Transit Briefs: MBTA, NYMTA, TriMet, LA Metro, LOSSAN Rail Corridor Agency

Arlington, Mass., explores an extension of the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) Red Line. Also, the New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) commits to awarding up to $7.5 billion to historically underutilized businesses as part of its next Capital Plan; a new survey shows the overall approval of TriMet increasing; LA Metro’s August ridership marks the 21st consecutive month of year-over-year growth; and Gov. Gavin Newsom signs legislation giving California more agency in managing the Los Angeles-San Luis Obispo-San Diego (LOSSAN) rail corridor.

Transit Briefs: Amtrak, DART, LA Metro, TriMet, Jacobs, Denver RTD

Amtrak debuts a new integration with Google to support more sustainable transportation choices. Also, Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) is named Agency of the Year by Latinos In Transit (LIT); LA Metro shares its Mobility Concept Plan for the 2028 Olympic games; TriMet approves a new labor contract with the Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU) Local 757; the New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) appoints Jacobs as the program management consultant for the Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) Station Improvements Project; and the Denver Regional Transportation District (RTD) marks 30 years of light rail.

TriMet on Aug. 28 officially launched the 7.8-mile, 10-station Max Red Line extension, wrapping up its three-year, $218 million A Better Red project to increase the light rail system’s reliability, to serve the growing job center of Washington County, and to provide more people with a one-seat ride to and from Portland International Airport. (TriMet Photograph)

Transit Briefs: LACMTA, MBTA, TriMet, CCJPA/Amtrak, City of Edmonton

Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (LACMTA) releases its Fiscal Year (FY) 2025 adopted budget book. Also, Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) wraps up Red Line track work, removing six speed restrictions; Tri-County Metropolitan Transportation District of Oregon (TriMet) celebrates the launch of its MAX Red Line extension into Hillsboro; Capitol Corridor Joint Powers Authority (CCJPA), Amtrak, and other rail partners kick off September Rail Safety Month with a safety train event; and the City of Edmonton, Alberta debuts the “Here to Help” campaign as part of its Enhanced Transit Safety Plan.

MBTA crews and contractors earlier this month replaced track and ties along the Green Line B Branch. (Photograph Courtesy of MBTA Customer and Employee Experience Department)

Transit Briefs: MBTA, PATH, TriMet, WMATA

Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) completes Green Line B Branch track work, removing eight speed restrictions. Also, Port Authority of New York and New Jersey’s (PANY/NJ) PATH tap-and-go fare payment system marks a milestone; Oregon’s new drug law will improve safety on TriMet (Tri-County Metropolitan Transportation District of Oregon); and Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) receives LEED® certification for two more projects.

Transit Briefs: North Central Texas Council of Governments, NJ Transit, Caltrain, TriMet, Metra

North Texas officials increase a proposed high-speed rail study budget by $1.6 million. Also, NJ Transit agrees to become the “Agency of Record” for the two-decade old effort to build a light rail line from Glassboro to Camden; Caltrain launches a new online store; TriMet’s recruitment efforts drive a record-setting flood of MAX operator applicants; and Metra becomes the Chicago Sky’s “Official Transit Provider.”

Pictured, left to right: Matthew McClaren, Vice President, Safety at CN, and Dr. LaVerne Lewis, TriMet Board President. (Photographs Courtesy of the respective companies)

People News: CN, TriMet

CN elevates Matthew McClaren to Vice President, Safety. Also, the Tri-County Metropolitan Transportation District of Oregon (TriMet) Board elects Dr. LaVerne Lewis as its President; she is the first person of African American descent to permanently serve in the role.

A new Amtrak station in Brattleboro, Vt., is being built to improve accessibility; it will have the state’s first-ever level boarding train platform. (Rendering Courtesy of Amtrak)

Transit Briefs: Amtrak, MBTA, Metrolinx, Chicago RTA, Sound Transit, SEPTA, TriMet

Amtrak breaks ground on new Brattleboro, Vt., station and platform upgrades. Also, Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) teams with Tufts University on a new university pass pilot; Metrolinx’s Eglinton Crosstown LRT in Toronto edges toward completion and Eglinton Crosstown West Extension marks a milestone; Chicago’s Regional Transportation Authority (RTA) advances the launch of an integrated day pass for Metra, CTA and Pace riders; Sound Transit riders in Seattle, Wash., can now add an ORCA fare card to their Google Wallet; and Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) and Tri-County Metropolitan Transportation District of Oregon (TriMet) increase rules’ enforcement.

Transit Briefs: NYMTA, TriMet, Valley Metro

The New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) launches subway station manager office hours. Also, TriMet will begin testing its newest trains on the MAX Red Line this month; and Valley Metro’s new fare system launches this summer.

APTA Announces 2024 Rail Safety, Security and Emergency Management Winners (UPDATED 6/7)

The American Public Transportation Association (APTA) on June 4 honored six public transportation providers from California, Georgia, New York, Oregon, Pennsylvania and Washington, D.C., with the 2024 Rail Safety, Security and Emergency Management Awards.

Amtrak recently held a ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate the completion of accessibility upgrades worth $3.5 million at the Newbern-Dyersburg Station in west Tennessee. (Amtrak Photograph)

Transit Briefs: Amtrak, NYMTA, PANY/NJ, TriMet

Amtrak debuts station accessibility upgrades in west Tennessee and an updated Cafe Acela menu. Also, New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) marks progress on the reduction of subway fare evasion; Port Authority of New York and New Jersey’s (PANY/NJ) PATH tap-and-go fare payment system is now available systemwide; and Tri-County Metropolitan Transportation District of Oregon (TriMet) adopts a $1.84 billion budget for Fiscal Year (FY) 2025.

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