Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority

Transit Briefs: MBTA, OCTA

The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) completes critical track work on the Orange Line. Also, the Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA) seeks public input on its 2024 OC Transit Vision Master Plan.

ASLRRA SVP, Law and General Counsel Sarah Yurasko (pictured far left) has been sworn in as a member of the U.S. Supreme Court Bar; she is shown here at the Supreme Court with her sponsoring attorney Susan Warshaw Ebner of ASLRRA member Stinson (ASLRRA Photograph). MBTA Deputy Director of Administration Katie Kalugin (pictured far right) has earned the WTS 2024 Claire Barrett Member of the Year Award. (MBTA Customer and Employee Experience Department Photograph).
  • News

People News: ASLRRA, MBTA

Sarah Yurasko, Senior Vice President, Law and General Counsel for the American Short Line and Regional Railroad Association (ASLRRA), has been admitted to the Bar of the U.S. Supreme Court. Also, WTS International and its Boston Chapter have selected as member of the year Katie Kalugin, Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) Deputy Director of Administration.

Transit Briefs: MBTA, MDOT, Metrolinx, CTA, AtkinsRéalis/NYMTA

The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) releases a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) for the Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) site in Attleboro. Also, the Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT) announces a TOD vision for Baltimore’s Reisterstown Plaza Metro Station; the original price of the Ontario Line didn’t include all costs, according to Metrolinx CEO Phil Verster; the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) announces the name of the new Green Line Station, which is currently under construction; and AtkinsRéalis Group Inc. (AtkinsRéalis) will work with ECCO III Enterprises Inc. to design and build upgrades to the New York Metropolitan Authority’s (MTA) Broadway Junction Complex.

A new Amtrak station in Brattleboro, Vt., is being built to improve accessibility; it will have the state’s first-ever level boarding train platform. (Rendering Courtesy of Amtrak)

Transit Briefs: Amtrak, MBTA, Metrolinx, Chicago RTA, Sound Transit, SEPTA, TriMet

Amtrak breaks ground on new Brattleboro, Vt., station and platform upgrades. Also, Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) teams with Tufts University on a new university pass pilot; Metrolinx’s Eglinton Crosstown LRT in Toronto edges toward completion and Eglinton Crosstown West Extension marks a milestone; Chicago’s Regional Transportation Authority (RTA) advances the launch of an integrated day pass for Metra, CTA and Pace riders; Sound Transit riders in Seattle, Wash., can now add an ORCA fare card to their Google Wallet; and Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) and Tri-County Metropolitan Transportation District of Oregon (TriMet) increase rules’ enforcement.

Transit Briefs: SBCTA, Denver RTD, MBTA, LA Metro

The San Bernardino County Transportation Authority (SBCTA) welcomes North America’s first self-powered, zero-emission passenger train to Southern California. Also, Denver’s Regional Transportation District (RTD) launches a new program to provide face-to-face assistance to customers; the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) Board of Directors commits to funding a pilot program for electric trains; and LA Metro releases its Draft Environmental Impact Statement/Supplemental Environmental Impact Report (EIS/SEIR) for the Link Union Station Project (Link US).

Amtrak has released its 10th Sustainability Report, disclosing environmental, social, and governance (ESG) activities during FY 2023, from Oct. 1, 2022, through Sept. 30, 2023 (Photograph by Mike Armstrong for Amtrak)

Transit Briefs: Amtrak, MARTA, MBTA

Amtrak issues a Fiscal Year (FY) 2023 Sustainability Report, detailing its progress to Net-Zero greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 2045. Also, Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA) adopts FY 2025 operating and capital budgets; and Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) delays the launch of South Coast Rail.

MBTA Board Approves FY25-29 Capital Investment Plan

The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) Board of Directors on June 11 unanimously approved the Fiscal Years 2025-2029 Capital Investment Plan (FY25-29 MBTA CIP), which includes more than 650 unique capital projects to “modernize, expand and increase the safety and reliability” of the MBTA transit network with a programmed spend of $9.6 billion over the next five fiscal years, including $843 million in new funding.

Pictured, Left to Right: Richard Andreski and Sally Librera, Commuter Rail Coalition (Photographs Courtesy of CRC), and Patrick Preusser, Utah Transit Authority (UTA Photograph).

People News: CRC, UTA, MBTA

Richard Andreski and Sally Librera join the Commuter Rail Coalition (CRC) Board. Also, Utah Transit Authority (UTA) appoints Patrick Preusser as Chief Operating Officer; and Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority’s (MBTA) Desiree Patrice earns COMTO-Boston 2024 Women Making Transportation History Award.

Crichlow Appointed NYCT Interim President

New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) Chair and CEO Janno Lieber on May 29 appointed Demetrius Crichlow as Interim President of MTA New York City Transit (NYCT), effective June 14.

(FTA Image)

FTA Awards $343MM for Station Accessibility Projects

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.