North Carolina Department of Transportation

WMATA/Metro and KRC on Feb. 5 announced their “resolution of several ongoing contract disputes regarding, among other things, the 2021 Blue Line derailment of a 7000-series railcar which led to the entire 7000-series fleet being grounded.” (WMATA 7000-Series railcars, courtesy Wikipedia)

Transit Briefs: WMATA/KRC, NCDOT, PennDOT

Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA/Metro) and Kawasaki Rail Car, Inc. (KRC) resolve their 7000-Series railcars disputes. Also, a new North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) study confirms that restoring Salisbury-to-Asheville passenger rail service would benefit the economy, job opportunities, and public transit in the area and the state; and the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) advances the Scranton-to-New York Penn Station Passenger Rail Corridor project.

A SEPTA employee inspects a Silverliner IV Train. (Courtesy of SEPTA)

Transit Briefs: SEPTA, STM, LACMTA, NC By Train

Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) is restoring all morning express trips on Regional Rail as more Silverliner IVs return to service. Also, STM (Société de transport de Montréal) releases its 2026 budget and 2026-2035 Capital Investment Program; the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (LACMTA) Board will consider advancing the C Line Extension to Torrance and the Sepulveda Transit Corridor projects; and NC By Train in North Carolina breaks its ridership record for the fourth consecutive year.

NC By Train in October experienced its highest ridership month in 35 years of service. The state-supported Amtrak intercity passenger rail service carried 74,400 riders, nearly 10% more than in October 2024. (Courtesy of NCDOT)

Transit Briefs: NC by Train, WMATA/COG, MBTA, Rail Runner Express

NC By Train—North Carolina-supported Amtrak service—celebrates the highest ridership month in its 35-year history. Also, the boards of Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) and Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments (COG) endorse a plan to modernize Metro rail and bus service and strengthen regional transit coordination; Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) will soon debut Commuter Rail fare gates at Boston’s South Station; and security cameras will be installed on New Mexico’s Rail Runner Express trains.

Standard & Poor’s Global Ratings has upgraded the New York MTA’s Transportation Revenue Bonds rating from “A-” to “A” with a “stable” rating outlook. (NYMTA Photograph)

Transit Briefs: NYMTA, MDOT, NC By Train, MBTA

Standard & Poor’s Global Ratings upgrades New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority’s (MTA) credit rating. Also, Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT) awards $500,000 in Purple Line small business grants; NC (North Carolina) By Train ridership rises in first-half 2025; and Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) encourages riders to take advantage of extended service this fall by offering free fares after 9 p.m. on five Fridays and Saturdays.

(Courtesy of MDOT)
  • News

DOT Roundup: Michigan, North Carolina, Connecticut

The Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) and North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) are seeking public input on a draft 2026-2030 transportation program and on projects to include in the 2028-2037 transportation plan, respectively. Also, the Connecticut Department of Transportation (CTDOT) has released its second-annual Customer Experience Action Plan Progress Report.

SMART on May 31 officially launched passenger service to the new Windsor station. “This long-anticipated expansion marks a major milestone in SMART’s mission to provide sustainable, regional transportation for communities across Sonoma and Marin counties—and is the first of three northern extensions SMART plans to complete in the coming years,” SMART reported via social media. (Screen grab from SMART video)

Transit Briefs: SMART, NC By Train, San Diego MTS/NCTD

Northern California’s Sonoma-Marin Area Rail Transit (SMART) launches service to Windsor. Also, NC By Train celebrates 35 years of Carolinian and 30 years of Piedmont passenger rail service; and San Diego Metropolitan Transit System (MTS) and North County Transit–San Diego Railroad (NCTD) mark a contactless fare-payment milestone.

Transit Briefs: SEPTA, NCDOT, North Texas Commuter Rail, Santa Clara VTA

Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) average daily ridership in February 2025 increases from last year. Also, North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) considers a temporary station at Charlotte Gateway Station; three North Texas agencies could combine commuter rail operations; and the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) is denied a bid for a temporary restraining order to stop an ongoing strike.

Transit Briefs: Amtrak, MBTA, NYMTA

A new station in Hillsborough, N.C., is expected to expand Amtrak access. Also, the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) releases an Android version of its Go Mobile app; and the New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) completes a brand-new staircase and passageway to the Flushing Line platform and widened staircases at Grand Central Terminal.

Transit Briefs: NCDOT, CTDOT, LOSSAN Rail Corridor Agency

The North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) will administer a $13.2 million federal grant to the town of Wake Forest to construct a “mobility hub” on the S-Line passenger rail corridor. Also, the Connecticut Department of Transportation (CTDOT) receives $11.6 million to expand service along the CTrail Hartford Line; and the Los Angeles-San Diego-San Luis Obispo (LOSSAN) Rail Corridor Agency is awarded $27 million to increase Amtrak Pacific Surfliner train service.

The 11-mile initial operating segment of Honolulu’s planned 20-mile, 21-station autonomous (driverless) Skyline, an urban rail transit GoA4 (Grade of Automation) system, marked one year of revenue service on June 30, 2024. The second segment, with 5.2 miles of guideway and four stations, is expected to open by the end of 2025. (HART Map)

Transit Briefs: HART, NC By Train

The Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation (HART) will temporarily shut down Skyline to accommodate testing of the autonomous rail system’s second operating segment. Also, NC By Train—North Carolina-supported Amtrak service—achieved record ridership in 2024, the third year in a row.

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