Purchasing new snow fighting equipment, creating dedicated snow response teams and centralizing passenger communications are among the actions being taken by Keolis Commuter Services and the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) to prepare the commuter rail system for winter in order to keep trains operating safely and to minimize impacts to passengers.
November 21 marks one year of active service for the automated Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) to OAK line between Oakland International Airport and Coliseum Station. Coincidentally, it is also expected to reach the one millionth passenger trip milestone at some point this weekend.
The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) presented its 2016 Final Proposed Budget and its 2016-19 Financial Plan, in which the agency says “a relentless emphasis on cutting costs will allow the MTA to invest $242 million in new service, maintenance and operations initiatives over the next four years, while limiting fare and toll increases to the rate of inflation.”
The Sound Transit CEO Search Committee has recommended Peter M. Rogoff, the federal government’s third-highest transportation official and former Federal Transit Administrator, as its top candidate to serve as Sound Transit’s new leader.
The CEO Search Committee of the Sound Transit Board has identified a candidate who it will interview in executive session on Nov. 18.
TriMet has selected Doug Kelsey as its chief operating officer, where he will lead the agency’s Transportation, Maintenance and Information Technology (IT) divisions, starting Nov. 30. He will also have a dotted-line responsibility for the Safety & Security Division.
He comes to TriMet from TransLink, where he served in many capacities, most recently as president and general manager of its subsidiary British Columbia Rapid Transit Company Ltd. Kelsey replaces Robert Nelson, TriMet’s interim deputy general manager who has served in a similar capacity as chief operating officer since July 2013 and plans to retire.
“Doug brings to TriMet more than 16 years experience in the transit industry and he is a welcome and valuable addition to our team,” said General Manager Neil McFarlane. “He will lead our continuing efforts to improve the reliability and quality of our bus and rail service, as well as oversee the expansion of our system to meet the growing demand for transit.”
Kelsey will also provide critical transportation and urban planning leadership and analysis and will have executive management responsibility for the deployment of capital projects once they become operational.
New York City Transit named Veronique Hakim as the eighth permanent president of the agency. Hakim is a career transportation professional who has returned to MTA after an earlier 23-year career at the agency.
Construction on Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority’s (SCVTA) Mountain View Double Track project is nearly complete.
SNC-Lavalin realigned its business processes, brands and market strategy to offer a larger portfolio of rail and transit expertise and provide an end-to-end client service offering.
The North Bayshore region in Mountain View, Calif., home to Google and Linkedin, will soon be the subject of a transit study in an effort to figure out how to move an increasing number of employees there in ways other than solo driving.
Gannett Fleming Transit & Rail Systems (GFT&RS) was awarded a contract from Metrolinx for its GO Transit rail network electrification project. The contract was awarded to Gannett Fleming Canada ULC, its Canadian subsidiary, to serve as the technical and program management consultant for the project.
Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA) recently signed a $198.5-million contract to overhaul and upgrade its tunnel ventilation system (TVS). This improvement project, which is slated to begin in early 2016, advances the agency’s ongoing commitment to safe and efficient transit operations.
The Regional Transportation District (RTD) in Denver, Colo., says it’s first in the nation to integrate Positive Train Control (PTC) technology in the actual construction of a rail system. The technology will be used on the new FasTracks commuter transit rail systems.
The tunnel boring machine known as “Brenda” bored through the wall of Sound Transit‘s future U District light-rail station, completing the third segment of the twin 3.5-mile tunnels that will serve light-rail trains from Northgate Mall to the University of Washington starting in 2021.
Caltrain has shortlisted three firms for the construction of the Peninsula Corridor Electrification Project; six firms were originally prequalified to submit proposals.
New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie tapped New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT) veteran Richard Hammer as the agency’s acting commissioner and will formally nominate him to succeed Jamie Fox.
Nearly 5.3 billion trips were taken on U.S. public transportation in the first six months of 2015, according to a report released by the American Public Transportation Association (APTA). This is a 0.9 percent decrease over the same period last year, representing 50 million fewer trips.
Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) has named Paul Wiedefeld general manager and chief executive officer. Wiedefeld will be formally appointed at WMATA’s next board of directors meeting November 19.
Crosslinx Transit Solutions has signed a $9.1-billion contract to complete the Metrolinx Eglinton Crosstown Light Rail Transit (Crosstown LRT) project, delivering the LRT by 2021.
Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) broke ground on ADA accessibility improvements at SEPTA’s 40th Street Market Frankford Line Station that includes the installation of two elevators to be constructed on the northwest and southeast corners of 40th and Market Streets. In addition to the two new elevators, the $7.4-million construction project includes four new head house entrances and overall station improvements.
