Transit Briefs: LA Metro, Amtrak, BART, CTA, SEPTA

LA Metro marks two consecutive years of ridership growth. Also, Amtrak Downeaster celebrates 10 million riders; Bay Area Rapid Transit’s (BART) Holiday Toy Drive collects more than 1,100 toys and $3,600 for Mission Food Hub families; the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) meets a record-breaking workforce milestone; and the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) awards a contract for the lease of five vacant regional rail stations.

(Image Courtesy of SEPTA, Via Facebook)

UPDATE: TWU Ratifies SEPTA Agreement

Transportation Workers Union (TWU) Local 234 on Dec. 9 reported ratifying a new one-year contract with Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA). The union, the transit agency’s largest, represents more than 5,300 bus,

SEPTA, Conduent Launch 3D Fare Gates Pilot Program (UPDATED, 12/11)

Conduent Transportation, a provider of smart mobility technology solutions and business unit of Conduent Incorporated, on May 16 announced a pilot program by the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) using the company’s 3D Fare Gate Solution at a Philadelphia area transit station to track and curb incidents of fare evasion, which costs the agency an estimated $30 million to $40 million annually.

VIA Rail Canada released this rendering of the locomotives and cars that will be acquired to replace the current “pan-Canadian” fleet that runs outside the Québec City–Windsor corridor. (Rendering Courtesy of VIA Rail)

Transit Briefs: VIA Rail Canada, ADOT, SEPTA, San Diego MTS

VIA Rail Canada (VIA Rail) launches Requests for Qualification (RFQ) for locomotives and cars to replace its Long-Distance, Regional and Remote fleet. Also, Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) advances its study on Phoenix-to-Tucson passenger rail service; Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) reports system-wide ridership for November; and San Diego (Calif.) Metropolitan Transit System (MTS) teams with a research firm to develop an equity statement and policy.

Pictured (left to right): Brad Thomas and David Scorey, Keolis North America; Jess Carneiro, Bohr Electronics; and Scott Sauer, SEPTA. (Photographs courtesy of the respective organizations)

People News: Keolis North America, Bohr Electronics, SEPTA, IANA

Brad Thomas is succeeding David Scorey as President and CEO of Keolis North America. Also, Bohr Electronics taps Jess Carneiro as Outside Sales Manager; Scott Sauer takes on the Interim General Manager role at Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA); and Intermodal Association of North America (IANA) elects its 2025 Board of Directors.

SEPTA Reprieve, But for How Long?

Philadelphians and visitors to the city who ride the transit operated by the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transit Authority (SEPTA) have had a wild ride lately, especially when it comes to the fares they

Pictured: SEPTA Board Chair Kenneth E. Lawrence Jr. (left) with Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro, during the Nov. 22 announcement that Shapiro would direct PennDOT Secretary Mike Carroll to begin the process of flexing $153 million of federal highway capital funds to SEPTA. (SEPTA Photograph)

SEPTA Postpones Second of Two Fare Increases

Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) on Nov. 22 reported that it will “postpone” the proposed 21.5% fare hike across all modes that would have taken effect Jan. 1, 2025, following Pennsylvania Gov. Josh

The SEPTA Board on Nov. 22 approved the first of two proposed fare increases, as the transit agency faces a $240 million annual budget deficit with the exhaustion of federal COVID relief funds. (SEPTA Photograph)

SEPTA Board Approves 7.5% Fare Hike

Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) will increase subway, trolley and bus fares by 7.5% starting Dec. 1. The move, proposed in September, was approved by the Board on Nov. 21, SEPTA reported.

(SEPTA Photograph)

SEPTA Proposes Another Fare Hike to Address Deficit

Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) has proposed a new fare increase of 21.5% across all modes and methods of payment starting Jan. 1, 2025, plus service cuts starting later next year to

(SEPTA Photograph)

SEPTA/TWU Contract Talks Continue (UPDATED 11/8)

Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority’s (SEPTA) largest union—Transportation Workers Union (TWU) Local 234 representing more than 5,300 workers—on Oct. 27 voted to authorize a strike, according to local media reports. While the union contract

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