Rail infrastructure upgrades are nearing completion for the revival of Northlander service in Ontario, Canada. Also, Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) and Metra post ridership gains in 2025; San Francisco Bay Area Transportation District (BART) launches free Wi-Fi at five stations in time for the Super Bowl; and Alstom completes base-order delivery of automated people-mover vehicles to Denver International Airport (DEN).
Société de transport de Montréal (STM) in Canada seeks an end to the Metro and bus strikes. Also, Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) will offer 24-hour rapid transit service to Midway Airport; Charlotte Area Transit System (CATS) in North Carolina is providing mobile transit passes to community members with SNAP and WIC benefits; and the government of Canada’s Budget 2025 proposes a renewal of the Canada Strong Pass for the holiday season.
Metra earlier this month unveiled a $1.1 billion budget for 2026 that it said includes “an RTA-mandated fare increase and other measures to cover a projected $68 million shortfall, but no service cuts will be needed” for its 11-line commuter rail system in the Chicagoland area. Also proposed: a $575.3 million capital plan that invests in bridges, stations, and new and rehabilitated rolling stock.
Illinois lawmakers on May 28 unveiled a bill that proposes to replace the Regional Transportation Authority (RTA), which oversees the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA), Metra commuter rail, and Pace suburban buses, with a new organization called the Northern Illinois Transit Authority, according to multiple news reports.
Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) completes Automatic Train Control (ATC) implementation on all north side Commuter Rail lines. Also, ridership across the Chicago region’s fixed-route transit system hits post-pandemic high in 2024; and New York MTA’s Grand Central Madison wins an ASCE engineering achievement award.
The New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) releases an RFP (Request for Proposals) to begin the preliminary engineering phase of the $5.5 billion Interborough Express (IBX) project. Also, Metra reopens the 147th Street/Sibley Boulevard Station in Harvey, Ill., after a two-plus year rebuild; and Capital Metropolitan Transportation Authority (CapMetro) plans a double-tracking project in East Austin, Tex.
Two Illinois state legislators propose merging the Regional Transit Authority (RTA), Chicago Transit Authority (CTA), Metra commuter rail and Pace suburban bus in Chicago. Also, VIA Rail Canada Inc. (VIA Rail) adds service between Ottawa and Toronto; and Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) improves faregate display-screen messaging.
Brightline and Florida East Coast Railway launch St. Lucie River Railroad Bridge app. Also, municipalities face penalties for not following Massachusetts zoning laws intended to promote housing development near MBTA (Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority) stations; St. Louis, Mo., Metro Transit is seeking quotes for security gate and fence installation at light rail stations; New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority’s (MTA) latest fare increases are now in effect; and Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning (CMAP) is developing recommendations that could reshape transit in the region.
San Francisco Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) shares how it uses earthquake early warning technology. Also, work progresses on Brightline’s Boca Raton, Fla., station, the fourth in the state for the private-sector passenger railroad; elementary and high school students in the Chicago area can ride Metra commuter rail and Pace buses for free on Aug. 22; and Metro Transit in St. Louis, Mo., is reporting that it will be “several months” before light rail service is fully restored due to flash flooding damage last month.
Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority (GCRTA) has joined the American Public Transportation Association’s (APTA) Racial Equity Commitment Pilot Program. Also, Chicago Transit Authority (CTA), Metra and Pace Suburban Bus have approved a new Regional Connect Pass for area riders; Réseau express métropolitain (REM) has revised its network commissioning schedule due to continued challenges with work on the century-old Mount Royal Tunnel in Montreal; and STM’s (Société de transport de Montréal) C$492.3 million Côte-Vertu underground train storage facility has officially opened.
