Caltrain
Caltrain on Aug. 26 issued the new schedule for fully electrified service between San Francisco and San Jose, Calif. All 23 Stadler Rail-built KISS bilevel EMUs (electric multiple-units) will enter service Sept. 21, allowing the regional/commuter rail agency to run faster and more frequent service, with 16 stations receiving trains every 15 to 20 minutes during peak hours, compared with seven stations today; weekend trains arriving twice hourly vs. hourly today; and express service from San Francisco to San Jose in under an hour, compared with 65-plus minutes today.
The schedule also features simplified service patterns, a new train numbering system, and an expedited transfer at San Jose Diridon for South County riders.
Service patterns will be simplified through the use of “clockface” schedules, according to the agency, which explained that trains will arrive at stations at regular intervals to make it easier for riders to remember, while also ensuring shorter wait times. Also, a new train numbering system will allow riders to determine “at a glance” what service pattern a train will follow, Caltrain said. Northbound trains will continue to be odd-numbered, while southbound trains are even-numbered. The numbers are: 100s (Weekday Local); 400s (Weekday Limited); 500s (Weekday Express); 600s (Weekend Local); 800s (South County Connector); and 900s (Special).
According to Caltrain, riders taking the South County Connector from stations south of Tamien can save up to 20 minutes thanks to the new schedule. South County riders will ride on the diesel trains to San Jose Diridon Station, where they will find a three-minute cross-platform transfer to one of the new electric trains. In the event of a late-arriving train, Caltrain said, connecting trains will be held at San Jose Diridon between two-to-five minutes to accommodate South County passengers, with the final South County Connector of the evening holding as late as needed to ensure no passenger is left behind. Caltrain said it eventually plans to replace this transfer by introducing battery-equipped electric trains into service that would run on overhead power in the electrified service areas and then use battery charge to travel off-wire on non-electrified track areas, leading to “fully zero-emission South County service.”
Caltrain’s electrified service is arriving two years later than planned. The regional/commuter railroad’s $2.4 billion Electrification Project is upgrading and electrifying its double-track system from the 4th and King Station in San Francisco to the Tamien Station in San Jose and replacing trains. Caltrain awarded Stadler a $551 million contract to supply 16 six-car EMUs in August 2016 with an option to extend these sets to seven-car trains exercised in December 2018. The 110-mph-capable trainsets were built at the manufacturer’s plant in Salt Lake City, and there are options worth $385 million under the original contract to supply up to 96 additional railcars. The EMUs will replace trains powered by F40 diesel locomotives—approximately 75% of Caltrain’s diesel fleet—which entered service in 1985. Its newer locomotives will be retained to operate the non-electrified Dumbarton extension and services south of Tamien.
The EMUs began rolling out earlier this month to serve Caltrain riders.
SEPTA
New Regional Rail timetables are effective Sept. 8, 2024, for all 14 SEPTA lines. Due to a “recruitment and training push that allows for expanded crews,” the agency will have an additional 99 weekend commuter trains to meet growing demand, according to a PhillyVoice report. Another 24 trains will be added to the weekday schedule.
“On weekends, the most notable schedule changes include the full restoration of 30-minute service between Philadelphia International Airport and Center City,” the media outlet said. “On most Regional Rail lines, hourly service also is being fully restored. … SEPTA also is adding more late-night and midday service on most lines. And to prevent overcrowding on trains during the middle of the week, SEPTA is adding railcars on select trains during peak times.”
Post-pandemic weekend ridership is now outpacing weekday ridership, and “as a whole, Regional Rail ridership is now at 67% of where it was before the pandemic,” according to the PhillyVoice. “The boost in service brings SEPTA back to 84% of its pre-pandemic capacity on weekends, up from 63% currently. For weekday service, the changes increase Regional Rail to 80% of pre-pandemic service levels, up from 77%.”
The service expansion comes as the agency faces a $240 million budget deficit, which “coincides with the end of federal support provided during the pandemic,” reported the PhillyVoice, which noted that in July “Pennsylvania lawmakers passed a budget that included an addition $51 million for SEPTA as a one-time increase in funding.”
“Despite this funding crisis, we cannot put critical investments in our system on hold,” SEPTA CEO and General Manager Leslie Richards said, according to the media outlet. “We must move forward with efforts to make our service more reliable for our riders who depend on us to get where they need to go.”
Separately, SEPTA earlier this month named Robert “Bob” Brown and Sarah Powell to the newly created roles of Deputy Chief Operating Officer–Cleaning and Deputy Chief Transformation Officer–Safety Culture, respectively. Also, the agency this summer awarded Hitachi Rail a contract to supply 200 new M5 rapid transit cars for the Market-Frankford Line in Philadelphia and announced the implementation of an enhanced safety plan for the 2024-25 school year, “continuing its commitment to ensuring the safety and security of students who rely on public transportation.”
