RELATED: Getting Up to Speed on the FTA's New Safety Mandate
FTA, Maryland Transit Administration appeal judge's Purple Line decision
Ruling called for an additional environmental study of the light rail line, despite the fact the project had already been studied and signed-off on by the feds.
July 17, 2017
CHOSEN
1 min to read
WASHINGTON,D.C. — The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) joined the Maryland Transit Administration to appeal a judge’s ruling requiring a new environmental study of the Purple Line light rail project, WTOP reports.
Despite the FTA’s sign off on the project, plaintiffs against the Purple Line had successfully argued a more comprehensive environmental review is necessary, as the latest environmental impact study reportedly didn’t fully address issues of cost and ridership and is missing information about how the agency’s “decline in ridership and safety and reliability would affect the Purple Line, which would depend on it.”
The State of Maryland has already invested $800 million in the project but it cannot access promised federal dollars to move forward while the case is in court. For the full story, click here.
More Rail
NJ TRANSIT Secures Capital Funding, Adopts FY2027 Budget
The budgets continue investments in infrastructure and equipment to maintain the system in a state of good repair and enhance the overall customer experience.
Read More →
Biz Briefs: Masabi Teams with St. Louis Metro and More
In METRO's latest installment, we take a look at recent news from Transdev, Hitachi, and more partnerships making headlines across the transportation sector.
Read More →
Metra Begins Drone Pilot Project to Boost Safety and Security
The project is funded through a $620,000 grant from FEMA’s Transit Security Grant Program, which provides transit agencies with funding for projects intended to protect critical transportation infrastructure and the traveling public.
Read More →
Austin Transit Partnership Selects Stadler to Manufacture Light Rail Vehicles
The award marks the conclusion of a series of major procurements over 18 months, as outlined in ATP’s delivery plan, and keeps Austin Light Rail on track.
Read More →
The Heart Behind Austin's Light Rail
Why Austin Transit Partnership's Operations and Maintenance Facility could become the most important building in the city's first light rail system.
Read More →
June LA Metro Ridership Surges 2 Million Year Over Year
Total June ridership increased for both weekdays and weekends. Weekday ridership was 953,820, which grew 8.4% from June 2025; Saturdays increased nearly 13% year-over-year to 708,826; and Sundays increased 7.7% to 611,534 from June 2025, according to LA Metro.
Read More →
Keolis and SNCF Voyageurs Bring Rail Expertise to California High-Speed Rail
The CDA establishes a collaborative predevelopment partnership intended to evaluate future delivery opportunities through public-private partnership models.
Read More →
Stadler Marks 10 Years in the U.S. with Salt Lake City Expansion
The expansion is expected to create up to 300 new local jobs, some of which are youth apprenticeships, said Stadler officials.
Read More →
MBTA Selects STV to Support Battery-Electric Locomotive Procurement
The firm's seven-year contract includes end-to-end support from bid review and selection through procurement, production, and testing.
Read More →
Executive Order Aims to Improve Transit Access Across California
The order directs state agencies to streamline transit project delivery, improve coordination, and expand access to bus and passenger rail services across California.
Read More →