Light Rail

The goal of removing from service WMATA’s aging 2000-series rapid transit cars is to leave “a more reliable fleet of newer vehicles” that will result in “fewer offloads and delays,” the agency reported May 9. (WMATA Photograph)

Transit Briefs: WMATA, SCVTA, Québec

Washington Metropolitan Area Transportation Authority (WMATA) is officially retiring its 1980s-era equipment from Italian firm Breda (now Hitachi Rail Italy). Also, the 2024 federal budget allocates $500 million to Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority’s (SCVTA) BART Silicon Valley Extension Project in California; a new public transit development agency is eyed for Québec; and more transit-oriented development (TOD) is planned for Montréal.

Transit Briefs: Metrolink, San Diego MTS

Metrolink proposes a new rail service from Moorpark to Goleta in Santa Barbara’s South County. Also, the San Diego Metropolitan Transit System (MTS) looks at adding a new “Copper Line” to its Trolley system.

Illinois State Sen. Ram Villivalam (D-Chicago) and Rep. Eva-Dina Delgado (D-Chicago) have introduced the Metropolitan Mobility Authority Act that seeks to combine RTA, CTA, Metra and Pace into a new Chicagoland entity and provide it with a $1.5 billion annual boost, according to a WGN9 report on April 29. (Metra Photograph)

Transit Briefs: Metra, NYMTA, City of West Palm Beach, MBTA

Chicago’s Metra speaks out on the Metropolitan Mobility Authority Act that proposes merging the commuter railroad, Chicago Transit Authority (CTA), Pace bus, and Regional Transit Authority (RTA). Also, New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) outlines its nearly $300 million in capital program savings; City of West Palm Beach, Fla., adopts a “Rail S.A.F.E.” policy, aiming for zero railway fatalities; and Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) weighs Haverhill station shutdown during bridge replacement project.

Alstom Canada Cited for Sustainability

Alstom Canada has received an AFNOR (Association Française de Certification) Groupe Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Confirmed Commitment Label in Canada for its alignment with the ISO 26000 international standard. The second-highest rating

Image Courtesy of STV

TriMet Taps STV to Lead Light Rail Systems Upgrades

STV announced May 6 that it has signed a contract with the Tri-County Metropolitan Transportation District of Oregon (TriMet) to spearhead the replacement of 12 traction power substations along the agency’s Metropolitan Area Express (MAX) Blue Line.

High-speed rail station design is moving forward in Central Valley, Calif.—with community engagement and input helping lead the design process. The CHSRA recently held four open houses, releasing station designs, including this one (pictured) in Fresno. (CHSRA Rendering)

Transit Briefs: CHSRA, Denver RTD

California High-Speed Rail Authority (CHSRA) releases new Central Valley station renderings. Also, Denver (Colo.) Regional Transportation District’s (RTD) Transit Watch app reaches 10-year anniversary.

(STM photo)

Transit Briefs: SFMTA, PANYNJ/PATH, STM, Amtrak

The San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency (SFMTA) approves its Fiscal Year (FY) 2025 and FY 2026 operating and capital budgets. Also, the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey’s (PANYNJ) new tap-to-pay fare payment system is now available at all PATH stations in New Jersey; the Société de transport de Montréal (STM) releases its 2023 Annual Report; and Amtrak issues two Requests for Information (RFIs) to support high-speed Wi-Fi connectivity along the Northeast Corridor (NEC).

Ed Boyle, Vice President Engineering, Norfolk Southern (NS Photograph)

Forward Focus

2024 READERS’ MOST INFLUENTIAL LEADERS, RAILWAY AGE MAY 2024 ISSUE: Railway Age’s 2024 subscriber-selected honorees all embody an entrepreneurial spirit anchored in a commitment to service, safety and sustainability.