FTA says “significant work” remains to improve WMATA

Despite the Washington Metropolitan Area Transportation Authority’s (WMATA) recently announced safety enhancement initiatives, Federal Transit Administration (FTA) Executive Director Matthew Welbes is calling for more heavy lifting on the transportation authority’s end.

 

Chicago City Council approves TIF district to support CTA Red, Purple Line projects

The Chicago City Council has approved the use of a tax-increment financing (TIF) district to allocate funding needed for the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) Red and Purple Modernization Program (RPM).

 

WMATA maintenance practices questioned in NTSB Falls Church derailment report

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) issued its accident report on the July 2016 derailment of a Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) train traversing a crossover in the East Falls Church interlocking.

LACMTA Board certifies FEIR for LAX people mover

The Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (LACMTA) Board of Directors has voted to certify the Final Environmental Impact Report (FEIR) for its Airport Metro Connector 96th Street Station.

 

WMATA launches new reliability plan: Back2Good

The Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) rolled out a new initiative aimed at boosting service.

Chao Trump’s DOT Secretary choice

President-elect Donald Trump has named Elaine Chao as his choice for U.S. Transportation Secretary. Chao is a former Deputy Transportation Secretary and a former Labor Secretary, and wife of Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) since 1993.

CTA amends capital plan for Red Line investment; completes five Blue Line station renovations

The Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) has announced that its board approved an amendment to its Capital Improvement Plan for FY2016–FY2020 to include $75 million in funds for the transit authority’s Red Line Extension (RLE) project.

 

Phase One of Metro Vancouver transit plan approved

Phase One of the 10-Year Vision for Metro Vancouver Transit and Transportation has been approved and is set to roll out in January 2017.

 

Proposed Montréal REM project grows by three stations and CA$400M

The number of stations and the associated cost have grown for a proposed 41-mile light-rail system in Montréal, Québec.

Metro-North Railroad completes Fordham Station renewal

The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) Metro-North Railroad has completed restoration and upgrade work on its Fordham Station.

 

First rail delivered for RTD Southeast Rail Extension

The Regional Transportation District (RTD) of Denver, Colo., marked its first delivery of rail to be used in its Southeast Rail Extension.

New Westminster SkyTrain Station renovations complete

Canadian government and transportation officials gathered last week to celebrate the completion of updates to the New Westminster SkyTrain in New Westminster, British Columbia.

 

FRA proposes new safety standards for high-speed trains

The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) has proposed updates to current U.S. passenger train safety standards as the nation aims to add high-speed trains capable of traveling as fast as 220 mph and replace its older passenger fleet.

 

Caltrain starts pre-construction work for electrification project

Caltrain is gearing up to perform pre-construction work immediately that will continue through the end of February within the right-of-way as part of the Peninsula Corridor Electrification Project (PCEP).

 

WMATA won’t use 4000-series railcars in lead positions after safety concern identified

Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) General Manager and CEO Paul J. Wiedefeld has ordered the prompt removal from service of all 4000-series railcars from the lead position of trains following the identification of a possible safety issue.

 

CTA Board approves 2017 operating, capital budgets

The Chicago Transit Authority’s (CTA) Board has approved a $1.524 billion operating budget that maintains current fares and preserves bus and rail service levels.

 

OneRail report makes case for rail’s role in safe transportation network

A new report from the OneRail Coalition highlights the decline in rail accidents during the past decade and calls for more people and goods to travel by rail to continue the positive safety trend.

APTA calls for additional funds to help commuter railroads implement PTC

The American Public Transportation Association (APTA) is calling on Congress to appropriate funds toward the commuter rail industry’s positive train control (PTC) implementation initiatives in light of the progress the association says the industry has made in these efforts so far.

 

NTSB unveils two-year Most Wanted List

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) unveiled its 2017-2018 Most Wanted List, implementing a new two-year cycle as opposed to the annual one previously used.

PANYNJ proposes $6 billion operating and capital budget for 2017

The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey (PANYNJ) has proposed a $6 billion 2017 operating and capital budget.

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