METRO Briefs
Google Maps upgrades transit info Univ. of Wash. to endorse light-rail extension NYC congestion plan competes for federal funds
Google Maps upgrades transit info
In some cities and for some types of public transportation, Google Maps can now show the next departure time, what lines serve a specific station and a link to the transit agency when users click on transit station icons. To read the full story, click here.
Univ. of Wash. to endorse light-rail extension
SEATTLE — The University of Washington and Sound Transit have struck a tentative agreement for construction of a light-rail tunnel to reach the university's on-campus stadium. Sound Transit needs the deal in order to secure a federal grant of $750 million to help fund its planned $1.6 billion, three-mile tunnel from Westlake Center to Husky Stadium. To read the full story, click here.
NYC congestion plan competes for federal funds
NEW YORK — New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg's plan to reduce traffic congestion by imposing $8 fees on drivers in Manhattan was chosen this week as one of nine semifinalist cities competing for $1.1 billion in federal transportation aid. To read the full story, click here.
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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