Transit Briefs: Hitachi Rail/MTA, NYMTA, WMATA, Tri-Rail, REM

New Hitachi Rail metro cars enter revenue service for the Maryland Transit Administration’s (MTA) Baltimore Subway Link. Also, the New York Metropolitan Transportation Agency (MTA) celebrates a successful first anniversary of congestion pricing; the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) selects Atlantic Pacific Companies (A|P) for its Capital Heights project; Tri-Rail breaks its ridership record in 2025; and Otis completes a landmark installation at the Réseau Express Métropolitain (REM) light metro transit in Montréal.

(Courtesy of Wabtec)

Watch: NY MTA Exercises Option for More Wabtec R255s

Wabtec Corporation on Jan. 7 reported landing a $386 million follow-on order to supply 45 R255 locomotives to the New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) for maintenance-of-way operations. Deliveries of the hybrid battery-diesel units are scheduled to begin in 2027.

(Courtesy of MTA)

For NY MTA, ‘Record-Breaking’ 2025 Performance, Ridership

Nearly 1.9 billion trips were taken on New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority’s subway, bus, and paratransit services in 2025—up roughly 7% from 2024—and the subway, Long Island Rail Road, and Metro-North Railroad

“We’re thrilled to see record ridership on Metro-North,” MTA Metro-North President Justin Vonashek said. “From Super Express trains to delighting customers with our holiday lights trains, we’re always finding new ways to enhance the rider experience.” (MTA Photograph)

Transit Briefs: NYMTA, SMART, HART, CTA, Santa Clara VTA

Ridership records are set for New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority’s (MTA) commuter railroads and California’s Sonoma-Marin Area Regional Transit District (SMART). Also, the fiscal year 2025 audit for Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation (HART) receives a “favorable opinion from independent auditors”; and Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) and Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) advance transit-oriented development (TOD) projects.

Transit Briefs: SEPTA, STV, NYMTA, Amtrak/USRC

Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) system-wide ridership decreases 1% in November. Also, STV’s Quantico Station Improvement Project wins an American Council of Engineering Companies of Virginia (ACEC Virginia) Grand Award; Governor Kathy Hochul vetoes a bill that would require two-person crews on the New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority’s (MTA) subway trains; and Amtrak and Union Station Redevelopment Corporation (USRC) leaders approve an agreement to restore federal control of the facility.

Transit Briefs: NYMTA, SkyTrain, KC Streetcar

The New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) announces major congestion pricing-funded subway improvement projects moving forward. Also, Canada and TransLink invest in traction power upgrades across Metro Vancouver’s SkyTrain network; and KC Streetcar’s Riverfront Extension officially enters the testing phase.

Parsons has landed a five-year contract, with two potential one-year extensions, to support Sound Transit’s $60 billion capital program. (Courtesy of Sound Transit)

Transit Briefs: Sound Transit, WMATA, NYMTA

Parsons Corporation (Parsons) secures a position on Sound Transit of Seattle’s 2025 Multiple Award Task Order Contract (MATOC). Also, Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) is rolling out a holiday-themed vehicle fleet; and New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority’s (MTA) subway sets a post-pandemic ridership record, and its commuter railroads install new TVMs (ticket vending machines).

Transit Briefs: NYMTA, VIA Rail, Mass. Government

The New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) unveils a collaboration with the American Museum of Natural History (AMNH). Also, VIA Rail Canada (VIA Rail) unveils its 2026-2029 Accessibility Plan; and a new Massachusetts law shields transit workers from assaults.

Transit Briefs: NYMTA, PANYNJ, LA Metro, Ontario Government, SJJPA, Austin Light Rail

The New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) launches a new Capital Program Dashboard. Also, the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey’s (PANYNJ) PATH commuter rail records its second-busiest month since the pandemic; all five of LA Metro’s rail lines post gains in weekend ridership; the Ontario government extends the OneFare program to keep transit costs down for riders; the San Joaquin Joint Powers Authority (SJJPA) restores the seventh Gold Runner round trip; and Austin Light Rail receives a “medium-high” rating from the Federal Transit Administration (FTA).

MTA Chair and CEO Janno Lieber, MTA New York City Transit President Demetrius Crichlow, MTA Construction & Development President Jamie Torres-Springer, and other officials cut the ribbon on the new Railcar Acceptance and Testing Facility in Sunset Park on Nov. 21. (Marc A. Hermann / MTA)

Watch: NYMTA Launches Railcar Acceptance, Testing Facility

The New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) on Nov. 21 opened “on time and under budget” what it is calling a “first-of-its-kind” Railcar Acceptance and Testing Facility.

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