WMATA to implement close call reporting

Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) is launching a Close Call Transit Safety Reporting System designed to enhance safety by increasing the opportunity for employee reporting of incidents or situations that have the potential for more serious consequences.

Metro-North accelerates trackwork in Bronx through summer

New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) Metro-North Railroad plans to accelerate trackwork in the Bronx including drainage improvements, tie replacements, fencing repairs and general cleanup of the wayside for nine weeks from July 1 through Labor Day.

Sound Transit hosts open houses on Federal Way Transit Extension

Sound Transit is conducting two open houses this month to seek public comment on its evaluation of alternatives to extend Link light rail from SeaTac to the Kent/Des Moines and Federal Way areas.

NJ Transit to offer WiFi at stations, platforms and trains

The New Jersey Transit Board of Directors authorized the agency to enter into a public-private partnership with Cablevision Systems Corporation to offer one of the top requested amenities to NJ Transit customers: high-speed wireless internet access at stations and onboard trains.

Union Pearson Express wins Project of the Year

Union Pearson Express (a division of Metrolinx) in Toronto, ON, Canada, won Project of the Year at the Global AirRail Awards in Frankfurt, Germany.

USDOT receives 568 applications for latest TIGER Grants

U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood says that the strong demand for Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery (TIGER) grants continues, as once again the number of applications has surpassed the available funding.

Reps. introduce Transit Parity Act

Rep. Michael Grimm (R-NY), Rep. James McGovern (D-MA), Rep. Peter King (R-NY) and Rep. Earl Blumenauer (D-OR) have introduced the Transit Parity Act. The bipartisan bill would maintain tax credit parity for drivers and public transportation users.

MARTA adopts FY14 budget

The Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA) Board of Directors has adopted the Fiscal Year 2014 operations and capital budgets, which will take effect on July 1.

Boardman: We are eating our assets alive

The reduced level of federal investment in Northeast Corridor (NEC) infrastructure has resulted in a cumulative degradation of its components, nearing the loss of asset functionality and decreased reliability of the system that threatens the successful continuity of passenger rail operations, Amtrak President and CEO Joe Boardman told a Congressional committee June 7.

VTA board awards $16 million construction contract for Capitol Expressway Transit

The Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority’s (VTA) Board of Directors awarded the Granite Rock Company, doing-business-as Pavex Construction Division, a $16.8 million construction contract award for the continued improvements planned along Capitol Expressway and future VTA rapid transit and light

LIRR opens public info center at Port Washington Station

Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) opened an information center at Port Washington Station to detail the benefits of the LIRR’s proposed track extensions at its Port Washington Train Yard.

Crouch names new VP

Crouch Engineering is expanding, starting with the creation of new departments and a restructuring of its management. The company named Richard Brann as vice president and general manager. Harvey Crouch, founder of Crouch Engineering, will continue his responsibilities as president and CEO, as well as manager of business development.

Gov. O’Malley appoints new secretary of MDOT and new administrator of the MTA

Maryland Gov. Martin O’Malley appointed James Smith, Jr., as secretary of the Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT) and Robert Smith as the administrator for the Maryland Transit Administration (MTA).

HART transit project Draft Supplemental EIS available to public

The Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation (HART) and the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) are accepting public comments on a Draft Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) Evaluation for the Honolulu Rail Transit Project.

HART and FTA officials have prepared a Draft Supplemental EIS Evaluation for the Rail Project as required by a recent U.S. District Court ruling. The draft covers the re-evaluations of the Beretania Street Tunnel Alternative and Mother Waldron Neighborhood Park.

A public hearing will be held on July 9 at the Neal Blaisdell Center. Comments will be accepted both orally and in writing at the hearing.

The Honolulu Rail Transit Project is a 20-mile elevated rail line that will connect West Oahu with downtown Honolulu and Ala Moana Center. The rail system includes 21 stations at key education, employment and retail destinations, including UH-West Oahu, Leeward and Honolulu community colleges, Honolulu International Airport, Downtown Honolulu, Pearl Harbor and Ala Moana and Pearlridge shopping centers.

The first 10 miles of the rail system from Kapolei to Aloha Stadium is expected to open in 2017, with the full 20-mile line opening in 2019.

CHSRA passes the reins to the SJRRC, appoints Henning to board

The California High-Speed Rail Authority (CHSRA) Board of Directors has voted to transfer full leadership and funding for rail planning in the Altamont Corridor to the San Joaquin Regional Rail Commission (SJRRC).

Illinois Officials sign rail design work on 10th Street corridor

Illinois Transportation Secretary Ann Schneider, Springfield Mayor Michael Houston and Sangamon County Chairman Andy Van Meter signed an Intergovernmental Cooperation Agreement (IGA) to advance design work as a part of the 10th Street Railroad Consolidation Plan.

NYCT brings FASTRACK back to Upper Manhattan

Metropolitan Transportation Authority New York City Transit is bringing FASTRACK back to Upper Manhattan June 10 on the A Line.

MTA plans extensive Sandy repairs on Montague and Greenpoint subway tunnels

Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) Montague and Greenpoint tunnels heavily damaged by Superstorm Sandy will require extended work to repair and rebuild their vital systems in order to ensure rider safety and reliable service. Both tunnels will be closed to subway traffic while work is completed.

Support of public transportation investment increases

A new survey released indicates that there is growing support for expanding public transportation.

Siemens installs energy storage unit on TriMet LRT

Siemens is currently installing the its Sitras SES Energy Storage Unit with supercapacitor technology in the U.S. on the new TriMet Portland-Milwaukie Light Rail Transit Line.

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