MDOT MTA
MDOT MTA on Aug. 19 launched “Rules of the Ride,” a new public awareness campaign grounded in a formal Rider Code of Conduct.
Developed in partnership with the agency’s Youth Transit Council, the Code “outlines clear expectations for rider behavior while on buses, trains and in stations.” The Code, the agency says, “is designed to foster a respectful and safe environment for everyone and enhance the overall transit experience.” Beginning Oct. 1, a new law (HB1144) grants the MTA the authority to suspend or ban individuals who violate the Code, particularly in cases involving physical or verbal assault. The enforcement process will be coordinated by MTA Police and includes documentation, formal notice and an opportunity for appeal.
The Rider Code of Conduct organizes expectations into three easy-to-understand categories:
- Courteous Conduct: Everyday respectful behaviors that contribute to a safe and comfortable environment for all passengers and employees, such as keeping seats accessible, speaking at a low volume, using headphones when listening to music or other content, and being mindful of others.
- Prohibited Conduct: Actions not permitted on buses or trains or in and around stations include smoking, vandalism, carrying concealed weapons, sexual harassment or disruptive behavior.
- Bannable Conduct: Any type of assault (physical or verbal assault, threats, sexual harassment, fighting) against an MTA employee, other passengers or anyone else on any MTA service or on MTA property is illegal and will result in a ban.
“We are serious about ensuring the safety of our riders and employees,” said Maryland Transit Administrator Holly Arnold. “Most people ride with respect every day. The Code of Conduct is about making sure everyone can count on a safe transit experience.”
Any rider that experiences a safety concern while using transit is encouraged to report it immediately to the operator or station attendant onsite or Maryland Transit Police at 410-454-7720. This fall, to complement the Code of Conduct, the agency says it plans to launch a mobile app that gives riders another reporting option with the ability to discreetly notify Maryland Transit Police, in real time, when safety issues arise during their trip. The app will be another component of the agency’s strategic plan to improve the overall customer experience, MTA noted.
The agency’s Youth Transit Council played a central role in the development of the Rider Code of Conduct and the creative direction of the Rules of the Ride campaign. This year’s cohort brought real-life perspectives, honest conversations and fresh ideas to the table. Their insights, the agency says, “helped ensure the Code is relatable, easy to understand, inclusive and resonates across generations.”
The new Rider Code of Conduct reinforces MDOT’s Serious About Safety initiative—an enhanced, department-wide initiative to drive safety goals and save lives. The MTA will publicize the new Rider Code of Conduct on the agency’s website, social media platforms, signage and announcements on buses and trains and at stations. The agency encourages all passengers to review the Rider Code of Conduct at the website mta.maryland.gov/safety or call the Transit Information Contact Center at 410-539-5000.
BART
As of Aug. 20, BART has become the Bay Area’s first Tap and Ride system, providing riders the ability to pay adult fares at BART fare gates using physical contactless credit or debit cards or mobile payments such as Apple Pay and Google Pay.
With Tap and Ride, riders will no longer need to use a Clipper card to ride BART. This, the agency says, will be an immense timesaver for riders who can now use their contactless bank cards to ride BART with zero registration or setup process required.
“Tap and Ride follows the installation of Next Generation Fare Gates, running only Fleet of the Future trains, boosting cleaning, and increasing our visible safety presence as efforts that are transforming the BART experience,” said BART General Manager Bob Powers. “This is an especially important innovation for out-of-town visitors and infrequent riders who may not have a physical or digital Clipper card and want a simple way to use our service.”
Tap and Ride functionality for BART riders marks the first step in the transition toward the next generation of the Bay Area’s Clipper® electronic transit-fare payment system being implemented by the Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC) and participating Clipper transit agencies. Contactless bank cards soon will be accepted by the nearly two dozen other Bay Area transit agencies that accept Clipper for fare payment. Once the next generation of Clipper is rolled out Bay Area wide, Tap and Ride will include all discounted fares and transfers between transit services.
“MTC and the Bay Area transit agencies will be rolling out a number of other improvements to the Clipper fare payment system in the coming months,” said MTC Chair and Pleasant Hill Mayor Sue Noack. “This early rollout of contactless bank card acceptance on BART is an example of MTC’s commitment to making transit fare payment easier for riders across the region.”
BART now accounts for about half of all Bay Area transit trips paid for using Clipper. In 2019, the agency retired paper tickets and began accepting only Clipper card fare payments.
NYMTA
Empower on Aug. 19 announced that the MTA has renewed its contract with the retirement services provider. The agency has been a client since 1988.
Empower says it will continue the plan administration for the MTA’s 401(k) and 457 defined contribution plans for approximately 124,000 participants with assets of approximately $10.3 billion of assets under administration.
“We are proud to continue working with the MTA, the largest transportation provider in the country, who millions of commuters count on every day,” said Empower President and Chief Operating Officer Rich Linton. “Empower has had a long-standing team of retirement plan advisors dedicated to the MTA’s public service employees to help them prepare confidently for their futures. Our economy and communities depend on them—so we want them to know they can continue to depend on us.”
The new five-year contract commenced June 1, 2025, and is in effect until May 31, 2030.
Nova Scotia
Nova Scotia is trying to “narrow in on a consultant” to study the potential for passenger rail in and around Halifax, according to a CBC report.
According to the report, the province issued a call on Aug. 19 for firms to express their interest, “acting on one component of a regional transportation plan that was released earlier this month.”
The step toward passenger rail is part of a broader effort “to address the transportation challenges and traffic congestion that are plaguing the province’s capital region,” CBC reported.
“Passenger and light rail has the potential to reshape travel for Nova Scotians by providing a safe, reliable and high-capacity form of transit service,” said Public Works Minister Fred Tilley in a news release.
Tilley said rail transit would be an ‘incredibly complex’ undertaking, and the study will ensure decisions are “researched, evidence-based and tailored for Nova Scotians,” according to the CBC report.
According to the report, the recently released regional transportation plan “suggests that the study should prioritize potential rail connections between Halifax, Bedford and Windsor, and Halifax and Lantz.”
The province said in its news release that the study “will evaluate possible rail corridors and advance conceptual designs,” CBC reported, It’s also meant to provide an evaluation of the different rail options and a long-term strategy for phasing any rail projects. The strategy should “support growth, network resiliency and strategic corridor preservation,” the news release said, according to CBC.
A public tender document posted for potential bidders notes that Nova Scotia has “geographic constraints,” that make high-capacity transit challenging. The constraints, the documents says, include steep grades, narrow corridors and heritage areas, according to the CBC report.
The regional transportation plan, CBC reports, “identified several other projects for study, including an intermunicipal bus service, a core street review of Halifax, a new harbor bridge and new ferry terminals.”
