Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority

The joint venture of MBTA, Massachusetts Port Authority, and Massachusetts Department of Transportation is seeking a developer for a mixed-use transit-oriented development project at the Anderson Regional Transportation Center in Woburn. (BMRR, CC BY-SA 3.0 , via Wikimedia Commons)

Transit Briefs: MBTA, NJT, WMATA, BART, Amtrak, GCRTA

Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA), New Jersey Transit (NJT) and Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) advance transit-oriented development projects. Also, San Francisco Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) fares will increase Jan. 1 to keep pace with inflation and help pay for service; Amtrak resumes Lake Shore Limited service between Albany, N.Y., and Boston, Mass.; and Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority (GCRTA) is discontinuing Wi-Fi service on buses, trolleys and trains.

“In 2021, the MTA was looking at a $2.5 billion annual deficit, but we have been able to get back on track thanks to the amazing support from Albany,” MTA Chair and CEO Janno Lieber said Nov. 19 upon release of the agency’s final 2026 operating budget and four-year financial plan. “That support allowed us to stay afloat without cutting service, without any layoffs—and another major factor in this agency’s fiscal stability has been the cost savings that we’ve achieved in recent years.” (MTA Photograph)

Transit Briefs: NYMTA, KC Streetcar, NCTD, WMATA, DART

New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) releases its final 2026 operating budget and four-year financial plan. Also, KC Streetcar will soon reveal plans for the new northern terminus and CPKC (Canadian Pacific Kansas City) Pavilion; North County Transit–San Diego Railroad (NCTD) and Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) move forward on transit-oriented development projects; and the Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) Board approves contracts to improve security and cleanliness systemwide.

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 is honoring veterans with patriotic wraps for trains and buses, plus MetroAccess vans. (Rendering Courtesy of WMATA)

Transit Briefs: TTC, WMATA, TriMet, WVU

Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow launches an action plan to boost safety across the city’s transit system. Also, Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) honors veterans with patriotic trains and buses for Veterans Day; Kroll Bond Rating Agency affirms its highest rating for Tri-County Metropolitan Transportation District of Oregon’s (TriMet) payroll tax revenue bonds; and West Virginia University (WVU) celebrates five decades of PRT (Personal Rapid Transit) service.

Transit Briefs: NYMTA, BART, WMATA, STM

The New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) announces modifications to proposed fare changes. Also, Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) successfully completes the installation of its Next Generation Fare Gates at all stations months ahead of schedule; the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) delivers $120 million in savings and record ridership in FY2025; and Montrealers face transit disruptions as the Société de transport de Montréal (STM) and maintenance workers continue talks.

Transit Briefs: MDOT, BART, Denver RTD, Caltrain, LIRR

The Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT) releases its $21.5 billion draft six-year capital budget. Also, Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) unveils its Cab Cam series, showcasing the agency’s entire system in 4K; Denver Regional Transportation District’s (RTD) transit police uses virtual reality technology to build upon real world technical skills; Caltrain installs digital displays at South Santa Clara County stations; and Gatekeeper announces a C$27 million Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) transit video project with New York Metropolitan Authority’s (MTA) Long Island Rail Road (LIRR).

Transit Briefs: WMATA, BART, City of Honolulu DTS

The Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) unveils the winning design for the new 8000-series rail fleet. Also, violent and property crime plummet on Bay Area Rapid Transit’s (BART) system; and the City of Honolulu’s Department of Transportation Services (DTS) announces a newly redesigned app.

“Let your voice be heard: Vote on the exterior design for Metro’s new 8000-series rail fleet,” WMATA reported Aug. 18. One of the three design options is pictured above. The winning concept will be announced at the end of this month. (WMATA Image)

Transit Briefs: WMATA, TriMet, Denver RTD

Cast your vote for one of three exterior graphic designs for Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority’s (WMATA) new 8000-series Hitachi Rail cars. Also, Tri-County Metropolitan Transportation District of Oregon (TriMet) installs more than 700 digital displays networkwide for real-time train and bus alerts; and Denver (Colo.) Regional Transit District (RTD) boosts by 500% rail-system fare checks as part of its security plan.