North Central Texas Council of Governments

SEPTA on April 1 reported that Exo in Quebec has formally approved its $8.58 million bid for 24 coach cars (pictured). (Courtesy of SEPTA)

Transit Briefs: SEPTA, Amtrak

Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) purchases coach cars from Exo in Quebec, Canada, to bolster its Regional Rail fleet. Also, Amtrak’s Heartland Flyer grows in popularity as a travel option to Oklahoma City, but more money is needed to keep it running even after receiving a “lifeline” last summer.

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: North Central Texas Council of Governments, NJ Transit, Caltrain, TriMet, Metra

North Texas officials increase a proposed high-speed rail study budget by $1.6 million. Also, NJ Transit agrees to become the “Agency of Record” for the two-decade old effort to build a light rail line from Glassboro to Camden; Caltrain launches a new online store; TriMet’s recruitment efforts drive a record-setting flood of MAX operator applicants; and Metra becomes the Chicago Sky’s “Official Transit Provider.”

TriMet photo

Transit Briefs: TriMet, NCTCOG, PANYNJ, Oregon Senate, TransLink, GCRTA

TriMet expands Hop Fastpass® benefits to contactless bank cards and announces that construction of it’s A Better Red MAX Extension and Reliability and Improvements Project is nearing the end. Also, the North Central Texas Council of Governments (NCTCOG) hires McKinsey & Company and InfraStrategies LLC to lead the strategic assessment of transit in Dallas-Fort Worth; the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey (PANYNJ) opens a new $47.2 million accessible station house at the PATH Harrison Station; the Oregon Senate passes a bill criminalizing the use of illicit drugs on public transportation; TransLink tests a new multi-modal smartphone app; and the Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority (GCRTA) is awarded $9.5 million for transit projects.

Mueller was sworn in June 29 as the sixth MTA Chief of Police
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People News: NYMTA, OneRail Coalition, STV, HDR

The New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) has appointed a new MTA Chief of Police. Also, OneRail Coalition announced winners of Canby Awards, STV welcomed new key leaders throughout Texas, and HDR

  • News

USDOT Awards $1 Billion for 70 Infrastructure Projects

The U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) will distribute $1 billion among 70 surface transportation infrastructure projects in 44 states through its Better Utilizing Investments to Leverage Development (BUILD) Transportation Discretionary Grants program. The Fiscal Year 2020 program is for planning and capital investments.