Transit Briefs: SEPTA, Tri-Rail, NYMTA/Metro-North, WMSC/WMATA, LA Metro

The Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) launches contactless payment on Regional Rail. Also, Tri-Rail ridership continues to show signs of growth in 2025; the New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) launches an initiative to protect the Metro-North Hudson Line against effects of climate change; the Washington Metrorail Safety Commission (WMSC) threatens not to approve the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority’s (WMATA) plan to expand automation; and new faregates are off to a strong start at LA Metro’s Lake and Firestone stations.

Transit Briefs: WMATA, VPRA, UTA, Santa Clara VTA, Sound Transit

The Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) implements a policy to ban violent and sexual offenders beginning June 2. Also, a new Passenger Information Display System (PIDS) improves the customer experience at the Virginia Passenger Rail Authority’s (VPRA) Amtrak Main Street Station in Richmond; the Utah Transit Authority (UTA) opens a new station on the TRAX Red Line; Santa Clara Superior Court Judge Daniel Nishigaya orders striking Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) employees back to work; and Dow Constantine is hired as Sound Transit’s next CEO.

Duffy Urges D.C. Leaders to Improve Transportation Safety

U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy on March 6 took action to urge Washington, D.C., leaders to improve the safety and security of the city’s transportation systems. In a series of letters,

VIA Rail on March 28 launched an RFQ, seeking a co-development partner for its Dorval Hub Project. (VIA Rail Photograph)

Transit Briefs: VIA Rail Canada, Sound Transit, WMATA

VIA Rail, Canada’s national passenger rail service, launches a request for qualifications (RFQ) for its Dorval Hub Project. Also, construction for a transit-oriented development (TOD) project begins on land contributed by Seattle’s Sound Transit and the City of Bellevue, Wash.; and Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) celebrates “cherry blossom season” with special train and bus wraps.

(Image Courtesy of WMATA)

WMATA Revises FY26 Budget Proposal, FY27 Forecast

Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) on Feb. 27 issued a revised Fiscal Year 2026 (FY26) proposed budget, which it said reflects “a positive trend in ridership and revenue.” FY26 starts July 1, 2025.

Transit Briefs: CTA, NJ Transit, WMATA, LIRR

The Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) advances pilot automatic detection system on right-of-way (ROW). Also, NJ Transit is named one of America’s best large employers by Forbes; navigation app Waymap is now live across the entire Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority’s (WMATA) transit system; and the MTA Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) invests $150 million to connect Ronkonkoma Station with the proposed North Terminal at MacArthur Airport.

WMATA Releases Mid-Year Financial Update; Continues to Focus on Safety Initiatives

The Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority’s (WMATA) Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer Yetunde Olumide on Feb. 3 presented the latest mid-year financial update to the board, highlighting trends that keep the agency in good financial standing.

(Courtesy of WMSC)

WMSC Issues Audit of Metrorail’s Emergency Management and Life Safety Programs

While Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority’s (WMATA) Metrorail has made “systematic improvements” in its Emergency Management and Life Safety programs, there are “critical areas” where the rapid transit system “is not following its procedures and requirements, is not addressing equipment issues, and is not properly identifying and inspecting its life safety equipment,” according to a Washington Metrorail Safety Commission (WMSC) audit released Jan. 29.

Transit Briefs: WMATA, BART, MDOT, RTA

The Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) releases its second annual personalized ridership report for 2024. Also, Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) train screens now show major transit connections; the Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT) releases its $21.2 billion Final Consolidated Transportation Program (CTP) for Fiscal Years 2025-2030; and the Regional Transportation Authority of Northeastern Illinois (RTA) releases a $1.5 billion vision aimed at “shaping the future of transit funding and governance ahead of the 2025 legislative session.”

WMATA 7000-Series Rapid Transit Cars. (Courtesy of Wikipedia)

Transit Briefs: Parsons/LINC Austin, WMATA

The Parsons and LINC Austin team is selected as Delivery Partner for the Austin Light Rail project. Also, construction work on the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority’s (WMATA) Blue, Orange, and Silver lines wraps up ahead of schedule and under budget.

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