Tri-County Metropolitan Transportation District of Oregon

TTC’s long-awaited, C$2.6 billion Line 6 Finch West LRT launched Dec. 7, and will soon offer extended service hours. (Screen Grab from Metrolinx Construction Video)

Transit Briefs: TTC, TriMet, CTA, WMATA

Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) rolls out enhanced transit signal priority on Line 5 Eglinton and Line 6 Finch West, plus extends Finch West service hours. Also, Tri-County Metropolitan Transportation District of Oregon (TriMet) releases an updated package of service proposals and a proposed Fiscal Year (FY) 2027 budget; Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) submits a revised security enhancement plan to the Federal Transit Administration (FTA); and Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) launches a priority seating pilot program.

Nicolas Petrovic as CEO of Brightline Holdings LLC (Courtesy of Brightline Trains)

People News: Brightline, UTA, NCTD, TriMet

Brightline Trains appoints Nicolas Petrovic as CEO of Brightline Holdings LLC and Mauricio Anderson as Chief Financial Officer of Brightline Holdings and its subsidiaries (other than Brightline West). Also, Paul Ray joins Utah Transit Authority (UTA) as Government Relations Director; Adrienne L. Johnson transitions to Deputy Chief People Officer at North County Transit–San Diego Railroad (NCTD) in California; and Jamie Snook rises to Executive Director of Capital Project Delivery at Tri-County Metropolitan Transportation District of Oregon (TriMet).

Amtrak’s twice-daily Mardi Gras between New Orleans and Mobile, Ala., has served more than 46,000 riders since its Aug. 18 launch. (Photograph Courtesy of Amtrak)

Transit Briefs: Amtrak, SEPTA, TriMet, NJT, TTC, MBTA

Amtrak’s newest service, the Mardi Gras, is seeing strong demand. Also, Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) is taking delivery of 10 leased coaches from MARC (Maryland Area Regional Commuter Rail); Tri-County Metropolitan Transportation District of Oregon (TriMet) promotes Alan Lehto to Executive Director of Planning, a newly created position; New Jersey Transit (NJT) earns the 2025 Combating Human Trafficking in Transportation Impact Award; Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) considers advertising installations in subway tunnels; and Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) and Keolis Commuter Services (Keolis) release a year-in-review report.

“For 70 years, The Canadian has given Canadians a chance to slow down and experience the beauty of this country in a way that no other journey can offer,” VIA Rail President and CEO Mario Péloquin said on Nov. 21. (Courtesy of VIA Rail)

Transit Briefs: Denver RTD, TriMet, VIA Rail

Denver Regional Transportation District (RTD) in Colorado releases its third-quarter financial results. Also, Tri-County Metropolitan Transportation District of Oregon (TriMet) takes delivery of its last Type 6 MAX LRV on order; and VIA Rail Canada (VIA Rail) celebrates The Canadian’s 70th year of service and provides an update on its new Pan-Canadian fleet.

WMATA is honoring veterans with patriotic wraps for trains and buses, plus MetroAccess vans. (Rendering Courtesy of WMATA)

Transit Briefs: TTC, WMATA, TriMet, WVU

Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow launches an action plan to boost safety across the city’s transit system. Also, Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) honors veterans with patriotic trains and buses for Veterans Day; Kroll Bond Rating Agency affirms its highest rating for Tri-County Metropolitan Transportation District of Oregon’s (TriMet) payroll tax revenue bonds; and West Virginia University (WVU) celebrates five decades of PRT (Personal Rapid Transit) service.

Pictured, from left to right: Doug Recker, Duos; Inessa M. Vitko, TriMet; and Mary L. Hill, TriMet. (Photographs courtesy of the respective organizations)
  • News

People News: Duos, MARTA, TriMet

Duos Technologies Group, Inc. appoints Doug Recker as a Corporate Officer and President. Also, Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA) Interim General Manager and CEO Jonathan Hunt restructures the leadership team; and Tri-County Metropolitan Transportation District of Oregon (TriMet) taps Inessa M. Vitko as Chief Operations Officer and promotes Mary L. Hill to Executive Director of Transportation.

FlatironDragados reports being selected for the preconstruction services phase of the Link Union Station project, what it called “a long-awaited modernization of the historic Los Angeles Union Station, Southern California’s busiest multimodal transit hub.” (Courtesy of FlatironDragados)

Transit Briefs: LACMTA, HART, MBTA, TriMet

The Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (LACMTA) selects FlatironDragados to build two key rail projects. Also, Segment 2 trial operations are under way for Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation’s (HART) Skyline project; installation of new Commuter Rail fare gates is starting at Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority’s (MBTA) South Station; and Tri-County Metropolitan Transportation District of Oregon’s (TriMet) Transit Police Division welcomes back the Portland Police Bureau.

“Let your voice be heard: Vote on the exterior design for Metro’s new 8000-series rail fleet,” WMATA reported Aug. 18. One of the three design options is pictured above. The winning concept will be announced at the end of this month. (WMATA Image)

Transit Briefs: WMATA, TriMet, Denver RTD

Cast your vote for one of three exterior graphic designs for Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority’s (WMATA) new 8000-series Hitachi Rail cars. Also, Tri-County Metropolitan Transportation District of Oregon (TriMet) installs more than 700 digital displays networkwide for real-time train and bus alerts; and Denver (Colo.) Regional Transit District (RTD) boosts by 500% rail-system fare checks as part of its security plan.

“We appreciate the efforts of the Oregon Legislature to assemble a package that balances funding for all modes of transportation,” TriMet reported April 17. “However, the amount of funding for public transit currently being proposed is not enough to avoid service cuts.” (TriMet Photograph)

Transit Briefs: TriMet, NJT, SJJPA

Tri-County Metropolitan Transportation District of Oregon (TriMet) warns of service cuts without increased state funding. Also, New Jersey Transit (NJT) debuts a new fare card; and the San Joaquin Joint Powers Authority (SJJPA) Board approves a new brand name for its intercity passenger rail service.