WMATA
WMATA will reopen four Red Line stations—Glenmont, Wheaton, Forest Glen, and Silver Spring—on Sept. 1, marking the end of three months of rehabilitation work that was completed on the line while the Maryland Transit Administration built part of a new station mezzanine at Silver Spring for its Purple Line Project.
While Purple Line light rail work will continue at Silver Spring with scaffolding covering about one-third of the platform, WMATA said its Metrorail station will be open. During the summer, Purple Line crews built columns that will support a walkway from the Purple Line station over the tracks to the Metrorail Red Line platform.
Silver Spring will still be an active construction site for the Purple Line and the scaffolding will remain on site until 2027, when the 16.2-mile, 21-station Purple Line is slated to open. (The first CAF-built light rail train arrived in July.)
During the WMATA rehab project, the agency said its crews replaced 6,500 feet of rail, 6,000 feet of grout pads, 2,500 crossties, 1,000 fasteners, six switch machines, 12 train control processers, 650 insulators, 183 track signs, and 354 signs on mezzanines, platforms, and entrances; repaired 857 areas for leak mitigation and 72,000 square feet of tile joints, as well as sidewalks; restored 1,350 square feet of concrete; installed 102,000 feet of fiber optic cable for communications; cleaned 40,000 feet of track bed and 8,500 feet of drains; painted 12,700 square-feet of interior and exterior surfaces; and restriped parking and bus loop traffic directional arrows and crosswalks. Additional work included replacing automatic train control systems, installing traction power cables, replacing drain pumping stations, replacing the tunnel standpipe, and maintaining the elevators and escalators. WMATA said it also rebuilt an interlocking switch area between Fort Totten and Takoma before that stretch of track reopened in late June.
“Crews were able to complete the equivalent of eight months of weekend closures and disruptions into the summer construction period,” the transit agency said.
Later this year, WMATA is slated to install new digital Passenger Information Displays on platforms and station entrance digital screens at the Red Line stations. WMATA noted that “supply chain issues” held up installation during the construction window.
In Summer 2026, Medical Center and Bethesda stations will close to connect the Purple Line to the Bethesda Metrorail Station, according to WMATA.
In related news, WMATA’s Board of Directors recently approved a new four-year contract with Amalgamated Transit Union Local 689. Also, Railway Age recently published Contributing Editor David Peter Alan’s “Higher Fares, Service Cuts at WMATA” report, the sixth of a series on “transit’s fiscal cliff.” Click here to read it.
NJT
NJT on Aug. 26 launched a “Chance For Change” to provide a digital way for riders to donate to the Jon Bon Jovi (JBJ) Soul Foundation, Collaborative Support Programs of New Jersey (CSPNJ), and Volunteers of America Delaware Valley (VOADV), all of which provide direct assistance to people experiencing homelessness or substance use disorders or who have other social service needs.
The transit agency and the three organizations established the Chance for Change platform, which is accessible online and through QR codes available on posters at NJT facilities, digital advertising screens, on social media, and on the NJT mobile app.
“The Chance for Change program, developed in collaboration with our partner organizations, exemplifies NJT’s commitment to leveraging technology for the greater good,” said Kevin S. Corbett, President and CEO of NJT, which provides more than 925,000 weekday trips on 263 bus routes, three light rail lines, 12 commuter rail lines, and through Access Link paratransit service. “It’s a win-win-win—increased support for partner agencies, more help for those in need, and a safe, secure way for our customers to contribute.”
“Many customers who ride NJT urgently want to help when they see people in need,” NJT Police Chief Christopher Trucillo said. “Chance for Change is an ideal way for customers to ensure their contributions go directly into the hands of those who truly need and seek help.”
“The Jon Bon Jovi Soul Foundation has always believed that strong partnerships are the key to building strong communities,” said Jon Bon Jovi, Chairman of the JBJ Soul Foundation. “Coming together with New Jersey Transit Police Department, CSPNJ, and VOA to create the Chance for Change program, where each partner contributes their strengths to help those seeking assistance at NJT stations, will allow us to extend our reach even further. We are proud to join their efforts across New Jersey and to raise awareness of this program that will provide much-needed services at a time when many are struggling to make ends meet.”
“Volunteers of America Delaware Valley’s mission is to provide community-based assistance to populations in need and we are proud to partner with the New Jersey Transit Police Department, the JBJ Soul Foundation and CSPNJ on the Chance for Change program to do just that—providing services and support to those who need it most,” said Daniel L. Lombardo, VOADV President and CEO. “We believe in meeting people where they are, and Chance for Change will give us the opportunity to do so on an even greater level. Thank you to NJT for making this possible.”
“One of Collaborative Support Programs of New Jersey’s core values is ‘relationships as the means for growth and connection,’” said Pamela Baker, Deputy Director of Homeless Services. “As a peer-led agency, we take pride in using our lived experiences and a housing-first approach to empower others to seek support in the community to better their wellness and continue everyday with resilience on the forefront, together. We are so grateful to partner with the New Jersey Transit Police Department, Jon Bon Jovi Soul Foundation, and Volunteers of America on Chance for Change with the mission of providing compassionate, person-centered services to all that need it.”
