Transit Briefs: CTA, Minn. Met Council, NJT, SEPTA, Metrolinx
Written by Marybeth Luczak, Executive Editor
High school students this summer will shadow CTA’s construction management team and document the 5.6-mile Red Line Extension project. (Project Rendering Courtesy of CTA)
This summer, Chicago will see CTA’s Red Line Extension project through the eyes of three high school students. Also, Minnesota’s Metropolitan (Met) Council and the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) prepare an environmental report for the Metro Blue Line extension project; New Jersey Transit (NJT) hosts a workshop on transportation and security planning ahead of large-scale events like the FIFA World Cup 2026; Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) in May exceeds 70% of pre-COVID ridership for the first time; and Ontario’s Metrolinx awards a rail program advisory contract to Jacobs.
CTA
This summer, three students in Corliss Early College STEM High School’s drone program will shadow Chicago Transit Authority’s (CTA) construction management team and document work for the 5.6-mile extension of the Red Line from 95th to 130th on the Far South Side of Chicago, CTA reported June 17. Corliss is located in the Pullman community, part of the footprint of the project, which includes four new stations and a new rail yard and related facilities near 120th and Cottage Grove.
Through CTA’s partnership with Chicago Public Schools (CPS) and the Red Line Extension project’s Construction Management contractor REDefine Southside Partners (RSP-JV), the students, who are licensed drone pilots, will help document the preparation of building the historic Red Line Extension, CTA reported. The students will have the opportunity to shadow and engage with project staff to expose them to different career options in the construction and professional service fields. From June 17 through July 26, they will learn about project plans and software used in the industry and gather drone footage of the “before” stage of the project, according to CTA, which said it hopes to continue the program with CPA each summer throughout the life of the project.
The Red Line Extension project is slated to provide a new, more direct connection to the city for Southsiders, as well as generate “long-lasting economic benefits for the Far South Side via small business and workforce/career opportunities,” CTA said. Construction is expected to start in late 2025 and be completed by the end of 2029. CTA reported that it anticipates awarding a design-build contract in 2024.
“I’m ecstatic to see these CPS students collaborate on a project that allows them to apply STEM and Drone lessons to such a meaningful Chicago project,” CPS CEO Pedro Martinez said. “They will learn so much as they contribute to a project that will serve their neighbors and future students for generations to come.”
“REDefine Southside Partners is excited to work with the Corliss High School drone pilots to both document this historic project and teach them about the possibilities of utilizing drones in the construction industry, as well as other career opportunities as construction managers,” said Justin Elliott, Deputy Manager of Construction Management for REDefine Southside Partners. “We appreciate the CTA, CPS, and Corliss High School leadership for this opportunity to work with these outstanding students.”
Separately, CTA hit an average weekday ridership of one million in May.
Minn. Met Council
Met Council and FTA have prepared a Supplemental Draft Environmental Impact Statement (SDEIS) for the Metro Blue Line Extension project that evaluates the potential social, economic, and environmental benefits and impacts that may occur because of the design, construction, and operation of the extension, and outlines the measures to avoid or reduce those impacts. The environmental review process is required by the National Environmental Policy Act and the Minnesota Environmental Policy Act.
The SDEIS comment period is open until Aug. 5, 2024. According to Met Council, all public comments received will inform the Supplemental Final Environmental Impact Statement, which will outline specific project commitments to address impacts. The Supplemental Final Environmental Impact Statement is expected to be published in mid-2025.
The Metro Blue Line Extension is proposed to operate on 13.4 miles of light rail track connecting downtown Minneapolis to the communities of North Minneapolis, Robbinsdale, Crystal, and Brooklyn Park (see map, left). The project would provide a one-seat ride from Brooklyn Park to MSP airport and Mall of America. Connecting with the existing Target Field Station, the Blue Line Extension and its 12 new stations would be part of an integrated system of transitways serving the region, including connections to the Metro Green Line, Northstar Commuter Rail line, bus rapid transit lines, existing bus service, and proposed future transitways.
Planning for the Blue Line Extension has spanned a 10-year period. The latest timeline for project work is shown above.
In other news, the Met Council earlier this year approved a labor agreement that boosts wages for Metro Transit workers.
NJT
NJT on June 17 hosted a workshop at Rutgers Newark for transit leaders and event-planning experts to share insights and best practices for planning and executing large-scale events—from crowd management, security, and mobility/transport management to integrated ticketing, travel information, and wayfinding. The workshop was held in partnership with the International Association of Public Transport (UITP) and Rutgers Center for Advanced Infrastructure and Transportation (CAIT); it was the first of a number of similar events to be scheduled in advance of NJT hosting the FIFA World Cup 2026 finals, along with seven additional matches at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.
According to NJT, the workshop participants included Sir Peter Hendy, who was Commissioner of Transport for London from 2006-15 and who led the successful operation of London’s transport for the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games; Felicia Alexander, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Transportation Policy at the U.S. Department of Transportation; and Lauren LaRusso, Co-Host City Manager and General Counsel of the New York New Jersey Host Committee for the FIFA World Cup 2026, which is responsible for delivering all aspects of the tournament with FIFA.
