Transit Briefs: Amtrak, SEPTA, CDOT/FRPR District, Santa Clara VTA

Amtrak advances upgrades and repairs at Lancaster Station. Also, April 2025 Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) ridership increases 6% from last year; SEPTA’s Efficiency & Accountability (E&A) Program recognizes $91 million in revenue and savings; the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) and the Front Range Passenger Rail (FRPR) District explore options to bring passenger rail service to the Front Range; and the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) launches a veteran discount fare pilot program.

Eight new Stadler-built DMUs (diesel multiple units) are expected to run along the 26-mile, 10-station DART Silver Line before year’s end. (DART Photograph)

Transit Briefs: DART, Denver RTD, Santa Clara VTA, SEPTA

Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) is kicking off Silver Line train testing in Addison, Dallas, and Downtown Carrollton, Tex. Also, Denver Regional Transportation District (RTD) is improving safety and security at Union Station; Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) provides an update on Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU) negotiations; and Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) celebrates 40 years of Airport Line service.

VTA photo

Transit Briefs: Santa Clara VTA, Amtrak, WMATA, Caltrain/SMART/BART

The Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) ratifies agreements with three unions. Also, Amtrak advances upgrades at two western Pennsylvania stations; the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) selects a developer for the future mixed-use buildings at Deanwood Metro Station; and first-quarter 2025 brings big gains for Bay Area transit agencies.

Transit Briefs: WMATA, VPRA, UTA, Santa Clara VTA, Sound Transit

The Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) implements a policy to ban violent and sexual offenders beginning June 2. Also, a new Passenger Information Display System (PIDS) improves the customer experience at the Virginia Passenger Rail Authority’s (VPRA) Amtrak Main Street Station in Richmond; the Utah Transit Authority (UTA) opens a new station on the TRAX Red Line; Santa Clara Superior Court Judge Daniel Nishigaya orders striking Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) employees back to work; and Dow Constantine is hired as Sound Transit’s next CEO.

Transit Briefs: SEPTA, NCDOT, North Texas Commuter Rail, Santa Clara VTA

Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) average daily ridership in February 2025 increases from last year. Also, North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) considers a temporary station at Charlotte Gateway Station; three North Texas agencies could combine commuter rail operations; and the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) is denied a bid for a temporary restraining order to stop an ongoing strike.

Transit Briefs: Sound Transit, Denver RTD, SFMTA, Santa Clara VTA

Train testing begins on Sound Transit’s Federal Way Link Extension. Also, the Denver Regional Transportation District (RTD) and Fraternal Order of Police finalize a three-year agreement; lawmakers in Sacramento, Calif., request flexible funding for the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency (SFMTA); and the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) asks Governor Gavin Newsom to intervene in a transit worker strike.

The Long Bridge Rail Partners joint venture of Trumbull Corp. Fay, S&B Construction, and Wagman Heavy Civil Inc. has been selected for the Long Bridge Project-South Package. (Long Bridge Project Map Courtesy of VPRA)

Transit Briefs: VPRA, TriMet, Santa Clara VTA, SEPTA

The Virginia Passenger Rail Authority (VPRA) selects a construction partner for the Long Bridge Project-South Package. Also, Tri-County Metropolitan Transportation District of Oregon (TriMet) rolls out its first two Type 6 MAX system light rail vehicles; Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) is scheduling light rail rehabilitation projects for 2025; and Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) reports the largest one-year drop in serious crimes in its history.

MTA on Jan. 14 released data on traffic volumes, travel times, and transit ridership from the congestion relief program’s first week. The program took effect Sunday, Jan. 5, 2025. (MTA Photograph)

Transit Briefs: New York/MTA, Massachusetts/MBTA, Rio Metro, DART, UTA, VTA

New York Gov. Kathy Hochul announces MTA New York City subway safety initiatives. Also, MTA releases preliminary traffic and transit data from the congestion relief program’s first work week; Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey plans an $8 billion investment to improve regional transit, roads, and bridges and to stabilize MBTA finances; New Mexico’s Rio Metro Regional Transit District (Rio Metro) lands a federal grant for a new commuter rail Operations and Maintenance Facility; progress on Dallas Area Rapid Transit’s (DART) Silver Line continues with passenger service targeted for late 2025 or early 2026; Utah Transit Authority’s (UTA) ridership recovery reaches near pre-pandemic levels; and Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) and 17 other transit agencies sign the Equity In Infrastructure Project Pledge.

Transit Briefs: KC Streetcar, MTC, WMATA, Amtrak

KC Streetcar #814 arrives in Kansas City. Also, the Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC) and Bay Area transit agencies debut new transit maps and signs; the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority’s (WMATA) budget proposal includes targeted rail service increases; and Amtrak releases its Fiscal Year 2024 (FY24) Year-End Summary video.

The University of Virginia on Nov. 20 published a 105-page study evaluating the economic and social impact of Virginia Passenger Rail Authority’s Transforming Rail in Virginia initiative. (VPRA Photograph)

Transit Briefs: VPRA, Santa Clara VTA

A new study finds that the Virginia Passenger Rail Authority’s (VPRA) Transforming Rail in Virginia initiative could provide the commonwealth with a nearly $7 billion economic boost. Also, California’s Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) lands federal funding for a transit-oriented development project in Gilroy.

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