First Look: Valley Metro’s Newest Siemens LRVs
On Jan. 10, three S700 light rail vehicles from Siemens Mobility entered revenue service on Phoenix Valley Metro’s 28-mile line between northwest Phoenix, Tempe and Mesa, Ariz.
Valley Metro
Valley Metro Earns FFGA for Light Rail Extension
Officials from the U.S. Department of Transportation; Phoenix, Ariz.; and Valley Metro celebrated the signing of a $158.1 million Full Funding Grant Agreement for the Northwest Extension Phase II Light Rail Project on Nov. 19.
Transit Briefs: CTA; DART; Valley Metro
The Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) has received an architectural award for its Garfield Green Line station renovation project. In addition, Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) now accepts contactless payment on all light rail, bus and Dallas Streetcar vehicles; and Phoenix Valley Metro’s Small Business Financial Assistance Program pilot has distributed more than $250,000 since its spring launch.
Valley Metro CEO Stepping Down in 2022
Scott Smith will retire as CEO of Phoenix’s Valley Metro in 2022.
Will Amtrak Service Link Tucson and Phoenix?
Eleven Arizona mayors—led by Tucson Mayor Regina Romero and Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego—have released a joint letter to the state’s congressional delegation supporting Amtrak’s vision to bring passenger rail service to the Tucson-Phoenix corridor.
HDR Taps Wulf Grote for Transit Advisory Role
Wulf Grote is joining HDR as Senior Transit Engineering Advisor, based in Denver, Colo.
Transit Briefs: Metra, Metrolink, Valley Metro, Sound Transit, TTC
Chicago’s Metra is offering an onboard rider satisfaction survey; Southern California Regional Rail Authority (Metrolink) has launched a Small Business Partnership Program (SBPP); Phoenix’s Valley Metro has introduced a real-time light rail and bus tracking and trip planning app; Sound Transit has debuted a Northgate Link website ahead of the 4.3-mile light rail extension’s Oct. 2 opening; and Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) has opened a new Fare Inspector and Special Constable Complaints (FISCC) Office.
USDOT: $250MM to Advance Transit Projects
The U.S. Department of Transportation reported on June 11 that 22 transit projects in the Capital Investment Grants (CIG) program will receive a total of $250 million in American Rescue Plan funding allocations; four are rail-related and will receive a total of $64.9 million.
Supply Side: HDR, L.B. Foster
HDR advisors have helped three transit agencies secure a total of $1.23 billion for four projects under the Federal Transit Administration’s Capital Investment Grant program; L.B. Foster Co. has hired a new Senior Vice President and CFO.
FTA Signs FFGAs for NICTD, Phoenix Metro Projects
The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) has signed Full Funding Grant Agreements (FFGAs) for Northern Indiana Commuter Transportation District’s (NICTD) Double Track Northwest Indiana Project and for Valley Metro’s South Central Light Rail Extension/Downtown Hub Project in Phoenix.