SANDAG

“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.

CalSTA: $1.3B for 27 Rail and Transit Projects

The California State Transportation Agency (CalSTA) recently announced that $1.3 billion from the Transit and Intercity Capital Rail Program (TIRCP) funded by the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund (cap-and-trade) will go to 27 projects following a statewide competitive grant application process for Cycle 7, according to a Streetsblog California report.

From Left to Right: Mario Orso, CEO, SANDAG; John Jerome, Vice President, LJA Rail; Del Walker, Denver Office Leader, HNTB; and Michelle Buonacuore, Construction Services Manager, HNTB. (Images Courtesy of LinkedIn, LJA and HNTB)
  • News

People News: SANDAG, LJA Engineering, HNTB

The San Diego Association of Governments (SANDAG) appoints Mario Orso as Chief Executive Officer. Also, LJA Engineering welcomes John Jerome as Vice President of LJA Rail; and HNTB names Del Walker as Denver Office Leader and Michelle Buonacuore joins as a Construction Services Manager.

At New Jersey Transit, a commuter rail locomotive and two buses are specially wrapped to with graphics celebrating prominent African Americans and their contributions to American history. (Photograph Courtesy of NJT via Facebook)

Transit Briefs: NJT, NYMTA, SANDAG, TTC

New Jersey Transit (NJT) celebrates Black History Month with specially wrapped buses and commuter rail locomotive. Also, New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) advances its no-standing zone pilot program to protect subway conductors; San Diego Association of Governments (SANDAG) will reassess route options for the Airport Transit Connection project; and Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) says investments in new frontline staff are improving customer satisfaction and safety.

From Left to Right: Robert Orlin, Vice President and Assistant General Counsel, STV; Clint Herrera, Director of Engineering Design, POLB; and Khristina Jason, Director of Human Resources, POLB.
  • News

People News: STV, SANDAG, POLB, Sound Transit

STV hires Robert Orlin as Vice President and Assistant General Counsel. Also, the San Diego Association of Governments (SANDAG) Board of Directors appoints Deputy CEO Coleen Clementson to Interim CEO; the Long Beach Board of Harbor Commissioners approves the appointments of new directors for the Port of Long Beach’s (POLB) Human Resources and Engineering Design divisions; and Sound Transit’s CEO Julie Timm announces resignation.

A new Amtrak OIG report finds that Amtrak “faces challenges with the systems and processes it uses to track and manage costs for capital projects, which hinder project teams from identifying emerging cost overruns.” (Photograph Courtesy of Amtrak OIG, via Twitter)

Transit Briefs: Amtrak OIG, FTA, NYMTA

“Amtrak is strengthening its project cost management, but can better organize costs and improve guidance,” according to the latest Amtrak Office of Inspector General (OIG) report. Also, the San Diego Association of Governments (SANDAG), Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) and Cincinnati Connector Streetcar will receive funding through the Federal Transit Administration’s (FTA) Areas of Persistent Poverty Program; and New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) will increase subway fares and implement recommendations of the Blue-Ribbon Panel Report on Fare and Toll Evasion.

CalSTA announced a $46 million state grant for VTA's East San Jose Light Rail Extension.

CalSTA: $690MM for Public Transportation Projects

The California State Transportation Agency (CalSTA) on April 24 announced an award of more than $690 million to 28 new public transportation projects in disadvantaged communities to “close out the first wave of a historic infusion of state funding to expand transit and passenger rail service throughout the state, helping to cut planet-warming pollution.”

“Public transportation is the safest mode of surface transportation, but it can be even safer for both passengers and transit workers,” said FTA Administrator Nuria Fernandez.

Transit Briefs: FTA, WMATA, NJ Transit, CTA, San Diego County, ORDC, TTC

The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) announces $6 million in funding to explore transportation insecurity that leads to poverty. Also, the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) announces new partnership between the Metro Transit Police Department (MTPD) and the DC Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) to enhance public safety; NJ Transit engineers say they could strike over pay disparity; the Chicago Transit Authority’s (CTA) latest interactive scorecard reveals more reliable service in January; San Diego County supervisors approve resolution to expand free youth public transit ridership program; ORDC will apply for the first phase of funding to study expanding passenger rail service in Ohio; and tunneling on the Toronto Transit Commission’s (TTC) Bloor-Danforth Subway Line began in January.