San Francisco Bay Area Rapid Transit District

The LACMTA Board has selected the San Vicente–Fairfax alignment as the Locally Preferred Alternative for the 10-mile, 10-station K Line Northern Extension project. (Map Courtesy of LACMTA)

Transit Briefs: LACMTA, NYMTA, BART, Denver RTD, SEPTA, Alstom

The Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (LACMTA) Board signs off on the K Line Northern Extension plan. Also, the New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) launches a mobile app for subway and bus riders; San Francisco Bay Area Rapid Transit District (BART) posts its highest ridership week since the pandemic; Denver Regional Transportation District (RTD) in Colorado releases preliminary 2025 financial results; Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) will deploy digital real-time arrival displays at selected trolley and bus stops; and Alstom will upgrade the Skyway at Houston Intercontinental Airport in Texas.

The BART Board on Feb. 26 adopted an alternative service plan outlining specific budget balancing details to solve a $376 million deficit for the next fiscal year if no new funds become available to the transit agency. (Courtesy of BART)

Transit Briefs: BART, MBTA, MARC, Metra

The San Francisco Bay Area Rapid Transit District (BART) Board adopts an alternative service plan outlining budget-balancing details. Also, Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) is developing a rail modernization plan to provide more frequent, reliable and accessible regional rail service; Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET) members ratify a new contract with Alstom and Maryland’s MARC commuter rail; and Chicago’s Metra schedules 41 safety blitzes for 2026.

BART is among the Bay Area transit agencies that have partnered to test and standardize sign designs, like those pictured above, that they all can use to offer riders a consistent “look and feel.” (Gordon Hansen Photograph, Courtesy of MTC)

Transit Briefs: MTC, DART

California’s Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC) and partner San Francisco Bay Area transit agencies approve standardized sign designs. Also, Plano, Tex., cancels its Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) withdrawal election.

Muni operates buses, light rail Metro trains, historic streetcars and iconic cable cars in San Francisco. (SFMTA Photograph)

For Bay Area Transit, a $590MM ‘Fiscal Bridge’ (UPDATED 2/20)

The Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC) on Jan. 30 reported reaching an agreement with the Office of California Gov. Gavin Newsom and the state’s Department of Finance for a $590 million loan that will “avert major service cuts” at San Francisco Bay Area Rapid Transit District (BART), Caltrain, San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency’s (SFMTA) Muni, and Alameda-Contra Costa Transit District (AC Transit) during the 2026-27 fiscal year that begins July 1.

“The 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games are a time for America to shine on the world stage—and we know that transportation will be a key part of the visitor experience,” LACMTA CEO Stephanie Wiggins said. “We appreciate this bipartisan support from Congress and this Administration, and we look forward to continuing to work with them to provide the needed resources so everyone coming for America’s Games can have a gold medal experience in 2028.” (Discover Los Angeles Photograph, Courtesy of LACMTA)

Transit Briefs: LACMTA, CTC, BART

Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (LACMTA) advances its Games Enhanced Transit System (GETS) plan, ahead of the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games. Also, the California Transportation Commission (CTC) allocates funding for the rehabilitation of Los Angeles Union Station and purchase of new light rail vehicles for Sacramento Regional Transit (SacRT); and San Franscisco Bay Area Rapid Transit District (BART) releases a 2026-2035 Sustainability Action Plan.

“The Northlander is ‘on track’ to make its comeback!” reported Victor Fedeli, Ontario’s Minister of Economic Development, Job Creation, and Trade, via social media. (Courtesy of Victor Fedeli)

Transit Briefs: Ontario’s Northlander, CTA/Metra, BART, DEN/Alstom

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).

The proposed CV Rail intercity passenger service would span approximately 144 miles, linking the City of Coachella, Calif., with Union Station in Downtown Los Angeles. (Courtesy of RCTC)

Transit Briefs: LACMTA, BART, UTA, Phoenix Valley Metro, SEPTA, CV Rail

Parsons Transportation Group (Parsons) lands a contract for Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority’s (LACMTA) Metro A line extension project. Also, crime on the San Francisco Bay Area Rapid Transit District (BART) drops 41% in 2025; Utah Transit Authority (UTA) shares 2025 achievements and 2026 service plans; Phoenix Valley Metro in Arizona is identified as a top transit agency in the nation for ridership growth; leased railcars will soon enter Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) commuter rail service; and Southern California’s Riverside County Transportation Commission advances the proposed Coachella Valley Rail (CV Rail) project.

The Federal Transit Administration has issued a Record of Decision for Austin Light Rail’s Final Environmental Impact Statement. (Rendering Courtesy of Austin Transit Partnership)

Transit Briefs: ATP, BART, Denver RTD, Alto

Austin Transit Partnership (ATP) marks a milestone in the Austin, Tex., light rail project’s federal funding process. Also, San Francisco Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) teams with Uber Transit on first mile/last mile planning and payment; Denver (Colo.) Regional Transit District (RTD) earns “stable outlook” from three credit agencies; and Canada’s planned Alto high-speed rail project could include tunnels in Montreal and Toronto.

The State of California, through the Affordable Housing and Sustainable Communities Round 9 program, has awarded SacRT three grants totaling $25.8 million. Among the projects covered by the grants: the purchase of four new LRVs. (Screen Grab from SacRT video)

Transit Briefs: SacRT, DART, BART

California’s Sacramento Regional Transit District (SacRT) secures state funding for new LRVs (light rail vehicles) and station construction and other transit projects. Also, Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) celebrates the phase one-opening of a Carollton, Tex.-based transit-oriented development; and San Francisco Bay Area Rapid Transit District (BART) and 23 regional transit partners launch an electronic fare payment system.

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