METRO Briefs
Sen. Clinton proposes new transit bill. Investigators to query freight crew. California seeks operator cell phone ban.
Sen. Clinton proposes new transit bill
NEW YORK – Sen. Hillary
Rodham Clinton proposed a bill that would authorize $1.7 billion over two years
to support mass transit systems throughout the U.S. to help maintain low fares,
while expanding operations to meet the growing demand. For the full story,
click here.
NTSB investigators to interview freight crew from crash
LOS ANGELES – NTSB investigators are planning to interview the conductor and brakeman of the freight train that crashed into the Metrolink train in Chatsworth, Calif. “There is no pressure to conclude this. I can stay as long as I feel it is necessary,” said the lead investigator of the NTSB’s thorough investigation. For the full story, click here.
California seeks operator cell phone ban
LOS ANGELES – In the wake of the Metrolink accident, Michael Peevey, president of the California Public Utilities Commission, is calling for an emergency order that would ban train operators from using cell phones. For the full story, click here.
More Rail
Amtrak Finalizes Pre-Development Agreement for Penn Station Overhaul
The agreement advances plans for a $7 billion to $8 billion transformation of New York's busiest transit hub, with construction expected to begin by the end of 2027.
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New York MTA Leverages Zoning Program to Advance Station Accessibility
Accessibility enhancements at Nevins St Station will be financed through a development agreement tied to the MTA's Zoning for Accessibility initiative.
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Virginia's $28.5B Transportation Plan Targets Transit and Rail
Approved by the Commonwealth Transportation Board, the program supports ongoing infrastructure projects while providing new investments in transit, state of good repair and transportation alternatives.
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DOT: Brightline Corridor Incidents Fall 30% Following Federal Safety Upgrades
Safety improvements funded through a $25 million federal investment are credited with reducing trespassing and train-vehicle collisions along the Brightline Florida corridor.
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D Line Expansion Fuels Growth Across LA Metro's Rail System
Weekend rail ridership was especially strong, soaring 18% as riders embraced expanded access to jobs, entertainment, dining, and cultural destinations, said the agency. Total system ridership for May, including bus and rail, was 26,966,657.
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Southern California's Metrolink Debuts Contactless Fare Payment Pilot
Customers traveling between Redlands and Los Angeles can now tap their preferred payment method, including a credit or debit card, mobile wallet, or wearable device, at station validators before boarding and again while exiting.
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California's BART Approves FY27 Budget While Maintaining Service Levels
The budget covers July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2027, a period when pandemic emergency funds run out, the District faces a structural deficit of $375 million, and a regional transit funding measure may appear on the November ballot.
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Penn Station Transformation Advances with Design Unveiling
The historic redesign will transform the busiest transit hub in the Western Hemisphere from the tracks to the street level, creating a more efficient, cleaner, and functional experience for more than 600,000 daily commuters and millions of visitors.
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Second Avenue Subway Phase 2 Advances into Major Construction Stage
New York Governor Kathy Hochul joined leadership from the MTA, elected officials, and Harlem community leaders to break ground on the major construction stage of the transformative Second Avenue Subway Phase 2 project.
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The Invisible Infrastructure of Passenger Flow
What a seat reservation system on Austria’s Railjet trains reveals about the future of rider experience, and why U.S. agencies should pay attention.
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