Transit Briefs: Caltrain, STM, PANYNJ/PATH, Montreal REM, Minn. Metropolitan Council, Honolulu TOD

Caltrain

Caltrain announced Nov. 14 that it had more than 753,000 passengers on its newly electrified service last month, marking a 54% increase from October 2023.

Average weekday ridership stood at nearly 27,000, a 38% increase from last October. Additionally, current weekend ridership has overtaken pre-COVID levels, with Saturdays seeing a 169% increase and Sundays a 142% increase from last October. 

Comparing August to October—the last month of primarily diesel service vs. the first month of all-electric—total ridership increased by 17%, with average weekend ridership growing by 38%. In a typical year, monthly ridership begins to decline after August; this year, it’s increased by more than 100,000 riders. 

“When we broke ground on the Electrification Project back in 2017, we set out to deliver a state-of-the-art modern rail system for the people we serve,” said Michelle Bouchard, Caltrain Executive Director. “It is immensely gratifying to see our riders embrace our new service on this scale. If you haven’t experienced the future of transportation for yourself yet, find out what everyone has been talking about.”

Caltrain’s historic Electrification Project was the first undertaking in North America in a generation in which diesel trains and their infrastructure components are transitioned to an electrified system. This year marks the 160th anniversary of San Francisco-San Jose rail service which began during Abraham Lincoln’s presidency.  

STM

STM announced Nov. 14 that it is releasing its 2025 budget, which totals C$1.8 billion.

Thanks to the efforts of its partners, the STM says it is able to “present a balanced budget and confirm that the current level of service will be maintained in 2025.” The 2025–2034 capital expenditure program, also released on Nov. 14, details investment needs of C$25.8 billion, with C$10.7 billion earmarked for métro asset maintenance so that the STM “can continue to offer safe, reliable services and extend the lifespan of its infrastructure and equipment, especially in the métro network,” according to the agency.

“I would like to commend all public transit stakeholders, who, in recent months, have worked tirelessly to address the funding challenges. Solutions involved a greater municipal contribution, the 2025 financial framework signed with the Quebec government, and the increase in the motor vehicle registration levy by the CMM,” said STM CEO Marie-Claude Léonard. “These measures, together with our significant spending cuts, have allowed us to maintain our current level of service. That being said, we are far from our ideal scenario of expanding our services to make public transit even more appealing,” she added.

Highlights of the budget include:

“A balanced budget: The STM has committed to capping its growth in spending to three percent annually for five years, starting in 2026. This has already been achieved for 2025, with a spending increase of only 0.2% compared to the 2024 figure.

“In addition, for the first time since the pandemic, the STM closed its fiscal year without a revenue shortfall to be made up in the coming year, meaning a balanced budget in 2025.

“The budget increase is primarily the result of a concerted effort to improve passengers’ sense of safety in the metro by hiring security employees and maintenance employees. Another C$5 million was allocated to the maintenance of AZUR cars to ensure their long-term viability.

“Continued optimization: Last year, the STM committed to reducing recurring expenses by C$100 million over the next five years without impacting service levels. Of this target, a total of C$36 million in savings has already been achieved. The STM will continue its commitment by generating an additional $16 million in recurring expense reductions in 2025.

“Same service offering. The STM will cover just as many kilometers in 2025 as in 2024, a tremendous accomplishment given the current financial context. But with ridership currently at some 1.1 million trips per workday, the STM wants to go even further and increase its service offering to maintain the appeal of public transit and meet growing customer demand.”

“Asset maintenance remains the most pressing need detailed in the capital expenditure program. Keeping our existing infrastructure safe and in good working order should be considered a precondition for any further development of the public transit network,” said Chair of STM’s Board of Directors Éric Alan Caldwell. “Of the $10.7 billion in investments required, only $800 million is currently included in the Québec Infrastructure Plan (QIP). This is critical since implementation depends on investments being including under the QIP,” he adds.

The shortfall in investments earmarked for métro asset maintenance is already close to C$6 billion, according to STM. Indexed investments of C$560 million for métro infrastructure alone are needed to keep the deficit from growing. That sum does not include the money needed for rolling stock, related infrastructure, and the surface network.

 Here are additional highlights from the capital expenditure program in terms of investments needed:

• C$7.2 billion for the Blue line extension.
• C$10.7 billion for asset maintenance, with $3.5 billion to start replacing MR-73 cars and related infrastructure.
• C$1 billion for universal accessibility projects.
• C$5 billion to electrify the bus network.

“Important decisions need to be made soon to make sure the metro can continue to take Quebecers where they need to go and help the province’s economy thrive. We are in active discussions with our funders to find sustainable solutions. The goal is to rebalance available funding over time, prioritize the most critical asset maintenance projects, and continue to advance other important initiatives, including the electrification of our bus network,” said Caldwell.

PANYNJ/PATH

PANYNJ on Nov. 14 announced the proposal of a new reduced fare program for customers with disabilities using the PATH system. The 50% fare reduction would match the reduced fare program currently available for senior riders. If approved, riders could begin applying for the program in spring 2025, with the reduced fare implemented in the summer as PATH continues rolling out its TAPP tap-to-pay system.

