March 27, 2026 marks 50 years since WMATA (Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority) inaugurated the Washington Metro (Metro Rail) rapid transit system in the National Capital Region. The first passenger-carrying Metro Rail
Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) rolls out enhanced transit signal priority on Line 5 Eglinton and Line 6 Finch West, plus extends Finch West service hours. Also, Tri-County Metropolitan Transportation District of Oregon (TriMet) releases an updated package of service proposals and a proposed Fiscal Year (FY) 2027 budget; Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) submits a revised security enhancement plan to the Federal Transit Administration (FTA); and Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) launches a priority seating pilot program.
Los Angeles Metropolitan Transportation Authority (LACMTA) announces the launch date for the D (Purple) Line Extension Section 1. Also, Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) awards a lease contract for transit-oriented development near Regional Rail’s Ambler Station; Seattle’s Sound Transit adopts the 2026-2030 Sustainability Plan; and Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) is expanding its University Pass program.
Virginia and Maryland leaders endorse DMVMoves funding and recommendations for the future of Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) and area transit systems. Also, the Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) Board of Directors vote on a resolution that proposes a new governance and funding model; and Cochrane Mayor Morgan Nagel supports the recent Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between Canada’s Building Trades Unions, the Building Trades of Alberta and Friends of Calgary Airport-Banff Rail (CABR).
Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA/Metro) and Kawasaki Rail Car, Inc. (KRC) resolve their 7000-Series railcars disputes. Also, a new North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) study confirms that restoring Salisbury-to-Asheville passenger rail service would benefit the economy, job opportunities, and public transit in the area and the state; and the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) advances the Scranton-to-New York Penn Station Passenger Rail Corridor project.
A new quarterly report shows that crime on the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) continues to drop. Also, the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) receives the Transportation Security Administration’s (TSA) Gold Standard Award; and Alto launches public consultations for its high-speed rail network.
New Hitachi Rail metro cars enter revenue service for the Maryland Transit Administration’s (MTA) Baltimore Subway Link. Also, the New York Metropolitan Transportation Agency (MTA) celebrates a successful first anniversary of congestion pricing; the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) selects Atlantic Pacific Companies (A|P) for its Capital Heights project; Tri-Rail breaks its ridership record in 2025; and Otis completes a landmark installation at the Réseau Express Métropolitain (REM) light metro transit in Montréal.
Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) General Manager and CEO Randy Clarke on Dec. 11 presented to the WMATA Board of Directors the agency’s proposed budget for the next fiscal year, July 2027 to June 2027, which focuses on rail and bus improvements “to increase ridership and revenue without raising fares while continuing to identify cost saving opportunities.”
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).
The Washington Metrorail Safety Commission (WMSC) on Dec. 4 issued a Safety Audit of the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority’s (WMATA) communication systems performed through in-depth interviews, site visits, and document and data reviews conducted from March 2025 to June 2025.
