Muni ATCS Replacement Under Way with Hitachi Rail SelTrac™ (Updated Feb. 13, 2025)

In 1998, the SFMTA (San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency) Muni Metro was the first U.S. rail transit system to place CBTC (communications-based train control) in revenue service. Also known as TBTC (transmission-based

Jeff Roberts is now President and CEO of Savage, following the retirement of Kirk Aubry. (Savage Photograph)

People News: SFMTA, ASLRRA, Savage

Director of Transportation Jeffrey Tumlin announces his departure from the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency (SFMTA). Also, the American Short Line and Regional Railroad Association (ASLRRA) mourns the passing of Robert Grossman, who was inducted into the Short Line Railroad Industry Hall of Fame last spring; and Savage announces that President and CEO Kirk Aubry is retiring. He will be succeeded by Jeff Roberts.

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.

(Courtesy of GCRTA)

Transit Briefs: GCRTA, CTA, MBTA, NJT, SFMTA

Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority (GCRTA) celebrates 50 years of service. Also, Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) signs a new two-year agreement for expanded social service outreach; Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) releases its Strategic Plan Update detailing progress on fiscal and infrastructure improvements; New Jersey Transit (NJT) lands federal grant to study transit-oriented development in Paterson; and San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency (SFMTA) launches an official Muni merchandise store.

Transit Briefs: Amtrak, TriMet, DART, TTC, SFMTA, 30 Cleary Avenue

Amtrak’s Borealis ridership reaches 100,000 passengers in 22 weeks. Also, TriMet expands language options on its website; Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) celebrates the groundbreaking of the new Silver Line Equipment Maintenance Facility in Plano; the Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) announces final day to use old tickets, tokens and day passes; the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency (SFMTA) crosses a major ridership milestone; and a new model for sustainable and affordable housing at 30 Cleary Avenue in Ottawa gets the green light.

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.

SFMTA’s 2024 annual report, Next Stop: A Thriving San Francisco, covers its accomplishments from July 1, 2023, to June 30, 2024—from how people are getting around in new ways to how the transit agency is working to meet the city’s transportation needs now and in the future. (SFMTA Photograph)

Transit Briefs: SFMTA, MDOT, Metrolinx, TriMet, Phoenix Valley Metro

San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency (SFMTA) releases its 2024 annual report. Also, a new agreement between Maryland’s Department of Transportation (MDOT) and Department of Housing and Community Development accelerates transit-oriented development opportunities; Metrolinx adds trips to the GO rail network’s Milton Line; Tri-County Metropolitan Transportation District of Oregon (TriMet) earns top credit ratings; and Phoenix (Ariz.) Valley Metro’s new fare system offers cash payment options.

Commentary

Muni Welcomes Two New Women Cable Car Grips

The Muni family is proud to introduce two of its newest cable car grips: Chanelle Smith and Annie Washington.

Starting Sept. 28, DART light rail riders will see increased service frequency on weekends. (DART Photograph)

Transit Briefs: DART, SFMTA, TransLink, TTC

Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) is boosting weekend service and ordering new ticket vending machines. Also, San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency (SFMTA) is restoring Muni service to the L Taraval line after a five-year improvement project; TransLink is upgrading SkyTrain’s Oakridge–41st Avenue Station in Vancouver; and free public Wi-Fi is ending at Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) subway stations.

SFMTA is establishing a working group “focused on ways to fund and cut spending at the financially strapped Municipal Transportation Agency” (Muni), San Francisco's network of bus, light rail, streetcar and cable car services, according to SFBay.ca. (SFMTA Photograph)

Transit Briefs: SFMTA, VIA Rail, Brightline, MARTA, HART

San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency (SFMTA) is forming a working group to address projected deficits for Municipal Railway (Muni). Also, Transport Canada is requiring VIA Rail to update its emergency management action plan after riders were stranded on an intercity passenger train; Brightline, Florida’s private-sector passenger railroad, now allows travel agents and others to book its rail service with flights; Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority’s (MARTA) Atlanta headquarters earns Energy Star Certification by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA); and Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation’s (HART) CEO receives a new multi-year contract.

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