The California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) has awarded approximately $97 million to ten rail-related projects that it said prioritize public transit in communities most affected by pollution. They will be funded by
Sonoma-Marin Area Rail Transit’s (SMART) Windsor Extension Project receives the American Society of Civil Engineer’s (ASCE) 2025 Outstanding Transportation Project Award. Also, the Ontario government breaks ground on the first of three stations for the Scarborough Subway Extension.
Northern California’s Sonoma-Marin Area Rail Transit (SMART) launches service to Windsor. Also, NC By Train celebrates 35 years of Carolinian and 30 years of Piedmont passenger rail service; and San Diego Metropolitan Transit System (MTS) and North County Transit–San Diego Railroad (NCTD) mark a contactless fare-payment milestone.
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.
Justin Vonashek kicks off his first day as MTA Metro-North Railroad President by greeting riders of the newly announced “Super Express” trains. Also, Seattle’s Sound Transit readies for the Downtown Redmond Link Extension opening next month; and California’s Sonoma-Marin Area Rail Transit (SMART) will launch service to Windsor in late spring.
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.
Amtrak’s Vice President, State Supported Services discusses the Harrisburg Line Track Renewal Project with Pennsylvania’s NPR affiliate. Also, California’s Sonoma-Marin Area Rail Transit (SMART) receives a $7 million grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Safe Streets and Roads for All program.
The Transport Workers Union of America (TWU) secures a contract that raises wages for its Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) commuter rail workers in Boston. Also, Sonoma-Marin Area Rail Transit (SMART) releases its Fiscal Year 2024 budget.
A second daily Amtrak train is launching between St. Paul, Minn., and Chicago, via Milwaukee, Wis., the state-supported Borealis. Also, New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) and New York City Department of Social Services (DSS) unveil the Fair Fares pilot program; Northern California’s Sonoma-Marin Area Rail Transit (SMART) logs record commuter rail ridership; and Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) and Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments (COG) announce a transit planning initiative for the District of Columbia, Maryland and Virginia.
California’s Caltrain retires 32 gallery cars to make room for its new electric fleet. Also, Denver (Colo.) Regional Transportation District (RTD) kicks off a customer service pilot program; and Missouri’s Kansas City (KC) Streetcar Authority releases the results of its 2023 rider satisfaction survey.
