Automatic Train Operation (ATO) Used On WMATA Red Line Cannot Be Expanded To Other WMATA Lines For Time Being (Updated and Corrected 4/18/25)

WASHINGTON, D.C. –– The Washington Metrorail Safety Commission has directed WMATA to not expand the use of Automatic Train Operation beyond the Red Line for the time being. OUR ORIGINAL STORY FROM EARLIER THIS WEEK HAD A COUPLE OF ERRORS AROUND REFERENCES TO AUTOMATIC TRAIN OPERATION AND AUTOMATIC TRAIN CONTROL. WE REGRET THE ERRORS AND APPRECIATE WMATA POINTING THEM OUT. THESE ERRORS HAVE BEEN CORRECTED AND THE STORY UPDATED. MOST READERS LIKELY KNOW THERE IS A DIFFERENCE BETWEEN AUTOMATIC TRAIN CONTROL AND AUTOMATIC TRAIN OPERATION. FOR A FULL DEFINITION OF EACH, READERS ARE REFERRED TO THE INTERTECH RAIL WEBSITE LISTED AT THE END OF THE STORY. DCL

Ontario Begins Construction Of Last Tunnel Segment Of The Eglinton Crosstown West Extension

TORONTO –– RT&S has reported on progress along the Eglinton Crosstown West Extension in Ontario for the past couple of years. This week, Ontario began construction of the last tunnel segment on this line.

RTD Updates Maintenance Timeline; Expects to Lift Restrictions Next Month

DENVER – RTD announces it has updated its maintenance timeline and expects to lift all current light rail speed restrictions next month.

UTA Celebrates South Jordan Downtown Station Opening

SOUTH JORDAN, Utah – Utah Transit Authority announces the South Jordan Downtown Station is now open on the TRAX Red Line.

Canadian government announces two major transit infrastructure projects in Quebec

Quebec City, Quebec — Last week, the Canadian Government announced an additional federal contribution of more than $1.1 billion to help complete the Quebec City tramway and Montréal Metro Blue line extension projects. These investments in critical infrastructure are essential to help build the strongest economy in the G7.

Pittsburgh Regional Transit Facing Financial Crisis

PITTSBURGH –– Pittsburgh Regional Transit reported this week that it is facing a major financial crisis unless more state funding is forthcoming.

U.S. DOT Tells Metropolitan Transit Authority That Funding May Be Withheld If Safety Reporting Project Is Not Completed

NEW YORK –– U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy penned a letter this week to New York’s M.T.A. requesting detailed information about crime on New York subways and said that federal funding for the agency would be withheld if it did not comply.

DART Removing Center Crosswalks From 7 LRT Stations

DALLAS – Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) will remove the center crosswalk at seven LRT station platforms in order to improve safety.

(East San Fernando Valley Light Rail Transit Rendering, Courtesy of LACMTA)

AECOM Selected To Advance Phase 2 Final Design of East San Fernando Valley LRT Project

LOS ANGELES – AECOM was selected to advance the final design of Phase 2 of the East San Fernando Valley Light Rail Transit Project.

PRT Reopens Downtown Light Rail After Plinth Refurbishment

PITTSBURGH – The Downtown light rail tunnels will reopen on Friday, February 28th after PRT announced it has completed its plinth refurbishment project.

NYMTA, Google Public Sector Announce Preventive Track Maintenance Pilot Program

NEW YORK CITY – The New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) on Feb. 27 announced a pilot program in partnership with Google Public Sector, “building on the success of its proven TrackInspect prototype, to proactively detect potential track defects before they escalate into operational issues that disrupt service to customers.”

Keolis Names Paul D’Alessio as Vice President and General Manager for Valley Metro Operations

BOSTON – Keolis North America (Keolis) [this week] announced that Paul D’Alessio has joined the company as vice president and general manager of Keolis’ Valley Metro operations in the East Valley (Tempe and Mesa).

SacRT Breaks Ground on Dos Rios Light Rail Station

SACRAMENTO – SacRT celebrated the groundbreaking of the future Dos Rios Light Rail Station on its Blue Line.

BART Celebrates Engineers Week; Recognizes Four Projects

SAN FRANCISCO – Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) celebrates Engineers Week by recognizing its 180+ engineers.

Bill Proposed To Stop Spending on BLE Until SWLRT Opens in 2027

MINNEAPOLIS – A bill has been proposed to halt spending on the Blue Line Extension until the Southwest LRT has opened for service.

Sound Transit Declares Emergency Due To Light Rail Issues

SEATTLE – Sound Transit CEO Goran Sparrman declared “the existence of an emergency” to seek a no-bid work order for HNTB to provide technical services.

VTA Announces 2025 Rehabilitation Continuance

SAN JOSE, Calif. – The Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) gave a progress update on the overhaul of its infrastructure.

ATP Releases Light Rail Plan Renderings

AUSTIN – Austin Transit Partnership (ATP) has released a draft of its light rail plan.

Egis Tapped as Independent Engineer for MTA’s Purple Line LRT

BETHESDA, Md. – Egis will serve as Independent Engineer for MTA’s Purple Line LRT in Maryland.

Sound Transit Closer to Completing Stations in Kent

SEATTLE – Sound Transit is getting closer to completing light rail stations in Kent and has begun testing and operations.

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