The California Transportation Commission (CTC) on June 27 approved a $100 million award to Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority for BART (Bay Area Rapid Transit) Silicon Valley Phase II. (VTA Photograph)

Transit Briefs: VTA, APTA, Valley Metro, VPRA

Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) lands $100 million in California state funding for the BART Silicon Valley Phase II project. Also, the American Public Transportation Association (APTA) presents its 2025 Rail Safety, Security and Emergency Management Awards; Arizona’s Valley Metro is introducing streetcar fares; and the Virginia Passenger Rail Authority (VPRA) marks its fifth anniversary.

(MTA Photograph)

MTA 2025–2029 Capital Plan Gets Greenlight (Updated 6/20)

Following passage of funding for the Metropolitan Transportation Authority’s 2025-2029 Capital Plan in the New York State budget, the MTA on May 28 reported that its Board has approved a proposed plan

Commentary

‘Train Daddy’ Returns to New York

Andy Byford is coming back to New York, where he has been tapped to oversee development in and around the city’s Penn Station. New Yorkers bestowed the moniker “Train Daddy” on Byford

(MTA Photograph)

NY Governor Signs FY26 State Budget Into Law

New York Gov. Kathy Hochul on May 9 signed new legislation as part of the Fiscal Year 2026 Enacted Budget to fully fund the Metropolitan Transportation Authority’s (MTA) $68.4 billion 2025-29 Capital

(Photograph Courtesy of MTA)

MTA: Ridership Up, Fare Evasion Down

New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) on April 28 presented a progress report to the MTA operating committees on fare collection across the subway and on buses and commuter railroads, and toll collection on bridges and tunnels.

Left to Right: Rich Schaefer of HNTB Corporation (HNTB Photograph), and Thomas J. Taffe of the New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority Police Department (Marc A. Hermann / MTA Photograph).

People News: Rail Vision, HNTB, NYMTA

Israel-based technology company Rail Vision Ltd. appoints David BenDavid as CEO. Also, New Jersey Transit (NJT) veteran Rich Schaefer is rejoining infrastructure firm HNTB Corporation as Program Manager; and Thomas J. Taffe is tabbed for Chief of the New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority Police Department (MTAPD).

Pictured, left to right: NYCT’s Bernard Jackson, William “Bill” Amarosa Jr., and Rachel Cohen; NCTD’s Lori A. Winfree; and HNTB’s Sandra M. Bucklew. (Photographs courtesy of the respective organizations, except for the photograph of Bernard Jackson, which is courtesy of DART.)

People News: NYCT, NCTD, HNTB, Michael Baker International

MTA New York City Transit (NYCT) appoints three senior operational leaders. Also, North County Transit District (NCTD) names a Deputy CEO; HNTB, a Southeast Division Construction Services Leader; and Michael Baker International, a Vice President, Health and Safety.

“After 32 years, it’s time to say goodbye to the MetroCard and go all in on the fare payment system of the future,” MTA Chair and CEO Janno Lieber said March 19. (MTA Photograph)

Transit Briefs: NYMTA, San Diego MTS/NCTD, Sound Transit, Coastal Link

New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) is sunsetting MetroCard sales and distribution after 32 years. Also, California’s San Diego Metropolitan Transit System (MTS) and North County Transit District (NCTD) introduce Express Mode tap-and-go fare payment; Seattle’s Sound Transit pilots “wig wag train” to boost light rail safety; planning advances for the Coastal Link commuter rail corridor’s first proposed segment connecting Miami-Dade with Broward and Palm Beach counties in Florida.

Rendering of the Siemens Mobility AP 220 high-speed trainset for Brightline West. (Courtesy of Siemens Mobility)

Transit Briefs: Brightline West, LACMTA, Calgary Transit, NYMTA

Brightline West’s private activity bond sale “exceeds expectations.” Also, Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (LACMTA) readies for expanded Foothill Gold Line light rail service; Calgary Transit is launching a two-car train service pilot; and New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) completes more than 50% of a system-wide subway-lighting upgrade project and reports on Reduced-Fare rider use of its new contactless tap-and-go fare payment method.

Commentary

22nd of a Series: Duffy Dumps CBDTP. Empire State Strikes Back

On the 46th day since the congestion toll for vehicles entering the portion of Manhattan south of 60th Street went into effect, U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy took the first step toward

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