SEPTA’s King of Prussia Rail project will extend the existing Norristown High Speed Line (NHSL) four miles into King of Prussia, providing a “one-seat” ride from any station along the NHSL.

SEPTA Issues RFP for King of Prussia Rail

Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) has released a Request for Proposals (RFP) for the final design phase of the King of Prussia Rail (KOP Rail) project.

“Investing in transit is an investment in our climate; equitable access to opportunities; public health and safety; and economic strength,” SEPTA General Manager and CEO Leslie S. Richards said.

SEPTA Releases Capital Budget Proposals

Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) has proposed a $1.162 capital budget for Fiscal Year 2023—its “first to break the billion-dollar mark”—and a $11.4 billion 12-year plan.

MARTA and Goldman Sachs are working together on an initiative that finances new affordable housing and transit-oriented development near the agency’s 38 heavy rail stations and 12 Atlanta Streetcar light rail stops.

Transit Briefs: MARTA, Metrolink, SEPTA

Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA) and the Goldman Sachs Urban Investment Group have doubled the funding for their affordable housing and transit-oriented development (TOD) initiative. Also, Southern California’s Metrolink is adding 26 trains to its regional/commuter rail schedule; and Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) is launching an institutional pass program to boost ridership.

Amtrak Northeast Regional Train 188 derailed at Frankford Junction in Philadelphia on the Northeast Corridor, shortly after 9:00 p.m. on Tuesday, May 12, 2015. (Accident scene image courtesy of NTSB)

Report: Former Amtrak Engineer Found ‘Not Guilty’ in 2015 Derailment

Ex-Amtrak engineer Brandon Bostian was acquitted on March 4 of all charges related to the May 12, 2015 derailment of Northeast Regional Train 188 in Philadelphia that killed eight and injured more than 200.

Portal North—part of the massive Gateway Program, which will eventually double rail capacity between Newark, N.J., and New York—will replace the 110-year-old Portal Bridge, a mechanical-trouble-plagued swing bridge built by the Pennsylvania Railroad in 1910 as part of its New York Improvements project.

Transit Briefs: NJ Transit, SEPTA

New Jersey Transit has earned three capital construction awards. Also, the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) Board has approved a new ambassador program to promote system safety.

Commentary

Biden Administration Sides With Labor, Throwing California Transit Grants (and Riders) Under the Bus

In what has become a contest between two groups who strongly back Democrats, the Biden Administration has come out for labor by refusing to certify grants that would help California’s transit providers and, eventually, the state’s riders. The decision by the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) could eventually affect transit projects in other transit-rich states that are facing financial woes due to the pandemic.

WOMEN IN RAIL 2021

RAILWAY AGE, NOVEMBER 2021 ISSUE: Railway Age’s Women in Rail awards recognize leaders for driving their businesses forward while making a difference in the industry and in their communities.

Pennsylvania Awards $8.7MM for ‘Green’ Power

Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf on Nov. 1 awarded $8.7 million to three Marine and Rail Freight Movers Grant Program projects that will replace older diesel-powered switchers with “green” power.

Transit Briefs: BART, SEPTA, TriMet

Bay Area Rapid Transit is initiating a “Free BART Rides for School Field Trips” pilot program. In addition, Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) is launching a Transit Supportive Community Development program along corridors with frequent transit service, not just near stations; and Tri-County Metropolitan Transportation District of Oregon (TriMet) has maintained a top bond rating and rolled out new sustainability bonds.

Transit Briefs: UTA, TransLink, SEPTA, CTDOT

Utah Transit Authority’s (UTA) FrontRunner commuter rail service may expand from Provo to Payson. In addition, metro Vancouver’s TransLink has released the first full draft of Transport 2050, the region’s 30-year transportation strategy; Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) has selected Huitt-Zollars, Inc. for an 18-month study to create a regional rail network plan; and Connecticut will evaluate Aira, a service providing public transit assistance to individuals who are blind or have low vision.

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