In January 2021, the Federal Transit Administration signed a Full Funding Grant Agreement for Valley Metro’s South Central Light Rail Extension/Downtown Hub Project in Phoenix; the funding is part of the Capital Investment Grants (CIG) program.

APTA to Congress: ‘Fully Fund IIJA’

The American Public Transportation Association (APTA) on Feb. 11 submitted a letter to Congress urging members to “fully fund the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA).”

First Look: Valley Metro’s Newest Siemens LRVs

On Jan. 10, three S700 light rail vehicles from Siemens Mobility entered revenue service on Phoenix Valley Metro’s 28-mile line between northwest Phoenix, Tempe and Mesa, Ariz.

The Phoenix Valley Metro’s Northwest Extension Phase II Light Rail Project is on track to open in February 2025. The agency hosted U.S. Transportation Secretary Buttigieg (at the podium) and Federal Transit Administrator Nuria Fernandez (seated) for the official FFGA signing on Nov. 19.

Valley Metro Earns FFGA for Light Rail Extension

Officials from the U.S. Department of Transportation; Phoenix, Ariz.; and Valley Metro celebrated the signing of a $158.1 million Full Funding Grant Agreement for the Northwest Extension Phase II Light Rail Project on Nov. 19.

CTA has received AIA Illinois’ 2021 Greatest Impact Award for its $43 million renovation of the historic Garfield Station on Chicago’s south side.

Transit Briefs: CTA; DART; Valley Metro

The Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) has received an architectural award for its Garfield Green Line station renovation project. In addition, Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) now accepts contactless payment on all light rail, bus and Dallas Streetcar vehicles; and Phoenix Valley Metro’s Small Business Financial Assistance Program pilot has distributed more than $250,000 since its spring launch.

Scott Smith, outgoing CEO, Valley Metro, Phoenix, Ariz.

Valley Metro CEO Stepping Down in 2022

Scott Smith will retire as CEO of Phoenix’s Valley Metro in 2022.

Amtrak’s proposal calls for three daily round-trips from Tucson through to Phoenix and Buckeye (see map above), running on host freight railroad Union Pacific.

Will Amtrak Service Link Tucson and Phoenix?

Eleven Arizona mayors—led by Tucson Mayor Regina Romero and Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego—have released a joint letter to the state’s congressional delegation supporting Amtrak’s vision to bring passenger rail service to the Tucson-Phoenix corridor.

Wulf Grote, Senior Transit Engineering Advisor, HDR

HDR Taps Wulf Grote for Transit Advisory Role

Wulf Grote is joining HDR as Senior Transit Engineering Advisor, based in Denver, Colo.

Chicago’s Metra now offers an onboard survey to measure and track month-to-month rider satisfaction and to solicit feedback on on-time performance, cleanliness, communications, and employee interactions.

Transit Briefs: Metra, Metrolink, Valley Metro, Sound Transit, TTC

Chicago’s Metra is offering an onboard rider satisfaction survey; Southern California Regional Rail Authority (Metrolink) has launched a Small Business Partnership Program (SBPP); Phoenix’s Valley Metro has introduced a real-time light rail and bus tracking and trip planning app; Sound Transit has debuted a Northgate Link website ahead of the 4.3-mile light rail extension’s Oct. 2 opening; and Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) has opened a new Fare Inspector and Special Constable Complaints (FISCC) Office.

Brookville Equipment Corp. has delivered the first of six new Liberty® NXT streetcars to Valley Metro Rail for the Tempe (Ariz.) Streetcar system, slated to open later this year.

USDOT: $250MM to Advance Transit Projects

The U.S. Department of Transportation reported on June 11 that 22 transit projects in the Capital Investment Grants (CIG) program will receive a total of $250 million in American Rescue Plan funding allocations; four are rail-related and will receive a total of $64.9 million.

Supply Side: HDR, L.B. Foster

HDR advisors have helped three transit agencies secure a total of $1.23 billion for four projects under the Federal Transit Administration’s Capital Investment Grant program; L.B. Foster Co. has hired a new Senior Vice President and CFO.

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