Capital Metro Awarded $50M for MetroRail Improvements
The Texas Department of Transportation awarded Capital Metro $50 million for the purchase of new rail cars for the agency’s MetroRail service, and the construction of a permanent and larger rail station in downtown Austin.
The funding includes $28 million for the purchase of four rail cars, which will double the capacity of the Red Line, allowing up to 2,400 additional passenger trips during morning and afternoon peak travel times. Capital Metro will also be able to increase frequency during peak periods from 34 to 15 minutes, and add an extra train after 7 p.m. to give commuters another alternative to driving during rush hour.
In addition to the rail cars, the agency will allocate $22 million to construct a permanent and enhanced MetroRail station downtown, transforming the facility into a multimodal terminal that connects with local bus service and a potential future urban rail system. The new station is expected to include up to three tracks and two platforms to accommodate future system expansion, and better serve crowds during special events. The new station configuration is estimated to cost between $30 million and $35 million, part of which will come from local partners.
“Improving service on the Red Line couldn’t come at a better time, because real and tangible solutions are needed to handle the continuing growth in the region,” said Capital Metro President and CEO Linda S. Watson. “MetroRail is a key part of the Project Connect high-capacity transit system that many community and transportation leaders are working on. With 110 people moving here every day, bringing their cars with them, we need to implement an ‘all the above’ approach to help with the escalating traffic issues. Project Connect does that.”
www.MassTransitmag.com/11542329
King County Celebrates Launch of New RapidRide F Line
King County Metro Transit launched the RapidRide F Line, the 12-mile route in the RapidRide program which will replace routes 110 and 140.
“RapidRide is helping us build the most efficient all-day transit network, one that offers a great customer experience and better positions King County for the growth coming to our region," said King County Executive Dow Constantine. "I'm grateful for the state and federal funding that allowed us to expand this increasingly popular service.”
The budget for the RapidRide program is $212 million, of which $121 million was funded by federal and state grants. RapidRide F Line alone was among Federal Transit Administration grant recipients totaling 18.5 million.
www.MassTransitmag.com/11514950
Canadian Transit Industry Recognizes Service Point for the Homeless
The Canadian Urban Transit Association (CUTA) presented its Corporate Leadership Award in the “Safety and Security” category to Service Point for the Homeless, a joint project between the Société de transport de Montréal (STM) and the Société de développement social de Ville-Marie (SDSVM).
In December 2012, the SDSVM, the STM and various corporate, social and medical partners joined forces to provide an innovative alternative for homeless people at Place-des-Arts station, notably by setting up a service point at Mission St. Michael.
www.MassTransitmag.com/11518256
Edmonton Transit & Edmonton Police Team Up on LRT
The Edmonton Transit System (ETS) and Edmonton Police Services (EPS) formed a trial Transit and Police Partnership (TAPP), a joint ETS/EPS initiative to enhance security on Edmonton’s LRT network.
TAPP will consist of ETS transit peace officers paired with EPS police officers in two-person teams. These teams will patrol Edmonton Transit property and vehicles on a day-to-day basis, assisting citizens and enhancing customer safety and security, primarily on the northern half of the LRT system.
“The EPS and Edmonton Transit have entered into this trial project as a joint venture to help dissuade disorder situations from occurring on our LRT system and to make the transit system an even more enjoyable and safe form of transportation for Edmontonians,” said Staff Sgt. Gary Beaulieu, EPS Downtown Beats. “Edmonton is rapidly becoming a major, metropolitan city, whose residents are increasingly depending on public transportation to get around. An increased police presence in the LRT is a logical progression.”
The TAPP trial project begins today and is scheduled to run from now until mid-December.
www.MassTransitmag.com/11579937
Grand Opening Ceremony Celebrates AAATA’s Downtown Blake Transit Center
The Ann Arbor Area Transportation Authority (AAATA) held a grand opening ceremony for the $8.1 million project, which included demolition of the existing one-story building and constructing a new two-story Blake Transit Center that will serve as the AAATA’s main downtown hub.
The new 12,019-square-foot building includes space for a main customer service lobby, accessible restrooms, offices for AAATA and getDowntown staff, conference rooms, a staff break room, and a basement for storage and mechanical equipment. Bike parking and benches are included on the site, and bus stops along Fourth Avenue were redesigned as part of the project.
The estimated cost of the project exceeds original estimates based on additional needs identified through community input during public hearings and environmental analysis, as well as the costs of the city’s approval process. More than $7 million of the total project costs are funded through state and federal grants that were earmarked for the creation of the new transit center.
www.MassTransitmag.com/11553939
New CNG Buses Are Cleaner, Cheaper and Safer
Mayor Chris Beutler and StarTran officials celebrated the arrival of five new CNG buses, which will be less expensive to operate and better for the environment. StarTran plans to add eight more CNG buses and 11 CNG handi-vans over the next two years.
"Over the 15-year lifetime of these vehicles, the city will save about $1.3 million in lower fuel costs and reduced maintenance," Mayor Beutler said. "At the same time, natural gas produces 25 percent less greenhouse gas emissions than diesel fuel. These vehicles will benefit the entire community and demonstrate the dedication of StarTran to a high-quality, cost efficient transit system."
The New Flyer buses replace buses which have been in service for more than 12 years. They cost about $484,000 each, with an additional cost of about $35,000 for the CNG fuel system. StarTran Transit Manager Mike Davis said the additional investment in the CNG systems will pay off in about six years. State funding covered the additional cost on three of the first five buses, and Mayor Beutler thanked Black Hills Energy for donating $70,000 to cover the additional cost on the other two.
www.MassTransitmag.com/ 11525810
CityBus to Add CNG Facility
CityBus is adding CNG facilities in early spring 2015 — the first public transit agency in the state to do so.
The first phase of the project, scheduled to be completed April 1, includes installation of compressors, storage tanks, a dispenser and a canopy by Energy Systems Group at a cost of $3,270,407.
Six CNG buses are on order and due to deliver late March 2015.
“We’re not having a lot of growth in our normal revenue streams,” General Manager Martin Sennett said. “In order to keep the high levels of service our riders need and expect, we have to find savings. Fuel is one of our biggest costs so using CNG will provide savings while offering a more environmentally friendly alternative to diesel.”
www.MassTransitmag.com/11576370
St. Cloud Metro Bus Named Urban Community Transportation System of the Year
At an awards ceremony June 11, the Community Transportation Association of America (CTAA) named St. Cloud Metro Bus “2014 Urban Transportation System of the Year.” This is the first time a Minnesota system has received this honor.
“Metro Bus is honored to receive this national recognition,” said Ryan I. Daniel, Metro Bus Executive Director.
“This accomplishment would not have been possible without the dedication of our staff. From bus drivers to mechanics and fuelers, dispatchers, travel trainers and administration — everyone plays a role in providing this award-winning service.”
www.MassTransitmag.com/11519935
Alstom to Supply 15 Citadis Dualis Tram-Trains to SNCF for €80M Euros
Alstom is to supply 15 Citadis Dualis for the Ile-de-France region after an SNCF exercise of option on behalf of STIF.
This order, which is part of the framework agreement signed in 2007 on behalf of the French regions, amounts to a total of €80 million. The delivery of the 15 Citadis Dualis tram-trains will begin in the summer of 2016 for an expected commercial operation from July 2017, on the Epinay-sur-Seineand Le Bourget sections of the TLN line.
www.MassTransitmag.com/11518854