The proposed reduced fare program is another step in PANYNJ’s agenda to continue improving the PATH system, the agency noted. Those efforts have included the PATH Improvement Plan, which aimed to increase the system’s capacity and reduce delays through new railcars, signal upgrades and track work. PATH riders have also “enthusiastically” taken to the new TAPP fare payment system, providing a seamless payment option with the tap of a contactless debit/credit card, smartphone or wearable device, according to PANYNJ. Comprehensive work is also ongoing around the $430 million PATH Forward program, which focuses on improving the speed, reliability and passenger experience on the system.

The proposal marks the first time PANYNJ will offer a reduced PATH fare for people with disabilities. Reduced fares are currently available for senior riders, 65 years of age and older, through the Senior SmartLink Card.

Montreal REM

Work in the Mont-Royal Tunnel is progressing, and dynamic tests are going well on the Deux-Montagnes and Anse-à-l’Orme branches, according to CPDQ Infra’s latest update on the Montreal REM project. As a result, the company is targeting fall 2025 for the next commissioning of the REM. 

Cars have already been circulating on the Deux-Montagnes and Anse-à-l’Orme segments for a few weeks at commercial speed. The precise timing of commissioning will be determined based on the success of the next steps outlined in the following plan:

Winter 2025 

• Prepare tracks to roll out testing across the network.
• Finalize work in the Mont-Royal Tunnel.
• Progressively migrate operations from the temporary control center in Saint-Eustache to the permanent control center in Brossard.

Spring 2025

• Start testing in the tunnel and across the network.

Summer 2025

• Ramp up testing across the network.

Fall 2025

• Conduct dry run.
• Commissioning.

Starting in 2025, branch integration tests will require necessary modifications to the REM service. In January, service will be interrupted earlier in the evening on weekends. From February to April, service will be interrupted for entire weekends. In April, there will be interruptions on weeknights. Lastly, a shutdown of four to six weeks will be required during off-peak periods in summer 2025 to allow us to ramp up testing and finalize the integration, followed by commissioning in the fall.

These service interruptions between Brossard and Gare Centrale, CDPQ Infra says, have been planned around peak and high traffic periods to allow the conducting of the work and testing necessary to integrate all branches, while limiting the impact on customers. With its transit partners and the Ministère des Transports et de la Mobilité durable, CPDQ Infra says it will put in place a temporary service plan that will meet the needs of  riders throughout this transition period.

More information on the REM project is available here.

Minn. Metropolitan Council

In November, the Metropolitan Council approved several changes aimed at simplifying and lowering transit fares starting on Jan. 1, 2025. Key changes include:

• Making full-priced fares on all Metro Transit’s non-express buses and light rail $2 all day, every day. Youth, seniors, and Medicare recipients will be able to ride Metro Transit’s non-express buses and light rail for $1 all day, every day.
• Reducing the cost of Metro Transit’s All-Day and 7-Day passes that benefit riders planning to take multiple trips. All-Day Passes will cost $2 to $4 and 7-Day Passes will cost $20.
• Allowing Metro Mobility-certified riders to ride Metro Transit and other regional transit providers for one-cent fares through June 30, 2025. The pilot program will inform future fare policy discussions.

Later in 2025, people who qualify for the Transit Assistance Program (TAP) will pay $1 fares for up to two years before needing to re-apply. TAP eligibility is based on income.

“Making transit easier to use is key to growing ridership, and we believe simplifying fares will help do just that,” Metro Transit General Manager Lesley Kandaras said. “These changes also support our belief that cost should not be a barrier for those who want or need access to our services.”

More than 926,000 more rides are expected to come as the result of the fare changes next year, offsetting some of the cost associated with lowering fares, according to the Metropolitan Council.

Through the end of September, Metro Transit has provided more than 35.8 million rides, an 8% increase compared to the same time last year.

The fare changes, Metropolitan Council says, come as Metro Transit prepares for its first systemwide upgrade of fare collection equipment in 20 years. That upgrade will occur over the coming years and eventually allow riders to purchase fares by tapping their mobile phones or credit cards. 

Honolulu TOD

The City and County of Honolulu has been awarded a $2 million grant from the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) as part of a 2024 Pilot Program for TOD Planning, which is funded by President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL). Honolulu’s award was the highest of the 10 grants awarded nationwide, selected from a pool of competitive applications.

This funding, the City says, will support Honolulu’s efforts to activate TOD plans and the delivery of affordable housing in higher-density TOD-zoned areas around Skyline stations.

Funds from this grant will be used to examine opportunities for enhancing community access to public transportation, infrastructure, and climate resiliency improvements in the Iwilei-Kapālama community, anchored by the future Niuhelewai and Kūwili rail stations.

In addition, grant funds will be used to explore redevelopment opportunities to support affordable housing around Kūwili rail station consistent with the City’s acquisition of Iwelei Center in January 2024.