Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority

The $135 million East-West Rail project in Massachusetts may include Palmer as a stop on the line linking Pittsfield and Boston. Springfield and Worcester are already stops on the planned line. (MassDOT image)

Transit Briefs: East-West Rail, MBTA, NYMTA, SCVTA, TransLink

Will the city Palmer be included in the Massachusetts’ East-West Rail project? Also, Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) completes an expedited track work project on the Red Line and removes nine speed restrictions; New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) upgrades cellular connectivity for MTA Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) riders and wraps up an subway station accessibility project in Brooklyn; Santa Clara Valley (Calif.) Transportation Authority (SCVTA) improves wayfinding for light rail riders; and metro Vancouver’s TransLink certifies 28 “transit-friendly” employers.

TCMC Stations(Heather Poltrock

Transit Briefs: Sound Transit, Amtrak, SCVTA

Sound Transit moves forward on the purchase of 10 more Link cars. Also, Amtrak service from St. Paul, Minn., to Chicago, Ill., reaches the final design phase; and Sant Clara Valley Transportation Authority (SCVTA) vehicles are taking the place of Reading, Pennsylvania, B&O and Short Line on the new Monopoly San Jose Edition.

Amtrak and Vornado Realty Trust on Nov. 19 marked the completion of the 7th Avenue and 32nd Street entrance project at New York Penn Station. The station’s busiest entrance has been fully rebuilt, with its width expanded by 50%. (Photo Credit: Fernando Sandoval/MW)

Transit Briefs: Amtrak, Metra, NCDOT, SCVTA, Sound Transit

Amtrak and Vornado Realty Trust transform the 7th Avenue and 32nd Street entrance of New York Penn Station. Also, Chicago’s Metra commuter railroad debuts its holiday trains; North Carolina’s Carolinian and Piedmont intercity passenger rail services experience record-breaking ridership; a new site designation will promote Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority’s (SCVTA) transit-oriented communities; and Seattle’s Sound Transit is testing an accessibility app to improve wayfinding for riders with vision disabilities.

Caltrain expects to roll out electrified commuter rail service, including faster trains, less wait time at stations and a simplified schedule, starting September 2024. (Caltrain Photograph)

Transit Briefs: Caltrain, Metrolink, Metrolinx, SCVTA

Caltrain releases a proposed service plan for its September 2024 Electrification Project rollout. Also, southern California’s Metrolink commuter rail service is launching a fare-free pilot program for students; Metrolinx provides a behind-the-scenes look at one of the most unique stations along Toronto’s Eglinton Crosstown LRT; and inflation and other factors boost the price tag of Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority’s (SCVTA) BART Silicon Valley Phase II Extension Project.

Paul J. Ballard has been named interim Executive Director at NCTD.

Transit Briefs: NCTD, RTC Southern Nevada, Santa Clara VTA, Sound Transit

California’s North County Transit District (NCTD) appoints an interim Executive Director. Also, the Regional Transportation Commission (RTC) of Southern Nevada considers light rail in Las Vegas; Santa Clara Valley (Calif.) Transportation Authority (VTA) reports a double-digit increase in light rail and bus ridership from 2022 to 2023; and Sound Transit light rail in Seattle sets ridership records.

The initial operating segment of Skyline—the Honolulu (Hawaii) Rail Project—comprises 10.75 miles of guideway and nine stations from East Kapolei to Hālawa Aloha Stadium. It opens June 30. (Pictured: Hālawa Aloha Stadium Skyline Station, Courtesy of City and County of Honolulu DTS.)

Transit Briefs: Honolulu DTS, NJ Transit, SCVTA, TransLink

The City and County of Honolulu Department of Transportation Services (DTS) reveals the official name of its soon-to-open rail system. Also, New Jersey Transit selects a commissioning agent for its Distributed Generation Program; Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (SCVTA) develops a resource program to support small businesses during BART Silicon Valley Phase II Extension Project construction; and metro Vancouver’s TransLink adds another trainset, including a newly refurbished locomotive, to West Coast Express commuter rail service.

An 18-month pilot could launch in summer 2024 “with the intention of eventually making free and reduced transfers a permanent policy across the Bay Area,” according to a Bay City News Foundation report.

Transit Briefs: BART, LACMTA, Metra

San Francisco Bay Area public transit officials consider a “free transfer” pilot. Also, the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority’s (LACMTA) drug-free campaign on three light rail lines is showing promise; and Union Pacific (UP) is transferring its Chicago commuter rail services to Metra.

Alstom's Coradia iLint hydrogen-powered train will carry passengers on Quebec's Réseau Charlevoix rail network this summer.

Transit Briefs: Alstom, VTA, PRT, MaineDOT

Alstom’s first hydrogen-powered passenger train will demonstrate green traction in Quebec. Also, the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) wins first place in the American Public Transportation Association’s (APTA) 2023 AdWheel Awards for communications and marketing; Pittsburgh Regional Transit (PRT) is offering bulk transit passes in pilot program; and the Maine Department of Transportation (MaineDOT) proposes $3 million for a pilot project for passenger rail service between Rockland and Brunswick.

CalSTA awarded Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) $375 million for the six-mile, four-station BART Silicon Valley Phase II Extension Project that will bring BART service to downtown San Jose and Santa Clara. Project completion is scheduled for 2033.

CalSTA Awards $2.5B for Rail Transit Projects

San Francisco Bay Area Rapid Transit District (BART) and Peninsula Corridor Joint Powers Board (Caltrain) are among the 14 California agencies that will share $2.515 billion in TIRCP (Transit and Intercity Rail Capital Program) grants from CalSTA (California State Transportation Agency) for rail-related projects.

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