$5.15 billion in “bridge funding” has been proposed in the California Senate for public transit agencies over the next five years. (InvadingInvader Wikimedia Commons)

Transit Briefs: CA Public Transit, MARTA, MBTA, Metrolinx, Miami-Dade County, San Diego MTS

California transit officials and their state legislative supporters are seeking $5.15 billion to maintain services over the next five years. Also, the Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA) celebrates College Park rail station improvements; a new study finds that flooding costs to Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) could more than double by 2030, to $58 million per year; Metrolinx unveils a new website for the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area’s GO Transit; Florida’s Miami-Dade County revives commuter rail plan; and the San Diego Metropolitan Transit System (MTS) approves a $174 million capital improvement program.

Pictured left to right: Jason Jewell, Managing Director, Los Angeles-San Diego-San Luis Obispo (LOSSAN) Rail Corridor Agency; Brian Riley, Chief Operating Officer of Rail, San Diego Metropolitan Transit System (MTS); and Jacqueline Peduzzi, Vice President and Business Unit Leader, STV.

People News: LOSSAN, San Diego MTS, STV, ASLRRA, WSP USA

Los Angeles-San Diego-San Luis Obispo (LOSSAN) Rail Corridor Agency appoints Jason Jewell as Managing Director. Also, San Diego Metropolitan Transit System (MTS) promotes Brian Riley to Chief Operating Officer of Rail; and engineering firm STV names Jacqueline Peduzzi Vice President and Business Unit Leader. Paul Howard “Howard” Croft Jr., former President of the American Short Line Railroad Association (now ASLRRA), has died. James “Jim” L. Lammie, former President, CEO and Non-Executive Chairman of Parsons Brinckerhoff (now WSP), died Nov. 9.

Icomera has been selected to provide digital system upgrade to SunRail in Central Florida.

Transit Briefs: SunRail, NY MTA, MTS, NJ Transit, SMART

SunRail selects Icomera to provide digital system upgrade in Central Florida. Also, the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) launches one-stop rail app combining Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) and Metro-North Railroad trip planning

The Sacramento region has secured nearly $50 million in CalSTA TIRCP (Transit and Intercity Rail Capital Program) grants for Sacramento Valley Station and transit improvement projects. (Rendering Courtesy of Capitol Corridor Joint Powers Authority)

CalSTA Allocates $378.9MM for Rail Transit Projects

San Francisco Bay Area Rapid Transit District (BART) and Sacramento Regional Transit District (SacRT) are among the eight California agencies that will share $378.9 million in TIRCP (Transit and Intercity Rail Capital Program) grants from CalSTA (California State Transportation Agency) for rail-related projects.

Final appointments to MetroCEO Stephanie N. Wiggins' executive cabinet were announced on June 30.

L.A. Metro Announces Appointments to Executive Cabinet

Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro) CEO Stephanie N. Wiggins announced on June 30 final appointments to her executive cabinet, beginning with the selection of current General Manager of the Los

Starting July 29, Amtrak’s Ethan Allen Express will extend north to serve Middlebury, Vergennes and Burlington, Vt. (Amtrak/Steve Ostrowski)

Transit Briefs: Amtrak, Stantec/HART, Metrolink, New York MTA, San Diego MTS/NCTD

The Vermont Agency of Transportation (AOT) has reported that Amtrak’s Ethan Allen Express will begin service to Burlington, Vt., next month. Also, Stantec has landed a contract extension for work on Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation’s (HART) light rail project; Southern California’s Metrolink is rolling out the next phase of its Earthquake Early Warning System; New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) has launched an online trip planner for riders considering new Grand Central Madison commutes; and a new San Diego Metropolitan Transit System (MTS) and North County Transit District (NCTD) program will offer free transit passes for young adults transitioning out of foster care.

“As MTS modernizes its Trolley fleet, we are very glad to see our older [second-generation] models continue to be put to use, serving the people of Mendoza to carry residents to work, school and other activities, just like they’ve been doing in San Diego for almost 30 years,” said Sharon Cooney, CEO of MTS, which ordered 45 new S70 low-floor LRVs from Siemens in 2016, the first of which was delivered in 2018. (Pictured: LRV ready to roll in Argentina.)

San Diego Trolleys Making Their Way to Argentina

San Diego (Calif.) Metropolitan Transit System (MTS) is donating up to 39 decommissioned Siemens SD100 LRVs (light rail vehicles) to the city of Mendoza, Argentina.

VIA Rail has released a 2022-25 Accessibility Plan that will help provide riders “a barrier-free travel experience from reservation to destination.”

Transit Briefs: San Diego MTS, VIA Rail Canada

The San Diego (Calif.) Metropolitan Transit System (MTS) has reported a spike in ridership in recent weeks as gas prices soar. Also, VIA Rail Canada has issued its first multi-year accessibility plan.

San Diego MTS and Affirmed Housing have broken ground on a new five-story transit-oriented housing development featuring 124 studio and one-, two- and three-bedroom units reserved for households earning 30%-60% of the area median income. (Rendering Courtesy of Studio E Architects)

Transit Briefs: Brightline, San Diego MTS, Metrolinx

Brightline, Florida’s private-sector passenger rail operator, has ordered revenue management software from Accelya. Also, San Diego Metropolitan Transit System (MTS) and Affirmed Housing have broken ground on a new transit-oriented housing development located at the Grantville Trolley Station; and Metrolinx is naming the 11-mile, 19-station Hurontario Light Rail Transit project as the Hazel McCallion Line.

Transit Briefs: DART, MARTA, MBTA, Metrolink, San Diego MTS

Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) and a developer partnered to add a one-acre park near Victory Station. In addition, Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA) awarded a 10-year transit and digital advertising contract; Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) celebrated the completion of the Chelsea commuter rail station; the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (LACMTA) Board approved final environmental studies for Metrolink’s Antelope Valley Line Capacity and Service Improvements Program; and San Diego’s Metropolitan Transit System (MTS) determined that a Trolley extension to the airport is feasible and can be built within 10 years.

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