Briefs from around the globe
News from China, Scotland and Dubai
Chinese rail link plan accelerated Design and planning for a high-speed rail line linking Beijing to Kowloon, estimated to cut travel time for the journey in half, was sped up in light of its perceived benefits, according to The Standard. The rail service, which reaches speeds of up to 186 mph, reduces the travel time from 28 hours to an estimated 14 hours. Scottish tunnel key to service improvement A $754 million tunnel under the River Clyde and Glasgow city center will have to be built to improve rail services in the west of Scotland, according to a Scottish Strategic Rail Study Final Report. The tunnel, which would allow trains to run directly from all directions of Glasgow for the first time, is seen as key to addressing passenger capacity issues, reported The Herald. Features of the tunnel plan include an underground station linked by escalators or walkways with lower level platforms. Dubai launches public transport Website The Public Transport Department of Dubai Municipality launched a Website, www.dubaipublictransport.ae, providing detailed information on services offered. Website features, available in English and Arabic, include a route map that tours the city. The site, geared toward bus passengers, has helped generate more traffic on bus routes, reported the Gulf News. Nearly 155,000 passengers use the transport system daily.
More Management

OCTA Approves $2 Billion Budget for FY 2026-27, Prioritizing Transit Investments
More than half of the agency’s upcoming spending plan is dedicated to transit as OCTA balances infrastructure investment with fiscal stability.
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Joshua Schank on Transportation Innovation, Risk, and the Future of Mobility
In this edition of METROspectives, Joshua Schank discusses lessons from launching LA Metro’s Office of Extraordinary Innovation, the challenges of advancing new mobility technologies, and much more.
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Reinventing Fleet Maintenance with Real-time Visibility and AI
Transit leaders need to know what needs fixing, where to look, who is responsible, when work is completed, and what it costs without having to chase information across disconnected systems.
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Alstom Acquires Delaware Site to Support Amtrak NextGen Acela Fleet
The company is investing more than $55 million to acquire and improve the property and will employ approximately 100 people at this site once it is operational.
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SamTrans Sets Priorities for Potential Connect Bay Area Revenue
The board-approved framework allocates future funding to maintaining service, rider improvements, equity initiatives, and infrastructure repairs.
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Federal Transit Officials Launch MARTA Safety Probe
FTA has given MARTA 15 days to provide records on crime prevention, fare evasion enforcement, and security funding as part of a broader safety investigation.
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ABA's Ferguson Testifies in Support of BUS Act, National Standards for Bus Operators
The BUSES Act would create a nationwide framework preventing state and local governments from enforcing bus idling restrictions of less than 15 minutes, a threshold consistent with existing Environmental Protection Agency guidance.
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When Routine Fails: How Public Transit Must Adapt for the World Cup
The 2026 FIFA World Cup will test transit agencies’ ability to manage unpredictable travel patterns, making real-time data and operational flexibility critical to moving millions of visitors efficiently.
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Florida’s JTA Puts Innovation in Motion Ahead of America250
The agency unveiled a commemorative America250 bus during a visit from U.S. DOT's Seval Oz and showcased its autonomous mobility programs.
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California Selects Team for Nation’s First True High-Speed Rail Track and Systems Contract
The board action follows completion of track installation at the 150-acre southern railhead in Kern County, which will serve as the staging and distribution hub for high-speed track and systems installation.
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