METRO Briefs
Big Dig ceiling collapse investigation focusing on bolts
BOSTON — Bolts attaching 3-ton concrete panels to the ceiling of a Big Dig tunnel have become the focus in the investigation of why four of the slabs broke away Monday night and crushed a car, killing a Boston woman and injuring her husband. Warning signs that the bolts were defective may have occurred as early as 1999. For the full story, click here.
India names train attack suspects
BOMBAY, India — India’s Anti-Terror Squad has released photos of two young men they believe are responsible for placing the eight bombs on a commuter train that killed 200 people and wounded 700 more in Bombay on Tuesday. A possible al-Qaida link is also being looked into. For the full story, click here.
COTA drops light rail plans
COLUMBUS, Ohio — The Central Ohio Transit Authority has dropped plans for a light rail project that would have run through its northern corridor after failing to qualify for federal funding. The agency was relying on the feds to cover at least half of the capital costs, which were projected to be somewhere between $228 million and $600 million. For the full story, click here.
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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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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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