Transit Briefs: BART, VRE, MARTA, TransLink, SEPTA, NYMTA, MassDOT, LA Metro, Reading & Northern
BART
BART’s efforts to “enhance safety, cleanliness, and the customer experience” are paying off as June 2025 saw a 13.4% increase in ridership over a year ago, “bolstered by steadily growing weekend ridership,” the agency reported July 18.
According to BART, Saturdays have seen some of the highest rates of ridership growth as people increasingly use the system to travel to events and activities on the weekends, including families and those who are now choosing to take transit over driving. Saturday ridership increased by 15.2% from May to June and was up 24.6% compared to a year ago. These increases, BART says, were boosted thanks to local events, such as the June 14 “No Kings Day” protests, which marked the second highest day for Saturday ridership since the pandemic. June 29, the day of the San Francisco Pride Parade, saw the second highest Sunday for ridership since 2020.
Additional ridership information is publicly available here.
VRE
VRE announced July 18 that it has officially adopted its System Plan 2050, “a forward-looking strategy designed to guide the commuter rail system’s evolution over the next 25 years.”
The plan was finalized after approval on Thursday, July 17, by the Northern Virginia Transportation Commission (NVTC) and previous approval on Thursday, July 10, by the Potomac Rappahannock Transportation Commission (PRTC), the two commissions which jointly own and operate the regional commuter rail system.
Developed over a period of 22 months with extensive input from the public, stakeholders, and partner agencies, the VRE System Plan 2050 “identifies strategic priorities that support VRE’s mission to provide safe, reliable, and convenient commuter rail service in Northern Virginia and beyond,” according to the agency. The plan, VRE adds, “lays the foundation for future service expansion, infrastructure investments, and enhanced regional connectivity to meet the region’s evolving transportation needs as populations grow and travel behaviors shift.”
“This plan positions VRE to better meet the shifting needs of our region’s commuters and transit users,” said VRE CEO Rich Dalton. “But it’s important to remember that it is a vision— not a budget. Additional funding commitments across multiple sources will be needed to fulfil the level of service defined in this plan and lay the groundwork for a more connected, mobile, and resilient region,” Dalton continued.
Building on the progress of the existing 2040 plan, the System Plan 2050 and Service Vision “aligns VRE with regional goals for sustainable transportation, economic growth, and environmental stewardship,” the agency said.
Changes to travel behaviors, recent infrastructure investments, and shifting populations in communities across Northern Virginia meant the previous System Plan completed in 2014 needed several alterations to better meet travel needs in the region. The new System Plan 2050 accommodates non-traditional work schedules, changes in housing and employment demographics, and a major commitment by the Commonwealth of Virginia to grow and improve rail service through Transforming Rail in Virginia. In this vision, VRE says it shifts from a commuter focused rail service to a regional operation with increased frequency and the eventual addition of bi-directional and weekend service.
Key elements of the VRE System Plan 2050 and Service Vision include:
- “Expanded service frequency and hours to support flexible commuting and nonpeak travel.
- “Expanded capacity and access on both the Fredericksburg and Manassas lines.
- “Improved intermodal connectivity with Metrorail, local bus systems, and regional trails.
- “Sustainable infrastructure investments focused on resilience and environmental benefits.
- “Support for regional initiatives such as the Transforming Rail in Virginia program and long-term collaboration with Amtrak, CSX, and Norfolk Southern.”
Parallel to VRE’s System Plan 2050 are existing state and federally funded projects already under way to support increased capacity and efficient rail transportation along rail lines leading into the District of Columbia and funneling through Union Station, including construction of the new Long Bridge across the Potomac River and the addition of third and fourth tracks to improve rail capacity from VRE Lorton Station to VRE L’Enfant Station. Improvements to VRE and its supporting infrastructure envisioned in the System Plan 2050 “seek to leverage these investments in rail infrastructure and unlock significant opportunities for increased rail service to and from the Commonwealth of Virginia,” the agency said.
Investments into specific components of the System Plan will be made strategically as funding opportunities from federal, state, and local sources become available. More information is available here.
MARTA
MARTA and Atlanta United on July 17 announced the release of the second “MARTA Collection,” a custom retail collaboration between the transit agency and the soccer club.
All items can be purchased at the Atlantic Station Team Store and at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium Team Store when Atlanta United hosts Charlotte FC. Fans will soon have additional opportunities to purchase the collection online and at rail pop-ups at select rail stations.