Separately, NJT announced that it will offer a “transit fare holiday” from Aug. 26 through Sept. 2, 2024. Also, Forbes for the fourth consecutive year has included NJT on its America’s Best-in-State Employers list.
LACMTA
LACMTA’s TAP-to-Exit pilot program is expanding to the E Line’s Downtown Santa Monica Station on Sept. 3. Through the program, riders must tap their fare cards when exiting at stations to confirm the fare was paid and to open the fare gate. There is a seven-day grace period before citations are issued to riders who do not have a valid fare, according to the agency.
The program’s goal, LACMTA said, is to increase fare compliance and ensure that the system “is used for legitimate travel needs by our customers.”
The TAP-to-Exit program launched in May at the B Line’s North Hollywood Station. In the time since, LACMTA said it has seen “a notable increase in the number of customers paying fares, as well as a drop in crime and other issues reported” by riders via the agency’s Transit Watch app.
According to LACMTA, there will be staff at the Downtown Santa Monica Station to help riders purchase the correct fare and to answer any questions. There will also be staff from the agency’s Low Income Fare Is Easy (LIFE) program to help riders sign up for the reduced fare program, which provides unlimited free rides for the first 90 days and then 20 free rides each month to qualified riders.
After TAP-to-Exit is implemented at this station, LACMTA said it will expand the pilot to other end-of-line stations. Dates for that expansion are to be determined.
In addition to the TAP-to-Exit program, there were three other initiatives approved in July by the LACMTA Board that are expected to help improve public safety. The agency said it will expand its Elevator Open-Door pilot program from 21 elevators to 57. “Keeping the doors open when the elevators are not in use helps discourage illegal or unwanted activity in the elevators,” it said. “During this pilot, we’ve found that riders with strollers and bikes are having an easier time using the elevators—no more having to race closing doors. Equally important: We’ve also seen a drop in the number of times our cleaning crews are summoned to clean up big messes.”
The agency said it will also expand its smart restroom pilot program at up to 64 stations over the next four years. “In addition to our traditional restrooms at Union Station and several other locations, we launched our pilot restroom project last fall by partnering with Throne, a start-up firm that manufactures and operates restroom units that can be accessed via a code sent to cell phones,” LACMTA reported. “Throne restrooms—complete with running water and lights—have seen over 75,000 uses across 10 stations so far. The feedback we’ve received has been very positive.”
LACMTA noted that a lack of restrooms on its system, and other transit systems, “has been a long-standing rider complaint, and traditional public restrooms have often been subject to inappropriate activity that create new issues by trying to resolve one.” It said it is “pleased to be testing a quick-build, scalable solution that so far is offering our riders restrooms that are clean, comfortable, and safe.”
Lastly, the agency said it will pilot weapons detection systems at two rail stations starting later this year. “Although we believe very few overall riders carry illegal weapons, we don’t want any weapons on our system that could jeopardize [rider] safety,” LACMTA said. “We believe the presence of these detection units will serve as a deterrent and discourage individuals from bringing weapons onto our system.”
Meanwhile, LACTMA on Aug. 26 reported that the Lynwood Unified School District will again join the GoPass Program through a partnership with apparel and footwear retailer WSS. WSS’s sponsorship will provide each of the 11,386 students enrolled in the district with LACMTA’s GoPass, allowing them unlimited free travel to school, work, and leisure activities on trains and buses and on other participating municipal transit operator vehicles.
The GoPass program, launched in October 2021, was made permanent by LACMTA’s Board of Directors in April 2024 after a 2-1/2-year pilot. GoPass is available to students in K-12 and community college. All schools in the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) offer GoPass to their students, as well as schools in 124 participating school districts, including public districts, charter networks and community colleges.
GoPass participants can take unlimited free rides on LACMTA rail and bus, AVTA, City of Commerce Transit, Culver CityBus, Foothill Transit, Glendale Beeline, GTrans, LADOT DASH, LA County Shuttles, Long Beach Transit, Lynwood Trolley, Montebello Bus, Norwalk Transit, Pasadena Transit, Santa Monica Big Blue Bus and Torrance Transit.
The WSS-LACMTA-Lynwood Unified School District partnership “represents a significant step forward in supporting our local communities,” said Blanca Gonzalez, Senior Vice President and General Manager at WSS. “We are thrilled to contribute to the GoPass program, which plays a crucial role in providing students with the transportation they need to succeed both academically and personally. We believe that access to reliable transit options is essential for fostering educational and economic opportunities.”
“This unique approach demonstrates the power of public-private partnerships to deliver transportation in communities where access to affordable, convenient transit is a game-changer,” said Los Angeles Supervisor and LACMTA Board Chair Janice Hahn. “I’m grateful to the team at Metro and at WSS for making this connection and helping give these Lynwood students a leg up in getting where they need to go.”