NJT, in recent years, “has seen great success in safely transporting sports fans and concertgoers to and from MetLife Stadium,” it said; this includes the stadium’s record-breaking attendance at last year’s Taylor Swift and Ed Sheeran concerts.
“This partnership with UITP and Rutgers CAIT allows us to take best practices from around the globe and incorporate them in our planning to make this the best World Cup ever,” NJT President and CEO Kevin S. Corbett said. “This workshop represents a key component of our broader strategy to ensure the best possible transit experience for all those attending the FIFA 2026 World Cup Finals, along with the seven additional matches at MetLife Stadium.”
“With the FIFA World Cup 2026 less than two years away, there is a concentrated focus on transportation, infrastructure and security efficiencies for the highly anticipated Final match,” said Lauren LaRusso and Bruce Revman, Co-Host City Managers of the FIFA World Cup 26 NYNJ Host Committee. “Working in tandem with NJT and leveraging the expertise of UITP and Rutgers CAIT, we’re committed to further enhancing our transportation system and making the FIFA World Cup 2026 a remarkable experience for all who visit.”
“Public transit is essential to make large events successful,” said Secretary General of UITP Mohamed Mezghani. “Major gatherings offer the opportunity to upgrade and extend transit systems which will not only benefit the visitors, but also exist as a legacy for the citizens. Workshops such as this are an opportunity to learn from cities that have hosted large events and allow for the sector to become more informed, to adopt best practices, and to implement these new learnings in their own companies to best prepare them for increased usage of their network. I’m pleased that our partnership with NJT and Rutgers CAIT continues to offer such rich resources.”
“A successful FIFA World Cup 2026 will require cross-agency collaboration to ensure transportation infrastructure is reliable [and] accessible, and accommodates the diverse needs of millions of fans worldwide,” Rutgers CAIT Director Dr. Ali Maher said. “This workshop is the first of many to bring stakeholders and experts together to share best practices. CAIT is proud to be at the table and leverage our resources to support this major undertaking.”
Separately, NJT, Rutgers CAIT and UITP last year signed an agreement to establish UITP’s first North American Regional Transit Center, which they said would “bring world-class transportation training to the region and the continent, helping to develop the next wave of leaders in the transit space.” NJT is also working with CAIT on research and development of an AI-powered technology solution.
SEPTA
SEPTA on June 17 reported that system-wide ridership in May 2024 was 71% of pre-COVID May 2019 ridership and that month experienced “both the highest recovery rate and average daily ridership since the start of the pandemic.” This was the first time the recovery rate exceeded 70%, according to the transit authority.
System-wide ridership was up 14% from May 2023. On average there were approximately 85,824 more trips per day in May 2024 compared with May 2023, SEPTA said. Average daily ridership was 717,630 unlinked passenger trips across all modes. The Bus, Trackless Trolley, and Regional Rail modes all experienced the highest total ridership numbers since the start of the pandemic, the authority noted. Bus and trackless trolley ridership increased 6% from May 2023 (371,424) to May 2024 (394,888).
According to SEPTA, recovery for bus is strongest on Sunday. For all days, recovery is strongest during the mid-day hours (9 a.m.-3 p.m.); during the 2 p.m. hour, ridership recovery stands at 78%. Ridership recovery is weaker during the late night and overnight hours, SEPTA reported.
Regional Rail ridership recovery is at 67% as of May 2024 when compared to pre-COVID May 2019. Total ridership increased 20% relative to May 2023 (an increase of 13,282 unlinked trips per day), according to SEPTA. Ridership peaks at 7 a.m. and 4 p.m., and the highest ridership day is Wednesday, the authority reported. Ridership on the Broad Street Line and Market-Frankford Line has increased 33% compared with May 2023. Subway/elevated ridership is at 63% of pre-pandemic levels; ridership peaks at 7 a.m. and 4 p.m., and the highest ridership day is Wednesday.
Trolley ridership is at 59% of pre-pandemic levels, with ridership highest during the mid-day period, SEPTA reported.
Separately, SEPTA’s iconic green and cream PCC Trolleys returned to service earlier this month on Route 15.
Metrolinx
Jacobs on June 17 reported securing the Strategic Advisory and Commercial Management Services Contract (SACMS) with the Capital Projects Group at Metrolinx, an agency of the Ontario, Canada government that works to improve the coordination and integration of all modes of transportation in the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area, including GO Transit. Jacobs has been a Metrolinx consultant since 2010, providing owner’s engineer and program management services for three new light rail transit lines and maintenance facilities.
“The five-year SACMS contract establishes a framework of vendor firms that Metrolinx will call upon for current and future work for a range of services critical to delivery as their capital projects develop,” Jacobs said. “Jacobs will leverage high-value consulting services to provide strategic advisory, commercial and claims management, project management and other delivery support.”
“As we continue our work with Metrolinx, we’ll integrate and leverage our local and international resources to meet their evolving needs,” said Jacobs Vice President and Program Director, Major Programs Neil Walker. “With our global program management experience including delivering U.K.’s Crossrail and Grand Central Madison in New York City, we’re well positioned to support Metrolinx transformative projects as they pioneer progressive contracting and delivery models and prepare for introducing reliable new rail services.”
Separately, Metrolinx recently reached a major vehicle testing milestone on the Finch West Light Rail Transit project.
