MBTA
MBTA on July 16 celebrated the newly renovated Winchester Center Station on the Lowell Commuter Rail line (download map below). Now fully accessible, the station had not seen major repairs since the 1950s, according to the transit authority.
The station was closed for repairs in 2021 and construction started in 2022. It has been partially open since September 2024.
Key station improvement work included:
- Reconstruction of two ramps and three new elevators to provide two fully accessible paths of travel to each platform.
- A fully accessible, raised platform to accommodate longer nine-car Commuter Rail trains.
- Upgraded canopies, signs, railings, and lighting for safety and security.
- A updated public information system that broadcasts information both audibly and visually.
- Added benches, a bike storage room, and other amenities for comfort and convenience.
- Updated walkways, sidewalks, and a parking lot area along Laraway Road.
- New generator back-up and full emergency lighting back-up.
According to MBTA, Bus Route 134 is anticipated to reestablish a stop at Winchester Station on August 24, 2025.
“I want to thank the entire MBTA workforce, our contractors, and our state and local elected officials for their commitment to delivering a station that is modern, safe, state of the art, and fully accessible to all riders,” MBTA General Manager and CEO Phillip Eng said. “This is another important step forward in building a more inclusive transit system—one station at a time.”
“The Commuter Rail is a great resource for every community we serve,” commented Abdellah Chajai, General Manager and CEO of Keolis Commuter Services, who starting this fall will move to Keolis Group as Executive Director of Marketing, Innovation, Sustainable Development, and Engagement. “The T has done tremendous work at Winchester Center to ensure that all of our riders can access the Commuter Rail and take full advantage of the service.”
ARTM
ARTM has awarded British company Masabi a contract for the development and implementation of a new ticketing system, as part of the Concerto project, what the agency calls “a major transformation initiative aimed at modernizing the public transit customer experience.”
“The Concerto project represents a complete and progressive transformation of the entire ticketing system in the metropolitan region,” said ARTM, which is responsible for planning, organizing, developing, financing and promoting public transportation services for the Montreal metropolitan area. “Several deliverables are already available or are being deployed. Notably, since 2024, users have been able to top up their OPUS card via the Chrono app, with nearly one in two purchases made using this feature. In addition, the ARTM is currently conducting testing phases for the launch of virtual transit tickets on smartphones. In the next phase, credit and debit card payments will be gradually introduced, allowing customers to pay directly with their bank card or mobile device.”
The project involves updating more than 12,000 pieces of equipment and includes several key partners: Société de transport de Montréal (STM), Réseau de transport de Longueuil (RTL), Société de transport de Laval (STL), exo, and the City of Montreal.
According to ARTM, the project is within the approved budget of C$146 million, including contingency funds.
“Inter-organizational coordination is central to the project’s success,” ARTM reported. “In addition, a deployment strategy without service interruption has been adopted to anticipate risks and ensure team alignment.
“Today’s [July 16] announcement marks an important step in the adoption of modern software approaches to implementing fare payment systems,” Masabi CEO Brian Zanghi said. “By opting for a SaaS model rather than a cumbersome and rigid traditional approach, the ARTM will be able to offer continuous and regular innovation at a much lower cost. We are delighted to welcome ARTM to our customer network, which includes major cities around the world, and we look forward to delivering a state-of-the-art fare collection system that will delight riders at a reasonable price.”
LACMTA
Metro Transit (LACMTA) Ambassadors in Los Angeles, represented by Teamsters Local 986, have voted to ratify their first collective bargaining agreement, according to the union. The four-year agreement, it reported July 16, includes “comprehensive medical benefits, a pension, workplace protections, seniority rights, and additional paid leave.”
The LACMTA Board signed off on the collective bargaining agreement, which took effect July 1.
Metro Ambassadors assist riders with various needs and report any issues they observe, which is said to contribute to a safer and more pleasant transit experience. According to LACMTA, a 2023 rider survey found that the visible presence of Ambassadors contributes to the perceptions of safety. Sixty-three percent of survey respondents who reported having seen Ambassadors stated that seeing made them feel safer. That number increases to 66% among women and among people earning less than $25K a year, 68% among people Hispanic/Latinos and people under the age of 18 and 70% among Asian/Pacific Islanders.
The 400 new Teamsters currently work for private transportation contractors who provide service for the city but will be transitioned to working directly for LACMTA later this month, the union reported. The transit agency is beginning the process of building an in-house Ambassador department.
“Congratulations to Metro Transit Ambassadors on their first-ever Teamsters contract,” said Chris Griswold, Secretary-Treasurer of Local 986. “Not only does this contract include strong economic benefits, but it will transition a pilot program [started in 2022] into a permanent career opportunity providing job security to hundreds of workers.”