“We’re excited to continue this retail partnership into its second year, giving fans more ways to show their pride for both Atlanta United and MARTA,” said MARTA Chief Customer Experience Officer Rhonda Allen. “It’s been incredible to see our customers sporting the gear while riding our trains and buses, and we look forward to even more fans repping their team and their transit system on the way to the match.”
This collection features a shooter shirt, t-shirt, women’s top and bottom, reversible bucket hat, trucker hat, and scarf. These items merge soccer-inspired designs with key brand elements from both the team and MARTA.
Featured prominently as the primary design throughout the collection is the club’s abbreviation of “atlutd” stylized in MARTA’s classic lowercase font positioned next to the transit system’s iconic blue, yellow and orange stripes.
TransLink
More than 150 frontline transit workers across the TransLink system are now wearing pins that say “hello” in various languages—to let customers know which languages they speak in addition to English.
This initiative, the agency says, “will enable customers to ask for help in their preferred language, improving accessibility and inclusion in the overall transit experience.”
The program currently includes more than 40 languages, and participation continues to grow as more staff join the program. Participants are made up from TransLink, Coast Mountain Bus Company, and the BC Rapid Transit Company.
“It can be difficult to ask for help when you don’t speak the local language,” said TransLink CEO Kevin Quinn. “These language pins help create a more welcoming environment for all customers and improve the transit experience for everyone who rides our system.”
The program, TransLink says, complements other multilingual resources offered by TransLink including:
- Customer Information support in more than 300 languages by calling 604.953.3333.
- Access Transit Customer Care in more than 300 languages by calling 604.953.3680.
- Travel training videos on YouTube in English, Cantonese, French, Mandarin, Punjabi, Ukrainian, and English Described Video.
- Sessions for seniors, newcomers, and persons with disabilities in more than 11 languages.
- Additional languages available upon request through community organizations.
According to the 2021 Statistics Canada census, more than 27% of Metro Vancouver families speak a language other than English or French at home. The census also highlights the region’s diverse population, with approximately 170 different languages spoken throughout Metro Vancouver. “TransLink’s language pin initiative builds on our efforts to improve the customer experience and make sure that everyone feels confident navigating the transit system,” the agency said.
SEPTA
Average daily ridership in June 2025 was 707,881 unlinked passenger trips across all modes, the agency reported July 17.
System-wide ridership increased 6% from June 2024. On average there were 42,799 more trips per day in June 2025 compared to June 2024.
All modes experienced an increase in ridership relative to this time last year.
SEPTA Metro ridership expanded by 15% relative to June 2024. Metro includes all heavy rail (B, L, and M) and all trolley routes. “The B and the L continue to experience strong year over year growth and are a driving factor in system-wide growth,” the agency noted.
Trolley ridership increased by 13% or 6,236 unlinked trips per weekday relative to June 2024. Ridership increased 16% on Saturdays and increased 21% on Sundays.
Regional Rail ridership has grown by 6% or approximately 4,705 additional passengers relative to this time last year. There were approximately 80,214 unlinked trips per weekday.
NYMTA
The New York MTA on July 18 announced that it has installed protective platform edge barriers at 56 subway stations across Brooklyn, Manhattan, and Queens.
Halfway through 2025, the MTA says it is on track to deliver on Governor Kathy Hochul’s 2025 State of the State direction to install barriers at more than 100 subway stations by the end of the year. This directive is part of a larger set of initiatives Gov. Hochul announced in her State of the State address to protect subway riders and workers. The MTA continues to upgrade station lighting with brighter, safer LED bulbs. LEDs are now installed in 342 stations, on schedule for all 472 subway stations to be upgraded by the end of the year. Safety in the subway system, MTA says, continues to improve with overall major crimes dropping by 3% from the same period last year and by almost 10% when compared to pre-pandemic levels.
According to the MTA, recent customer surveys have shown that 59% of riders wanted the installation of protective platform barriers throughout the system—including 88% of riders over the age of 65. A majority of respondents have also noted that they believe the presence of platform barriers in the station makes them feel safer and believe the barriers will protect against falls onto the tracks. Platform barriers are built and installed using in-house New York City Transit (NYCT) labor with in-house machinery in a NYCT facility resulting in lower costs and a faster installation timeline.
The selection of stations for the installation process, MTA says, prioritizes feasibility, including stations with standard car-stopping positions in segments of the 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, F, M and L trains. Among these train lines, stations with higher ridership levels and island platforms are prioritized.
