VTA

Brightline President Patrick Goddard, Miami-Dade County (Fla.) Commissioner Sally Heyman and Aventura (Fla.) Mayor Enid Weisman hosted a “first look” at the near-complete Aventura station. (Photograph and Caption Courtesy of Brightline)

Transit Briefs: Amtrak, Brightline, VTA

The Southern Rail Commission and Transportation for America on Nov. 3 hosted a stakeholder meeting to discuss potential I-20 corridor passenger rail service. Also, Florida’s Brightline on Nov. 2 offered a “sneak peak” of its Adventura station, slated to open this year; and Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) has submitted a request to the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) to transition the BART Silicon Valley Phase II Extension project to the New Starts program.

BART Add Fare Machines inside stations, which also serve as parking payment machines, now accept credit and debit cards.

Transit Briefs: BART, Amtrak, SEPTA, HART, MTC, NJ Transit

Bay Area Rapid Transit’s (BART) Add Fare machines undergo major upgrades to improve customer experience. Also, Amtrak trains could be coming into the Miami Intermodal Center; the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) breaks ground on new accessibility project at Tasker-Morris Station; the Honolulu Authority for Rail Transportation (HART) and Hitachi Rail run small-scale exercise drills in partnership with the city’s first responders; the Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC) adopts a new Transit-Oriented Communities Policy to promote commercial development near transit stations; and NJ Transit rolls out two initiatives as part of its ongoing Safety Education Program.

The Trial Running testing phase is the final series of testing before Honolulu's rail system goes into operation.

Transit Briefs: HART, Metra, Oregon Metro, MBTA, Metrolinx, TTC, CTA, MDOT MTA, VTA-BART

The Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transit (HART) announces Trial Running testing phase for the first segment of Honolulu’s rail system. Also, Metra adds service on its Union Pacific Northwest (UP-NW) Line and capacity on Metra Electric for Bike the Drive; Oregon Metro seeks proposals for 2023 Regional Transportation Plan community partnerships; Gov. Charlie Baker says Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) Orange Line “on track” to finish on time; Metrolinx’s GO Train service to Niagara Falls continues year-round; The Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) increases service as more customers return to transit; Chicago Transit Authority’s (CTA) “Ask CTA” program to foster engagement with customers; The Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT) Maryland Transit Administration (MTA) brings real-time train arrival information to Light Rail; and innovative design suggestions surface for the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority’s (VTA) Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) Silicon Valley Extension Phase II project.

Transit Briefs: Metro-North, Santa Clara VTA, APTA/WSP USA

MTA Metro-North Railroad has expanded its rider seat availability tracker to Google Maps. In addition, Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority has scheduled pilot testing of autonomous vehicle (AV) shuttle routes in 2022 and 2023; and the American Public Transportation Association (APTA) has selected WSP USA’s Jannet Walker-Ford to serve on its Executive Committee.

Transit Briefs: SCVTA, MDOT MTA

California’s Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) on Aug. 29 resumed partial light rail service. In addition, the Maryland Department of Transportation Maryland Transit Administration (MDOT MTA) on Aug. 30 launched CharmFlex, a discounted three- and 10-day pass for flexible commuter travel.

Transit Briefs: Miami-Dade Metrorail; SCVTA; Denver RTD

Miami-Dade County (Fla.) Metrorail has put into service the last two Hitachi railcars from a 136-car order that was awarded in 2012. In addition, California’s Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) may resume light rail service as early as this week, and Denver Regional Transportation District (RTD) is moving forward with a northwest commuter rail study.

VTA Service Restoration Date Extended

California’s Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) has reported that restoration of light rail service will “likely start later than the end of July, as originally expected.”

Transit Briefs: Edmonton, LACMTA, San Diego MTS, Santa Clara VTA, TriMet

The Edmonton (Alberta) City Council approved municipal funding for the 2.8-mile (4.5-kilometer) Capital Line South LRT Extension. In addition, LACMTA finalized its 2021-24 Coordinated Public Transit-Human Services Transportation Plan; SANDAG and MTS unveiled the VA Medical Center Trolley Station; VTA is slated to receive $20 million from the state of California to help with recovery from the May 26 mass shooting; and TriMet was forced to suspend MAX service due to record-setting temperatures.

LOAD MORE