Transit Briefs: WMATA, San Diego MTS/NCTD, PennDOT

The Washington Metrorail Safety Commission (WMSC) has audited Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority’s fitness for duty practices, finding 11 areas where improvement is needed. In addition, San Diego Metropolitan Transit System (MTS) and North County Transit District (NCTD) have officially launched the region’s new PRONTO fare collection system, and the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) is calling on students to participate in its fifth-annual Innovations Challenge.

Transit Briefs: Metrolinx, Caltrain, WMATA

Metrolinx has taken delivery of the last of 36 GO Transit bilevel commuter cars, which were ordered in September 2019. In addition, Caltrain service will surpass pre-pandemic levels starting Aug. 30, and Washington Area Metropolitan Transit Authority (WMATA) is adding more trains and buses and extending operating hours beginning Sept. 5.

Transit Briefs: Denver RTD; Sound Transit; WMATA; WSP-USA

Denver Regional Transit District’s (RTD) Board of Directors has adopted a new five-year strategic plan. In addition, Sound Transit is teaming with the city of Seattle to address homelessness; Washington Area Metropolitan Transit Authority (WMATA) will redevelop the West Falls Church (Va.) Metro Station site; and WSP USA’s Tanya Adams and Ruben Landa have been elected to the Conference of Minority Transportation Officials’ (COMTO) National Board for the 2021-23 term.

Transit Briefs: NJ Transit, TransLink, WMATA

New Jersey Transit (NJ Transit) is advancing its Transit Oriented Development (TOD) project at Metropark Station in Woodbridge; TransLink, Vancouver, will begin upgrading the Burrard SkyTrain Station on the Expo Line in early 2022; and Washington Area Metropolitan Transit Authority (WMATA) will expand rail service to midnight, seven days per week, starting July 18.

Transit Briefs: CTA, Infrastructure Canada, LOSSAN Rail Corridor Agency, WMATA, ICM Mobility Group

The Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) has unveiled its updated “Pride Train”; Infrastructure Canada has announced the recipients of its Knowledge Synthesis Grants on mobility and public transit; Los Angeles-San Diego-San Luis Obispo (LOSSAN) Rail Corridor Agency has received American Public Transportation Association (APTA) awards for best marketing and communications on COVID-19; Washington Area Metropolitan Transit Authority (WMATA) has launched SmarTrip for Android™ in Google Pay; and ICM Mobility Group has acquired mobile ticketing and payment specialist Unwire.

Sustainability Roundup: Wabtec, WMATA

Wabtec has published a Green Finance Framework, as part of its sustainability strategy; Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) has released Climate Bonds Certified green bonds, as part of its “commitment to delivering sustainable, cost-effective transportation service to the Washington [D.C.] Metropolitan Region.”

Amtrak Tabs Mason to Lead Major Program Delivery

Amtrak has appointed Laura Mason as Executive Vice President of Major Program Delivery, a new organization responsible for the largest infrastructure, fleet and station projects.

Report: WMATA 6000-Series Cars Sidelined ‘Indefinitely’

The Washington Metropolitan Transit Authority’s (WMATA) fleet of 6000-series rapid transit cars remains out of service, following two train-separation incidents on the Red Line in 2020, according to the Washington Post.

More ATC Safety Work Ahead for WMATA, Audit Finds

The Washington Metrorail Safety Commission (WMSC) has released an audit report of Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority’s (WMATA) Automatic Train Control (ATC) and signaling system inspection, maintenance, engineering and training practices that identifies “several positive practices and a number of areas that require improvement.”

Fernandez Nominated for FTA Administrator (Updated)

President Joe Biden has officially sent to the U.S. Senate his nomination of Nuria I. Fernandez for Administrator of the Federal Transit Administration (FTA); the move would elevate her from Acting Administrator.

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