MassDOT
MassDOT on July 18 announced that it has received confirmation that POTUS 47 is terminating $327 million that Massachusetts won in 2023 for the Allston Multimodal Project. Massachusetts will retain $8 million from the grant, This comes after POTUS 47 signed a law that ended the Neighborhood Access and Equity Program, the funding program under which Massachusetts received this award.
“Massachusetts won this funding to support our communities and our economy—and the [POTUS 47] Administration needs to restore it. Why would any President of the United States oppose a project that will improve transportation for residents and visitors alike, create thousands of construction jobs, support local businesses and create space for new housing? We all benefit from that,” said Governor Mauraa Healey. “The people of Massachusetts deserve better from their federal government. However, we have known that this day was likely to come, as wrong-headed and frustrating as the decision is. We remain committed to doing everything we can, working with our incredible project partners, to make Allston Multimodal a reality.”
“Our team at MassDOT has done incredible work along with our partners to move this essential project along despite uncertainty at the federal level,” said Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll. “Under the leadership of Secretary Tibbits-Nutt and Megaprojects Director Luisa Paiewonsky, we are committed to getting this project back on track and delivering for the people of Massachusetts.”
“The loss of the Reconnecting Communities and Neighborhoods Grant does not change our commitment to the communities that are counting on this investment,” said Transportation Secretary & CEO Monica Tibbits-Nutt. “We will move forward with a strategic review of the project, both analyzing the project costs and consulting with an outside engineering firm to assess the project. We believe in the Allston Multimodal Project and will stay engaged and in communication with the Task Force, project partners and elected officials as we chart our path forward.”
The Healey-Driscoll Administration says it remains committed to the Allston Multimodal Project, which will “expand travel options for the Allston neighborhood, improve highway, commuter and passenger rail service to residents of Metrowest, Central and Western Massachusetts, and unlock Beacon Park Yard for future redevelopment.” MassDOT is launching a strategic review to evaluate how to deliver the project’s transportation goals efficiently and within the constraints of available resources. MassDOT will use the results of these efforts to propose a revised path forward for the project, in close collaboration with the City of Boston, elected officials, institutional partners Harvard and Boston University, and members of the Allston Multimodal Project Task Force.
LA Metro
LA Metro’s June ridership shows a “dramatic increase” in ridership on the Metro K Line due to the long-awaited opening of the LAX/Metro Transit Center, the agency reported July 18.
Overall, system ridership experienced a slight decline of 6.0% compared to 2024 June ridership, better than initially anticipated at the start of the month, “due to the increase in federal law enforcement activity across Los Angeles County, numerous protests resulting in station and road closures and several days of curfew in downtown Los Angeles as well as many Angelenos staying home.”
According to LA Metro, data shows that year-over year-ridership on the Metro K Line was up 139.5% on weekdays, 198.9% on Saturdays and 214.9% on Sundays, “likely attributable to the opening of the LAX/Metro Transit Center.” The new station, which opened June 6, provides a new transit connection to Los Angeles International Airport, one of the busiest airports in the world. By providing a direct connection to regional transit, the LAX/Metro Transit Center Station “expands options for airport-area employees and travelers and decreases reliance on more costly options, such as taxis, rideshares or private vehicles,” the agency noted.
The new station closes the final gap along the K Line, so it now runs continuously from the Expo/Crenshaw Station to Redondo Beach, bisecting the loop comprised of the A, C, K and E Lines. This provides improved connectivity regionally via the C, J and E lines. It also extends the C Line, which previously terminated at Aviation/LAX Station, bringing it directly to the LAX/Metro Transit Center and enhancing airport access for riders across the region.
Total monthly ridership on the Metro K Line in June 2025 was 26.8% higher than November 2024, the second highest monthly total ridership in the line’s history. This further suggests that weekend and holiday travel in and out of LAX is the primary driver of Metro K Line ridership.
Reading & Northern Railroad
The Reading & Northern Railroad Passenger Department on July 13 celebrated its 40th anniversary. Four decades have passed since the inaugural passenger train operated over the original 13-mile Blue Mountain & Reading Railroad from Temple to Hamburg, Pa. Today, the railroad’s Passenger Department is a busy as ever, overseeing multiple trains every week for most of the year.
