METRO Briefs
Denver launches commuter rail line Honolulu introduces bill to silence cell phones on buses TTC designs new subway tokens to stem counterfeiting
Denver launches light rail line
DENVER — Thousands turned out last weekend to witness the launching of Denver’s new 19-mile-long light rail line, which is expected to carry at least 38,000 passengers each day. The new line — the city’s third — was built at a cost of $939 million. For the full story, click here.
Honolulu introduces bill to silence cell phones on buses
HONOLULU — After hearing testimony that cell phone ring tones, as well as speaker phone and walkie-talkie features are a distraction for drivers and a nuisance for riders, Honolulu has proposed a bill that would require passengers to set their phones to vibrate and those features to silent. The bill is expected to win approval from the Honolulu City Council next month. For the full story, click here.
TTC designs new subway token to stem counterfeiting
TORONTO — The Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) is putting new subway tokens into circulation that are “next to impossible to reproduce” in an effort to stem counterfeiting. The new tokens were ordered by the TTC after high-quality counterfeits were found in the system. For the full story, click here.
More Management
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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IndyGo, Cleveland RTA Expand Digital Fare Payment Options with Masabi
The new systems combine mobile apps, smart cards, and automatic fare capping to simplify payments, expand flexibility, and help riders access the lowest available fares.
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