The Tennessee Advisory Commission on Intergovernmental Relations has recommended a state DOT study on the feasibility of passenger rail from Nashville to Chattanooga to Atlanta.

Transit Briefs: States of Calif., Tenn.; UTA; Phoenix Valley Metro

Tennessee pursues passenger rail service from Nashville to Chattanooga to Atlanta. Also, California Gov. Gavin Newsom awards $352 million in grants for “transit-oriented, climate-friendly housing” in underserved communities; Utah Transit Authority (UTA) will use drones to monitor its network; and Valley Metro of Phoenix, Ariz., updates its app.

(NCTD Photograph)

NCTD Cutting Back Coaster Fleet

The Board of California’s North County Transit District (NCTD) on June 15 approved trimming the Coaster regional/commuter rail fleet by five legacy, Bombardier-built bi-levels and two just-delivered Siemens Chargers, and using the

HDR Fronts FrontRunner Double-Tracking

The Utah Department of Transportation (UDOT) has selected a team led by HDR and including WSP USA to provide program management services for its $966.2 million FrontRunner Strategic Double Track Project, which will add at least nine new segments of double track along the 82-mile, 16-station Ogden-Provo regional/commuter rail system and update signaling systems.

InvadingInvader Wikimedia Commons

Transit Briefs: BART/SFMTA, WMATA, UTA, HART

California’s state budget will include a $1.1 billion bailout for Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART), the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency (SFMTA), and Bay Area transit agencies. Also, service improvements on the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority’s (WMATA) Red Line begins with more service and fare improvements coming this month; the Utah Transit Authority (UTA) announces Rider’s License for young passengers; and the Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation (HART) delivers Segment 1 of the Honolulu Rail Project to the City and County of Honolulu Department of Transportation Services (DTS).

“We’re proud to support construction technology that helps communities build transit projects more quickly,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg.

FTA: More Than $700MM to Replace Aging Passenger Railcars in Six States

The U.S. Department of Transportation’s federal Transit Administration (FTA) on May 5 announced the selection of six projects in six states to replace aging passenger railcars, “improving reliability, safety, and accessibility on the nation’s rail transit systems.”

UTA is celebrating the 15th anniversary of FrontRunner.

Transit Briefs: APTA, UTA, CTA, Amtrak

The American Public Transportation Association (APTA) releases six workforce development mini guides for public transportation leaders. Also, the Utah Transit Authority (UTA) celebrates the 15th anniversary of FrontRunner; the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) expands its monthly scorecard data to include added workforce metrics; and Amtrak’s Berkshire Flyer seasonal train service between New York City and Pittsfield, Mass., will return this summer.

Transit Briefs: LIRR, UTA, MBTA

The New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) announces additional enhanced service, effective March 13. Also, the Utah Transit Authority (UTA) offers mobile ticketing in its official Transit app; and the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA), after being hit with six safety violations following an inspection of the Red Line, implements new speed restrictions.

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.

New York MTA Chair and CEO Janno Lieber, NYCT President Richard Davey and MTA acting Chief Customer Officer Shanifah Rieara recognized Bronx resident Sasha Salazar as the one-billionth subway rider of 2022 on Dec. 27. (Marc A. Hermann / MTA)

Transit Briefs: NYCT, UTA

MTA New York City Transit’s (NYCT) subway service surpasses one billion riders in 2022. Also, the Utah Transit Authority (UTA) Board of Trustees approves the 2030 Strategic Plan.

John Rohner (left), Newel Jensen (middle) and Kitty Barkley (right) have joined WSP USA Southwest Mountain District's senior leadership team.

People News: WSP USA, HNTB, Integrated Rail and Resources Acquisition Corp.

WSP USA announces new arrivals to the Southwest Mountain District’s senior leadership team, including John Rohner, Newel Jensen and Kitty Barkley. Also, Diana Timpson joins HNTB as Senior Project Manager of Rail Transit in the firm’s Seattle office; and Integrated Rail and Resources Acquisition Corp. (IRRX) announces the appointment of Jason Reeves and Rear Admiral Ronald “Curt” Copley as new Independent Directors to the company’s Board of Directors.

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