The Reading & Northern Railroad was formed in 1983 by Andy Muller, Jr. as the Blue Mountain &
Reading to haul freight over a little-used Conrail branch line that was once part of the Pennsylvania
Railroad Schuylkill Valley branch. Freight revenues in those early years were meager, RBMN said. “Naysayers scoffed at the prospect of this privately-owned enterprise achieving even remote success.” In 1985, the Blue Mountain & Reading attracted national attention by introducing steam- and diesel-powered passenger excursions over its route; and eventually, special all-day excursions over Conrail main lines. Steam locomotives #425 and #2102 were the star attractions of the Blue Mountain & Reading.
These Temple-to-Hamburg excursions continued into the mid-1990s. “As the new decade dawned, a
massive opportunity from Conrail knocked,” RBMN said. They had announced their intention to sell the “Anthracite Cluster,” consisting of approximately 120 miles of branch lines located in the coal
regions of Schuylkill County. On the heels of the success of the Blue Mountain & Reading Railroad,
Conrail sold these lines to Muller; and in December 1990, the new Reading Blue Mountain &
Northern Railroad—or Reading & Northern for short—was born.
As the 1990s progressed, freight traffic became an enormous source of revenue for the railroad, as
the company worked tirelessly to restore rail lines that were, in many cases, on the verge of
abandonment, RBMN noted. Passenger trains were gradually relegated to a small handful of occasions. While many excursions operated over the newly acquired lines of Reading & Northern, the newfound success in the freight business overshadowed them. Steam locomotive #2102 was sidelined in 1991, #425 would follow a few years later.
All of that began to change in 2005 with the introduction of the Lehigh Gorge Scenic Railway in Jim
Thorpe, Pa. A several years long effort to reactivate an idle railroad bridge just west of the town
with the goal of linking Reading & Northern’s Reading and Lehigh divisions to expedite freight
movements over what had become an over 300-mile rail system finally resulted in success in 2003.
“With this reactivation, opportunity knocked yet again and regularly scheduled LGSR passenger trains
originating from historic Jim Thorpe, Pa., commenced operation on Memorial Day weekend 2005,” according to the railroad.
The LGSR was a success right from the start, RBMN said. With it firmly in place as a true tourist attraction on the Reading & Northern Railroad, the revival of passenger service began. Excursions to the town became more frequent, operating mostly from Port Clinton but also from northern locations such as Duryea and Mountain Top. “As the passenger business continued its exponential growth, it quickly became clear that the administration was outgrowing its humble corner of railroad headquarters in Port Clinton,” RBMN said. In 2015, Reading & Northern purchased the historic former Reading Company passenger station in Schuylkill Haven, Pa., and moved its passenger operations in, where it resides to this day.
New passenger stations have been established at North Reading (Outer Station) and Pittston (Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Regional Railroad Station) and are huge draws for their respective areas. Passenger trains now operate round trip every weekend, ten months of the year, from these stations to Jim Thorpe. Upgrades have been made to Tamaqua Station; and with the acquisition of the former KME/REV Group property in Nesquehoning, a new station has been established on its grounds. Perhaps most astonishing about this, RBMN says, is the fact that tickets for Reading & Northern’s all-day excursions have remained at the same price point for much of the last 40 years.
“The remarkable success of the passenger department since 2005 led to the restoration of steam
locomotive #425 in 2007,” RBMN said. “It made several appearances on the LGSR and Reading & Northern main line excursions through 2022. #425 is currently undergoing its 15-year rebuilding and its return is eagerly anticipated by steam fans and employees alike.” In 2016, Muller proceeded with the restoration of steam locomotive #2102. After 31 years of inactivity, #2102 returned to the rails of the Reading & Northern in May 2022 with the rebirth of the Iron Horse Rambles from Reading Outer Station to Jim Thorpe. In August 2022, a memorable double-header excursion with #425 was operated over the same route.
“Steam-powered trains remain the greatest attraction on the Reading & Northern Railroad; yet the entire spectrum of passenger excursion offerings draw visitors from anywhere imaginable,” RBMN noted. As one curious car host recently discovered, the LGSR hosted guests from as far away as Ecuador, The Philippines, and Uzbekistan. “In 40 years, Reading & Northern passenger trains have gone from the local spotlight to the worldwide stage. The hard work by its dedicated employees, under the leadership of Mr. Muller and family, has ensured that the passenger department will continue to be a worldwide phenomenon for the next forty years and beyond,” RBMN said.
