Amtrak CEO Stephen Gardner earlier this month received the Honorable Ray LaHood Award for 2023 at WTS International’s annual conference in Atlanta, Ga. (Amtrak Photograph)

Transit Briefs: Amtrak, LACMTA, Maryland DOT Maryland MTA, SMART, TTC

WTS (Women’s Transportation Seminar) International recognizes Amtrak CEO Stephen Gardner for his commitment to advancing women in transportation. Also, the TAP fare card program for 26 Los Angeles County transit agencies, including LACMTA, expands its vendor network; Baltimore (Md.) Metropolitan Council issues a long-range regional transportation plan, which includes capital projects for Maryland Department of Transportation Maryland Transit Administration; Sonoma-Marin Area Rail Transit District (SMART) in California is launching an on-demand microtransit shuttle to the airport; and the Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) in Ontario, Canada selects SNC-Lavalin to provide enterprise asset management services.

A daily roundtrip will be added to the Piedmont starting July 10, according to Amtrak, which operates the intercity passenger train for NCDOT. (NCDOT Photograph)

Transit Briefs: Amtrak, CTA, TransLink/TTC, WMATA

Amtrak and the North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) are boosting Piedmont service between Charlotte and Raleigh. Also, Chicago Transit Authority’s (CTA) Transit-Supportive Development Plan for the Red Line Extension project has been adopted; Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) and Vancouver’s TransLink wrap up a pilot testing the effectiveness of antimicrobial copper coatings on high-touch vehicle services; TTC opens a community office ahead of construction at the Bloor-Yonge Station; and Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) celebrates the grand opening of its 98th station.

Transit Briefs: SFMTA, WMATA, TTC, Caltrain

The San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency (SFMTA) announces that rider satisfaction is the highest it has been in 10 years. Also, Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority’s (WMATA) Yellow Line train service resumes; the Toronto Transit Commission’s 504A King streetcar resumes service; and Caltrain awards construction contract for Mountain View Transit Center Grade Separation and Access Project.

The MBTA has launched a Speed Restrictions Dashboard that will provide riders with up-to-date information on speed restrictions across the agency's system. (Image Courtesy of MBTA)

Transit Briefs: MBTA, SEPTA, TTC, VIA Rail, NJ Transit, BART, PANYNJ

The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) launches online Speed Restrictions Dashboard; awards contract for major track and signal upgrades at South Station; and invites public comment on the proposed Capital Investment Plan (CIP) for Fiscal Years 2024-2028. Also, the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) awards design contract for Broad Street Line ADA Improvement project and approves proposal to install new fare gates; the Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) formerly ends token sales; VIA Rail Canada (VIA Rail) improves diversity and inclusion policies; NJ Transit advances improvements at Mahwah Station; Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) moves forward with purchase of fare gates to be installed systemwide; and the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey (PANYNJ) advances plan to replace AirTrain Newark with selection of three firms as part of multi-phase procurement process.

Cordel Group PLC and D/Gauge Ltd. (part of the TÜV Rheinland Group) have landed a multi-year contract to provide Amtrak with a Rail Clearance Management system.

Transit Briefs: Amtrak, BART, CapMetro, CTDOT, PATH, TTC, WMATA

Amtrak awards Rail Clearance Management system contract. Also, the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) lowers its ridership estimate for San Francisco Bay Area Rapid Transit District’s (BART) extension through San José; CapMetro’s Project Connect in Austin, Tex., has five new light rail options; Connecticut Department of Transportation (CTDOT) is developing a unified, statewide public transit information system for mobile devices; PATH introduces nine-car train service on the Newark (N.J.)-World Trade Center (N.Y.) line; the city of Toronto, Ontario, and the Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) bolster transit system outreach efforts; and Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) tests new fare gates.

The MCS consortium will integrate as a delivery partner with Metrolinx on its Scarborough Subway and Yonge North Subway extension projects, extending Toronto Transit Commission’s existing subway network by approximately 10 miles.

MCS Consortium Awarded Metrolinx GTA Contract

The Mace, Comtech and SYSTRA consortium (MCS) has been awarded the Delivery Partner Services contract to support Metrolinx’s Scarborough Subway and Yonge North Subway extension projects in Canada’s Greater Toronto Area (GTA).

Brightline West has inked a commitment with the High-Speed Rail Labor Coalition, which comprises 13 rail unions representing more than 160,000 freight, regional, commuter and passenger railroad workers in the United States. (Photograph Courtesy of Brightline West)

Transit Briefs: Brightline West, Metrolinx, NYMTA

Brightline West supports using union labor for its planned 218-mile high-speed rail system connecting Las Vegas and Southern California. Also, Metrolinx provides updates the Finch West LRT’s Humber College Station and Toronto Union Station projects in Canada; and the New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) will test “wide-aisle” fare gates.

“Public transportation is the safest mode of surface transportation, but it can be even safer for both passengers and transit workers,” said FTA Administrator Nuria Fernandez.

Transit Briefs: FTA, WMATA, NJ Transit, CTA, San Diego County, ORDC, TTC

The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) announces $6 million in funding to explore transportation insecurity that leads to poverty. Also, the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) announces new partnership between the Metro Transit Police Department (MTPD) and the DC Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) to enhance public safety; NJ Transit engineers say they could strike over pay disparity; the Chicago Transit Authority’s (CTA) latest interactive scorecard reveals more reliable service in January; San Diego County supervisors approve resolution to expand free youth public transit ridership program; ORDC will apply for the first phase of funding to study expanding passenger rail service in Ohio; and tunneling on the Toronto Transit Commission’s (TTC) Bloor-Danforth Subway Line began in January.

According to the MTA, major subway crime is down 16% compared to the same period in 2022.

Transit Briefs: NYMTA, Rio Grande Train Station, TTC, CCJPA

The New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) announces significant progress on subway and transit public safety initiatives. Also, a new plan aims to re-establish Rio Grande as a transportation hub; the Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) will deploy more than 80 additional staff focused on safety; and the Capital Corridor Joint Powers Authority (CCJPA) announces pilot program to let riders pay fares with contactless debit/credit cards.

Some older Orange Line cars may return to service, after MBTA pulled newer cars due to a power cable failure, according to a Jan. 7 Boston.com report.

Transit Briefs: MBTA, TEXRail, TTC, WMATA

Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) considers reinstating old Orange Line cars. Also, TEXRail celebrates four years of commuter service between Fort Worth and DFW Airport in Texas; Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) Board approves 2023 operating and capital budgets; and Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) advances its $179 million project to replace 130 escalators across 32 stations by 2028.

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