VPRA

Amtrak has completed accessibility upgrades worth $20.8 million at its Bay Area, Calif., stations, in partnership with the cities of Martinez, Hayward, Fremont and Oakland. (Amtrak Photograph)

Transit Briefs: Amtrak, VPRA, MoDOT

Amtrak debuts accessibility improvements at its four Bay Area, Calif., stations. Also, Virginia Passenger Rail Authority (VPRA) and Norfolk Southern (NS) discuss a new rail agreement; and the Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT) advances the proposed St. Joseph-to-Kansas City passenger rail project.

Transit Briefs: Tri-Rail, CTA, Amtrak Virginia

Tri-Rail introduces new express train service. Also, the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) announces “Refresh & Renew” work across the system and celebrates diversity and inclusiveness with the return of its Pride Train; and Amtrak Virginia rolls into summer with record ridership.

DRPT photo

Virginia DRPT Releases Draft Six-Year Improvement Program

The Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation (DRPT) has released its draft Fiscal Year (FY) 2025-2030 Six-Year Improvement Program (SYIP), which allocates nearly $6.2 billion for public transportation and freight and passenger rail over the next six fiscal years.

“Amtrak is working on two overarching objectives in 2024—improving passenger train service for our customers efficiently and effectively and carrying out a massive major infrastructure capital program aimed to modernize and upgrade our infrastructure, stations, fleet and technology,” Amtrak President Roger Harris said on Jan. 31. “As both a passenger rail service provider and a major construction company, we are quickly growing and evolving to deliver on both.”

Transit Briefs: Amtrak, VPRA, WMATA

Amtrak will advance several initiatives this year as part of its goal to double annual ridership to 66 million by Fiscal Year 2040. Also, Virginia Passenger Rail Authority (VPRA) details three proposed Christiansburg-area station alternatives, as part of the Amtrak New River Valley Project; and the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) Office of Inspector General introduces a Whistleblower Award Program.

VPRA Awarded $729MM for TRV Initiative Projects

The Virginia Passenger Rail Authority (VPRA) has been awarded a grant totaling $729 million from the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) via the Federal-State Partnership for Intercity Passenger Rail Program (FSP-National). This will allow the VPRA

Virginia DPRT Executive Director Jennifer DeBruhl will retire at the end of June.
  • News

DeBruhl to Retire as DRPT Executive Director

Virginia’s Department of Rail and Public Transportation (DRPT) Executive Director Jennifer DeBruhl will retire at the end of June, according to a Richmond Times-Dispatch report.

Transit Briefs: LA Metro, RTD, VPRA/Amtrak, TTC, APTA

LA Metro continues to increase ridership with weekend riders driving growth. Also, the Regional Transportation District (RTD) Board of Directors approves new fare structure and equity analysis; ridership on the Virginia Passenger Rail Authority’s (VPRA) Amtrak Virginia service reaches all-time high; an early decommission of Toronto Transit Commission’s (TTC) Scarborough Rapid Transit (SRT) line is possible following derailment; and the American Public Transportation Association (APTA) recognizes HDR with 2023 Sustainability Commitment Award.

New York MTA and union officials are testing “no standing” zones at Harlem’s 125th Street and Lexington Avenue subway station to help prevent rider assaults on conductors. (Screen Grab From Spectrum News NY1 Video)

Transit Briefs: NYMTA, Sound Transit, VPRA, WMATA

New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) is testing “no standing” zones on New York City Transit (NYCT) subway platforms to help eliminate rider assaults on conductors. Also, Seattle’s Sound Transit is beginning simulated service on the Hilltop Tacoma Link Extension; Jacobs will deliver general engineering consulting services for passenger rail under the Transforming Rail in Virginia infrastructure program; and Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) mulls expansion options.