Amtrak recently held a ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate the completion of accessibility upgrades worth $3.5 million at the Newbern-Dyersburg Station in west Tennessee. (Amtrak Photograph)

Transit Briefs: Amtrak, NYMTA, PANY/NJ, TriMet

Amtrak debuts station accessibility upgrades in west Tennessee and an updated Cafe Acela menu. Also, New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) marks progress on the reduction of subway fare evasion; Port Authority of New York and New Jersey’s (PANY/NJ) PATH tap-and-go fare payment system is now available systemwide; and Tri-County Metropolitan Transportation District of Oregon (TriMet) adopts a $1.84 billion budget for Fiscal Year (FY) 2025.

(STM photo)

Transit Briefs: SFMTA, PANYNJ/PATH, STM, Amtrak

The San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency (SFMTA) approves its Fiscal Year (FY) 2025 and FY 2026 operating and capital budgets. Also, the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey’s (PANYNJ) new tap-to-pay fare payment system is now available at all PATH stations in New Jersey; the Société de transport de Montréal (STM) releases its 2023 Annual Report; and Amtrak issues two Requests for Information (RFIs) to support high-speed Wi-Fi connectivity along the Northeast Corridor (NEC).

“Big news, @PATHTrain riders! The PATH Forward program launches with a $430M investment over 2 yrs to upgrade the system ensuring more reliable service, upgraded stations, and rehabilitated train cars,” PANY/NJ reported April 5 via social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter. (Photograph Courtesy of PANY/NJ via X)

PANY/NJ Launches $430MM ‘PATH Forward’ Program

The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey (PANY/NJ) on April 5 reported kicking off a two-year, $430 million program to upgrade stations, tracks, bridges and railcars at PATH (Port Authority Trans-Hudson Corp.), the fifth-busiest rapid transit system in the United States.

(Keolis)

Transit Briefs: Keolis, PANYNJ, Project Connect

Keolis Commuter Services (Keolis) expands its partnership with Samaritans to provide lifesaving trainings to Commuter Rail personnel. Also, the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey’s (PANYNJ) new PATH commuter rail tap-and-go payment system is now available at select turnstiles in all terminal stations; and a court challenge from Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton could end Austin’s Project Connect plans.

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.

WMATA photo

Transit Briefs: WMATA, PANYNJ/PATH, Baton Rouge-New Orleans Passenger Rail Service, San Diego MTS

The Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) upgrades its ridership data portal with more detailed information. Also, the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey’s (PANYNJ) PATH commuter rail system sees consistent growth in 2023; the proposed Baton Rouge to New Orleans passenger train agreement is pushed back; and the San Diego Metropolitan Transportation System (MTS) unveils a 2024 transit security initiative.

Transit Tech Lab Releases Results for Human Capital, Operational Efficiency Challenges

The New York MTA/Partnership for New York City Transit Tech Lab on Jan. 22 released the results of its 2023 human capital and operational efficiency challenges. The 13 winners, including Humatics, TekTracking and Wi-Tronix, each completed proof-of-concept collaborations with area transit agencies, which aim to use their LiDAR (light detection and ranging), AI (artificial intelligence), and IoT (Internet of Things) technologies “to mitigate service disruptions, automate operations, and combat workforce shortages,” Transit Tech Lab reported.

Metrolinx’s East Harbour Transit Hub in Toronto will be located on the Lakeshore East and Stouffville GO Transit rail lines. The station will provide connections to the Ontario Line subway and future Toronto Transit Commission services. (Rendering Courtesy of Metrolinx)

Transit Briefs: Metrolinx, Transit Tech Lab, WMATA

The Rail Connect Partners joint venture has entered into an alliance development agreement with Toronto’s Metrolinx for the East Harbour Transit Hub. Also, New York regional transportation agencies launch their sixth-annual tech competition; and Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) celebrates a transit-oriented development project at the North Bethesda Metro Station in Maryland.

In January, Amtrak will award 11 scholarships to help full-time undergraduate and graduate students interested in rail. (Amtrak Photograph)

Transit Briefs: Amtrak, PANY/NJ, Trillium Line, U.S. Government

Amtrak is seeking applicants for its scholarship program. Also, Port Authority of New York and New Jersey (PANY/NJ) approves its 2024 budget that advances a new PATH fare payment system and the development of a new AirTrain Newark system, and awards a design and construction contract for AirTrain Newark; the DMU Trillium Line’s hand-over to the city of Ottawa, Ontario, has been delayed again; and U.S. government workers on official business will soon have to prioritize taking public transit.

Rendering Courtesy of British Columbia, via Flickr.

Transit Briefs: TransLink, Calgary Transit, CDOT, PANYNJ, NYMTA

Eight new station names are announced for TransLink’s Surrey Langley SkyTrain extension. Also, a section of Calgary Transit’s LRT Red Line reopens following a nine-day closure; the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) explores the market for passenger train cars and locomotives; the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey (PANYNJ) installs five new test turnstiles for a new fare payment system; and the New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) announces the installation of wide-aisle fare gates and a new customer service center at Sutphin Boulevard-Archer Avenue-JFK Airport Station.

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