Brightline
Brightline on March 31 reported that riders this spring and summer can receive a 20% discount on its passenger rail tickets and a $100 food and beverage credit at Loews Miami Beach and Loews Coral Gables when booking a two-night stay.
The oceanfront Loews Miami Beach Hotel and Loews Coral Gables are 5.6 miles and 6.2 miles, respectively, from Brightline MiamiCentral. Riders can reserve a stay and then visit the Brightline City Guide to plan local activities.
Brightline covers 235 miles between Miami and Orlando (see map above). It launched the first phase of its South Florida operations in 2018, connecting Miami, Fort Lauderdale and West Palm Beach. Stations in Boca Raton and Aventura opened in 2022. Construction of its 170-mile, $6 billion phase two extension from West Palm Beach to Orlando began in 2019 and service launched in September 2023.
“There are so many reasons to ride Brightline to Miami for a getaway, and the Loews Miami Beach and Loews Coral Gables are equally beautiful retreats to call home for a much-needed escape,” said Barbara Drahl, Senior Vice President, Marketing and Commercial Strategy at Brightline. “This new partnership makes a weekend of luxury even more enticing. We look forward to connecting families, couples and friends to these two award-winning properties.”
“At Loews Miami Beach and Loews Coral Gables, we’re always looking for innovative ways to elevate the guest experience,” Loews Hotels Complex Managing Director Mutluhan Kucuk added. “As a proud part of the Miami community, we’re excited to connect our premier hospitality with Brightline’s fast and sustainable travel options, making the guest journey effortless from start to finish. Together, we’re redefining what it means to explore South Florida in comfort and style.”
Earlier this year, Brightline partnered with Canada’s Porter Airlines to offer travelers a special promotion, and with Driftwood Hospitality Management on cross-promotional marketing.
CTA
CTA on March 31 held a groundbreaking ceremony for an accessibility project at Austin Green Line Station, as part of its All Stations Accessibility Program (ASAP), which serves as a blueprint for making all rapid transit stations fully accessible by 2038 and for upgrading or replacing existing system elevators.
The original street-level station at N. Austin Boulevard opened in 1899 and has not been upgraded since it was rebuilt in 1962. Beginning in June, CTA said, the main entrance of the Austin Green Line Station will be closed for the start of major project work, which is expected to continue into early 2026. Work will include the installation of a new elevator and escalator connecting to the platform; reconstruction of the stairs and a new ADA-compliant ramp; extension of the platform; and other station improvements. During this time, riders will continue to have access to rail services using the station’s auxiliary entrance.
Funding for this project was sourced through the federal government’s Surface Transportation Program (STP) and Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker’s Rebuild Illinois Capital Plan. According to CTA, STP funds provided $20.3 million and Rebuild Illinois provided $5.3 million for a total project budget of $25.6 million.
Currently, 70% or 104 of CTA’s 146 rail stations are ADA accessible.
Austin Green Line Station is among the 14 stations currently funded and in various stages of planning, design, or under construction, according to CTA.
Phase One of ASAP is fully funded at $423.5 million and will be completed by 2027, according to the transit authority. Those stations include:
- Blue Line: Montrose, California, Racine.
- Green Line: Austin.
- Loop: State/Lake (CDOT-Led Project).
- Red Line: Argyle, Berwyn, Bryn Mawr, Lawrence (Red Purple Modernization Program).
Phase Two ASAP projects are currently 45% funded, according to CTA. The total projected budget for this phase is $617.5 million. Those stations include:
- Blue Line: Irving Park, Belmont, Cicero, Pulaski, Austin
- Green Line: Oak Park, Ridgeland
- Red: North/Clybourn
The CTA has not yet received funding for stations in Phases Three and Four of the project.
CTA has also secured $37 million in funding for elevator replacement and/or modernization efforts. Work is currently under way to complete an inventory of elevator conditions, CTA said, so construction packages can be put together for future project work.
“For too long, inaccessible CTA rail stations have limited opportunities to those in the communities we serve,” said Nora Leerhsen, who earlier this year was named CTA Acting President. “The start of this project work is the first major milestone in the year ahead for CTA’s All Stations Accessibility Program, which will include the opening six newly accessible rail stations across the City—and demonstrates our commitment to making public transit work for everyone.”
Separately, CTA in February unveiled the final designs for the blocks under the new Red Line tracks and teamed with E-Squared to inspire future engineers in Chicago Public Schools. Also, the Federal Transit Administration in January inked a Full Funding Grant Agreement with CTA to support the Red Line Extension project.
PANY/NJ
Alstom on April 1 reported signing a seven-year contract extension with PANY/NJ to provide operations and maintenance services for JFK International Airport’s AirTrain. The contract, booked during the fourth quarter of Alstom’s 2024/25 fiscal year, is valued at approximately $518 million and includes an option for three additional years.
The JFK AirTrain system connects all passenger terminals to airport parking lots, the hotel shuttle pick-up area, rental car center, and NYC’s public transportation network at Jamaica and Howard Beach stations, where passengers and airport employees can connect with the MTA New York City Transit, MTA Long Island Rail Road, and public buses.
Under the agreement with PANY/NJ, Alstom will be responsible for ensuring the nine-station AirTrain is running 24/7 and for maintaining the vehicle fleet, station doors, guideways, power distribution systems, car wash, signaling system, and facilities. The fleet comprises 32 automated light metro trains, which range in size from one to four cars based on passenger demand.
The JFK AirTrain in 2024 served nearly 25 million passengers; average daily ridership was more than 68,000 travelers and airport employees and average system availability was 98.56%. The project includes more than 230 employees, including 59 customer service agents to assist passengers.
“We are proud of our ongoing partnership with the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey and JFK International Airport,” said Michael Keroullé, President of Alstom Americas. “Since 2003, our industry-leading airport system has safely and reliably transported millions of travelers and employees between terminals. As JFK’s partner of choice, Alstom is excited to support the modernization and expansion of AirTrain service at one of the world’s busiest airports.”
“As we extend our partnership with Alstom, we strengthen our commitment to providing world-class service for the millions of travelers who rely on JFK Airport’s AirTrain each year,” added Teresa Rizzuto, General Manager of JFK International Airport. “This long-standing collaboration goes beyond operational efficiency; the AirTrain plays a key role in reducing traffic congestion and enhancing connectivity for passengers. The Port Authority looks forward to continue working with Alstom on JFK AirTrain, a critical piece of JFK’s infrastructure, and one that also fosters sustainability, local job creation, and community development. We also encourage all our customers to consider using JFK AirTrain to avoid construction-related traffic while we rebuild the airport.”
PANY/NJ in 2020 renewed its services contract with Bombardier (acquired by Alstom in 2021). The original supplier had been operating and maintaining the system since it opened in December 2003.
