CTA has released a Request for Proposals to the three pre-selected contracting teams that demonstrated the ability to design and build the $3.6 billion Red Line Extension in a Request for Qualifications process that began last year. (CTA Rendering)

Transit Briefs: CTA, Minn. Met Council, San Diego MTS, SBCTA, WMATA

Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) issues a Request for Proposals (RFP) to build Red Line Extension track structure and stations, and hits the ridership “million mark” on multiple days, a post-pandemic first. Also, Minnesota’s Metropolitan Council announces a grant agreement that will fund work on the Metro Transit Blue Line extension project through 2024; San Diego Metropolitan Transit System’s (MTS) Board signs off on measures to improve operations, accessibility and security; San Bernardino County Transportation Authority (SBCTA) takes delivery of the ZEMU (Zero-Emissions Multiple Unit) from Stadler; and Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) delays until next year the full switch to automatic train operations (ATO).

Caltrain’s bilevel EMUs from Stadler operated under power from the overhead contact system (OCS) for the first time this spring. Earlier this month, the Caltrain Board approved exercising the options on its Stadler contract for four more EMUs. The commuter railroad will now order a Stadler battery-equipped EMU. (Caltrain Photograph)

Caltrain to Pilot Stadler BEMU

Caltrain will exercise a contract option with Stadler to purchase a battery-equipped electric multiple unit (BEMU) train comprising three passenger cars and one battery-head housing the battery and power equipment.

Wabtec Wins Component Order for VDV Tram-Train Project

Wabtec Corporation (Wabtec) on July 6 announced that it has won a contract to supply passenger information systems (PIS) and pantographs for up to 504 Stadler cars as part of the VDV Tram-Train project.

CalSTA awarded Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) $375 million for the six-mile, four-station BART Silicon Valley Phase II Extension Project that will bring BART service to downtown San Jose and Santa Clara. Project completion is scheduled for 2033.

CalSTA Awards $2.5B for Rail Transit Projects

San Francisco Bay Area Rapid Transit District (BART) and Peninsula Corridor Joint Powers Board (Caltrain) are among the 14 California agencies that will share $2.515 billion in TIRCP (Transit and Intercity Rail Capital Program) grants from CalSTA (California State Transportation Agency) for rail-related projects.

(Photograph Courtesy of Caltrain via Twitter)

Caltrain Electrification Project to Get $43MM Boost

Caltrain on Dec. 23 reported that it would receive $43 million as part of the omnibus spending bill to “help fill the funding gap” for its 51-mile commuter rail electrification project in

(Photo Credit: Keith Fender)

California Orders 29 HFC Trains for Intercity Services (UPDATED)

Stadler, the California State Transportation Agency (CalSTA) and the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the design and delivery of four zero-emission HFC (hydrogen fuel cell)

Wabtec is providing 336 HVAC units for 56 new trainsets being produced for MARTA at Stadler’s Salt Lake City, Utah, plant. (Photograph Courtesy of Wabtec).

Wabtec Lands HVAC Order for New MARTA Trainsets

Wabtec Corp. will supply heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) units for the 56 new Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA) trainsets on order from Stadler.

The Stadler Flirt Akku 3 is an example of a battery-powered multiple unit.

Stadler Developing Customized Batteries System for Multiple Units

The Mosenas project aims to tailor battery size and weight for individual rail routes.

Transit Budget Briefs: BART, MARTA

The San Francisco Bay Area Rapid Transit District (BART) Board has approved an operating and capital budget for Fiscal Year 2023 and a proposed budget for FY 2024, including a 3.4% fare increase. Also, the Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA) Board has adopted a FY23 budget.

A westbound OC Transpo train approaches Bayview Station on Line 1 in Ottawa, Canada. (Photo: Courtesy, City of Ottawa)

Ottawa LRT Projects Advancing

Work is progressing on the two extensions to Ottawa, Ontario’s crosstown Confederation LRT Line, opened in 2019. A third major rail transit project currently under way in the Ottawa area is extending and upgrading the DMU Trillium Line. Scheduled for completion in 2023, this improvement should significantly boost ridership.

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