The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) on July 1 announced that $1.94 million in competitive grant funding is now available to support research conducted by providers of public transportation under the Enhancing Mobility Innovation (EMI) program, which “supports research projects that will improve customer convenience, such as creating easier ways to pay for transit and enhancing transit schedules based on rider demand.”
Metra launches its long-awaited commuter rail station in Chicago’s Edgewater neighborhood. Also, New Jersey Transit (NJT) advances its Brick Church Station modernization and Brielle Drawbridge replacement projects.
At Seattle’s Sound Transit, testing is under way on the 8.5-mile Lynnwood Link Extension and a Final Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) has been released for the Operations and Maintenance Facility South project. Also, Santa Clara Vally Transportation Authority (VTA) breaks ground for the Eastridge to BART Regional Connector project.
Austin’s Project Connect enters the development phase. Also, debit card payments are now available on OC Transpo; Sound Transit’s Federal Way Link Extension (FWLE) project earns an Envision Platinum Sustainability Award; and the Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) receives regional funding to move transit-oriented development (TOD) projects forward.
The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) on May 28 reported that eight transit systems in eight states will share $343 million to make their rail stations “more accessible and in line with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) standards” by installing elevators, renovating platforms for level boarding, improving signage, and improving visual and audio systems.
The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) on May 23 reported that approximately $10.5 million in Fiscal Year 2024 competitive grant funds are available to support local planning and investment near transit hubs, with a focus on projects that plan for affordable housing.
The U.S. House of Representatives on May 21 passed H.R. 3317, the Rolling Stock Protection Act, “closing a loophole” allowing taxpayer dollars from being used to purchase railcars made by CRRC (China Railway Rolling Stock Corp.).
An audit of Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority’s (WMATA) maintenance and engineering practices related to its rapid transit cars and associated shop equipment was released by the Washington Metrorail Safety Commission (WMSC)
The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) has committed $3.38 billion to The Portal Project, bringing Caltrain commuter rail to San Francisco’s Salesforce Transit Center, the San Francisco Examiner reported May 11. The Transbay
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.
