SFMTA is establishing a working group “focused on ways to fund and cut spending at the financially strapped Municipal Transportation Agency” (Muni), San Francisco's network of bus, light rail, streetcar and cable car services, according to SFBay.ca. (SFMTA Photograph)

Transit Briefs: SFMTA, VIA Rail, Brightline, MARTA, HART

San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency (SFMTA) is forming a working group to address projected deficits for Municipal Railway (Muni). Also, Transport Canada is requiring VIA Rail to update its emergency management action plan after riders were stranded on an intercity passenger train; Brightline, Florida’s private-sector passenger railroad, now allows travel agents and others to book its rail service with flights; Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority’s (MARTA) Atlanta headquarters earns Energy Star Certification by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA); and Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation’s (HART) CEO receives a new multi-year contract.

The Canadian government has already invested more than $C 3bn over the last five years in fleet modernization. (Stephen Host Photograph)

VIA Rail Plots a Path for Transformation

Canada’s passenger operator Via Rail launched a strategic plan earlier this summer. Mark Simmons, Deputy Editor of IRJ, a Railway Age sister publication, talks exclusively to president and CEO Mario Péloquin about his ambitions to transform the company’s operations.

Transit Briefs: LA Metro, SEPTA, PRT, ITC Project, VIA Rail

LA Metro’s ridership continues its upward trend in June. Also, Express Mode on iPhone and Apple Watch is coming to the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA); Pittsburgh Regional Transit (PRT) will offer employers and other groups bulk transit passes at a reduced cost; Elevate Inglewood Partners (EIP) is selected as the Best Value Proposer for the Inglewood Transit Connector (ITC) project; and VIA Rail Canada (VIA Rail) collaborates with Hack Club for a cross-country train adventure.

“Earlier today, at our Moncton station, Minister @PabloRodriguez, joined by Minister @GinettePT and MP @JenicaAtwin, announced significant federal government funding for the replacement our long-distance, regional and remote trains,” VIA Rail Canada reported July 11 on social media platform X (formerly Twitter). (VIA Rail Photograph)

Confirmed: VIA Rail Fleet Replacement for Outside Québec City-Windsor Corridor

VIA Rail Canada will “soon” launch the procurement process to replace its aging fleet on routes outside the Québec City-Windsor Corridor, the passenger rail company reported July 11, following the Canadian government’s

(Image Courtesy of VIA Rail Canada)

VIA Rail Unveils 2030 Strategic Plan

VIA Rail Canada (VIA Rail) on May 23 released a new five-year strategic plan, which Canada’s national rail passenger service described as the blueprint for its “next chapter.”

Illinois State Sen. Ram Villivalam (D-Chicago) and Rep. Eva-Dina Delgado (D-Chicago) have introduced the Metropolitan Mobility Authority Act that proposes combining RTA, CTA, Metra and Pace into a new Chicagoland entity and providing it with an annual boost of $1.5 billion, according to a WGN9 report on April 29. (CTA Photograph Courtesy of FTA)

Transit Briefs: CTA/Metra/Pace/RTA, VIA Rail, WMATA

Two Illinois state legislators propose merging the Regional Transit Authority (RTA), Chicago Transit Authority (CTA), Metra commuter rail and Pace suburban bus in Chicago. Also, VIA Rail Canada Inc. (VIA Rail) adds service between Ottawa and Toronto; and Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) improves faregate display-screen messaging.

Premier of Alberta Danielle Smith announces the government's master plan aimed at increasing passenger rail service in the province. (Screenshot Courtesy of the Alberta government via YouTube)

Alberta Announces Master Plan Aimed at Increasing Passenger Rail Service

The Alberta government on April 29 announced a master plan aimed at increasing passenger rail service in the province.

BART’s overall customer satisfaction rating in the most recent Passenger Experience Survey (PES) reached 81%, which is 7% higher than the previous quarter, according to the transit agency. (BART Photograph)

Transit Briefs: BART, Metro-North, VIA Rail, WMATA

San Francisco Bay Area Rapid Transit District (BART) reports rider satisfaction gains. Also, MTA Metro-North Railroad completes its third station-accessibility project in 2024; VIA Rail Canada calls on Ottawa to replace its long-distance fleet; and Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) increases police patrols on trains and buses.

Commentary

VIA Rail Adventures: Atlantic Canada’s Only Passenger Train

Sixth and final of a series: During August and early September of 2023, I spent much of a five-week period on VIA Rail, riding that railroad’s obscure “Adventure” routes. I had made

Commentary

VIA Rail Adventures: Two Routes in Quebec

Fifth in a Series: In the first four articles in this series, as well as in a separate article that focused on rail transit and tourist railroads in Canada, I described my

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