked off a 30th anniversary celebration for COASTER, the 41-mile, eight-station regional/commuter rail service the runs from Oceanside to downtown San Diego (see

Adrienne Johnson, Human Resources Director, North County Transit District (NCTD Photograph)

For NCTD, New HR Director

Adrienne Johnson on Jan. 6 signed on as Human Resources (HR) Director for California’s North County Transit District (NCTD), which operates Coaster commuter rail, Sprinter hybrid rail, Breeze bus, Flex on-demand, and

CalSTA: $1.3B for 27 Rail and Transit Projects

The California State Transportation Agency (CalSTA) recently announced that $1.3 billion from the Transit and Intercity Capital Rail Program (TIRCP) funded by the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund (cap-and-trade) will go to 27 projects following a statewide competitive grant application process for Cycle 7, according to a Streetsblog California report.

Washington Metropolitan Safety Commission has issued an audit of WMATA’s Metrorail Roadway Worker Protection Program that includes 13 finding the transit agency must address. (WMSC Photograph).

Transit Briefs: WMATA, RTA of Middle Tennessee, CTA, Denver RTD, NCTD, OC Transpo

Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) will respond to 13 findings following a safety audit of its Metrorail Roadway Worker Protection Program. Also, improvements are proposed for Regional Transportation Authority of Middle Tennessee’s (RTA) WeGo Star commuter rail service; Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) updates its All Stations Accessibility Program, which has doubled in cost; Denver, Colo., Regional Transit District (RTD) makes permanent its Zero Fare for Youth program; Train and Engine Service employees for North County Transit District’s (NCTD) COASTER commuter rail in California will unionize; and Michael Morgan is stepping down from his top rail construction post at OC Transpo, Ottawa, Ontario’s public transportation agency.

(Image Courtesy of BLET)

Transit Briefs: SEPTA/BLET, SacRT, San Diego MTS/NCTD

Members of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET) ratify a new three-year contract with Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA). Also, Sacramento (Calif.) Regional Transit District (SacRT) marks the start of construction on the Watt/I-80 Transit Center Improvement Project; and California’s San Diego Metropolitan Transit System (MTS) and North County Transit District (NCTD) introduce contactless fare payment.

Pictured (left to right): Alberto Lara, Metrolink; Misty Calder, NCTD; Nicholas Cumins, Bentley Systems; and Eloy Martinez, HNTB. (All Photographs Courtesy of the Respective Companies)

People News: Metrolink, NCTD, Bentley Systems, HNTB

Southern California’s Metrolink welcomes a new Chief People Officer. Also, North County Transit District (NCTD) in California appoints a Deputy General Counsel; Bentley Systems, an infrastructure engineering software company based in Exton, Pa., transitions its leadership; and infrastructure firm HNTB hires a Vehicles Project Director.

Rogers Appointed NCTD Director of Rail Operations

The North County Transit District (NCTD) recently announced that it has appointed Maria Rogers to serve as the agency’s Director of Rail Operations, effective June 3, 2024.

The TTC and ATU Local 113 have reached a tentative agreement that avoids a strike. Pictured during the June 7 announcement: TTC Chair Jamaal Myers (right) and TTC CEO Rick Leary. (TTC Photograph)

Transit Briefs: TTC, Metrolink, NCTD, SEPTA

The Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) and Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU) Local 113 avert a strike. Also, Southern California’s Metrolink approves a contract extension for CEO Darren Kettle; North County Transit District (NCTD) is launching first-mile/last-mile service for COASTER commuter rail riders; and Elavon will enable contactless fare payments for Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) riders.

People News: Savage, STV, NCTD, RATP Dev USA

Savage announces CEO retirement and successor appointment. Also, STV promotes Marilisa Stigliano to lead financial planning and analysis; North County Transit District (NCTD) hires Joy Freeman as Chief People Officer; and RATP Dev USA announces key leadership changes.

Transit Briefs: WMATA, MBTA, NCTD, RTA

The Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) applauds state funding to redevelop the Capitol Heights Metro Station. Also, the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) advances nearly 1,000 units of housing; the North County Transit District (NCTD) authorizes negotiations with developers for two oceanside transit-oriented development (TOD) projects; and Chicago’s Regional Transportation Authority (RTA) selects eight station activation projects for a pilot program to improve public safety near transit and develops the Chicago region’s first Mobility Hub Network Framework.

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