Washington Metro

Parsons has landed a five-year contract, with two potential one-year extensions, to support Sound Transit’s $60 billion capital program. (Courtesy of Sound Transit)

Transit Briefs: Sound Transit, WMATA, NYMTA

Parsons Corporation (Parsons) secures a position on Sound Transit of Seattle’s 2025 Multiple Award Task Order Contract (MATOC). Also, Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) is rolling out a holiday-themed vehicle fleet; and New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority’s (MTA) subway sets a post-pandemic ridership record, and its commuter railroads install new TVMs (ticket vending machines).

NC By Train in October experienced its highest ridership month in 35 years of service. The state-supported Amtrak intercity passenger rail service carried 74,400 riders, nearly 10% more than in October 2024. (Courtesy of NCDOT)

Transit Briefs: NC by Train, WMATA/COG, MBTA, Rail Runner Express

NC By Train—North Carolina-supported Amtrak service—celebrates the highest ridership month in its 35-year history. Also, the boards of Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) and Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments (COG) endorse a plan to modernize Metro rail and bus service and strengthen regional transit coordination; Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) will soon debut Commuter Rail fare gates at Boston’s South Station; and security cameras will be installed on New Mexico’s Rail Runner Express trains.

WMATA Proposes ‘Severe Cuts’ in FY2025 Budget (UPDATED, 2/2)

The Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) has released its proposed operating and capital budget for fiscal year 2025 (FY2025), which calls for “severe cuts” to address the agency’s $750 structural funding shortfall—a deficit equal to more than 25% of the operating budget—despite “proactive management actions” taken by WMATA to control expenses.

WMATA imposes 29-hour Metrorail safety shutdown

A major electrical cable fire in a tunnel just outside the Washington Metro McPherson Square station early Monday, March 14, 2016 has led to the entire Metrorail system shutting down for a 29-hour period beginning March 16 at 12:00 a.m. for emergency safety inspections of third-rail power cables.

D.C. envisions K Street streetcar line

Washington, D.C.’s District Department of Transportation (DDOT) on Tuesday, Oct. 29, 2013 released its recommended preference for a streetcar line linking Union Station with the tony Georgetown neighborhood, primarily along K Street.