Northlander
Early work construction is under way on the platform, parking area and passenger waiting area at the Timmins-Porcupine Station, according to a July 14 announcement by the Ontario government, which is reinstating Northlander passenger rail service between Timmons and Toronto with a rail connection to Cochrane (see map, top).
Last December, the government awarded EllisDon the contract to begin platform reconstruction at stops in North Bay, Temagami, Temiskaming Shores, Englehart, Kirkland Lake, Matheson, and Cochrane. Three separate contracts were awarded in May 2024 to design and manufacture nine new station shelters, improve track, and complete warning system upgrades along the Northlander alignment.
The Timmins-Porcupine Station, once completed by EllisDon, will offer accessible washrooms, varied seating and a ticket counter. Outdoor features will include an accessible platform, bus bays, parking, pedestrian pathways, a taxi stand, and a designated passenger pickup and drop-off area.
According to the Ontario government, work is also under way along the Northlander track “to adjust curves to ensure the train runs at higher speeds and with fewer disruptions.” While a service launch date has not been announced, the Northlander is slated to provide southbound service leaving from Timmins and northbound service leaving from Toronto, up to seven days a week, based on seasonal travel demands. There will be 16 stops in both directions, including a rail connection to Cochrane.
“The Northlander will fundamentally shift how people move across the province, creating more connections to the province’s integrated transportation network,” said Chad Evans, CEO of Ontario Northland, which will run the passenger rail service. “The Northlander will provide improved access to essential services, such as health care and education, while supporting economic prosperity and tourism in the region, strengthening the connection between the north and the south.”
The Ontario government in December 2022 awarded a C$139.5 million contract to Siemens Mobility for three trainsets in support of Northlander service. In April 2022, the government reported that it would invest C$75 million to revive the service and released an Updated Initial Business Case to advance planning of the preferred route.
NYMTA
New York MTA on July 14 announced improvements in ridership, performance and safety for the first six months of 2025, noting that they come as the agency “executes a historic capital plan.”
According to MTA, performance across New York City Transit (NYCT) in first-half 2025 was at “historic highs.” Weekday subway on-time performance was 83.7%, it said, 2.4 percentage points higher than the same time last year and “on track for the best non-pandemic year in recorded history.” Weekday subway delays are down 11% in 2025 compared with 2024, while weekend delays are down 14% percent, the agency said. Bus service delivery was above 95% each month of 2025, and bus speeds have improved over the first half of the year, “thanks in part to reduced gridlock following the start of congestion pricing,” MTA noted. In the biannual customer survey completed this spring, satisfaction for subways rose 8%, the agency reported, with satisfaction for local buses rising 11% and satisfaction for express buses rising 9% percent from fall 2024.
Ridership has also improved in 2025. First-half 2025 has seen record post-pandemic ridership for subways, buses and paratransit, according to MTA. In June, NYCT surpassed 106 million rides, up 10% from 2024. 2025 subway ridership is up 8% compared with 2024 and 31% compared with 2022. Ridership gains have continued, with the first post-pandemic July days to exceed four million subway riders reached on July 9 and 10, MTA said. Bus ridership has also grown in 2025, with ridership up 12% from 2024. Combined, buses and subways have carried more than 850 million riders in first-half 2025.
According to MTA, paratransit has continued to see ridership and performance gains. In June, it served 1.3 million riders on 904,000 completed trips—both above previous pre-Covid peaks—and delivered an on-time performance rate of 92% for the month. Customer satisfaction rates have stayed above 78% every month of 2025.
In June, Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) hit a new post-pandemic high for weekday riders by averaging 266,047 weekday riders, MTA reported. On June 18, the commuter railroad set a new single day post-pandemic ridership record, it noted, carrying 287,437 riders. LIRR carried 6.9 million riders in June, representing 89% of pre-pandemic ridership, which MTA said was “the best June since 2019.” Year-to-date ridership on LIRR is up 9% from 2024 and up 64% from 2022. According to MTA, LIRR also achieved the best June non-pandemic On-Time Performance in its history at 95.9%, up 1.4 percentage points from 2024.
On June 18, Metro-North Railroad carried nearly 259,000 riders, and its average weekday ridership for the month of June was 235,450. MTA said both were new post-pandemic highs. Year-to-date, Metro-North ridership is up 6% compared with 2024 and up 63% compared with 2022. Metro-North delivered an On-Time Performance rate of 98% in June. In the customer survey completed this spring, Metro-North received a satisfaction rating of 89%, up 4% from the fall 2024 survey, while satisfaction among LIRR customers was up 11 percentage points from same time last year, according to MTA.
New York City Transit President Demetrius Crichlow said: “NYC Transit is working hard to deliver fast, reliable, and safe service for riders and that determination is reflected in these historic On-Time Performance and ridership numbers. We’ll keep up the momentum and build on this success across Subways, Buses and Paratransit as we head into the rest of the year.”
LIRR President Rob Free commented: “Not only do riders have more service options than ever before, but we’re getting them where they need to go more reliably with record levels of On-Time Performance. The big gains we’ve made in customer satisfaction prove that riders are noticing our commitment to great service and we will work even harder to improve the customer experience.”
Metro-North Railroad President Justin Vonashek noted: “Riders are responding to the great service Metro-North is providing by choosing to take the train in record numbers. And we’ll continue to deliver safe and reliable service that they can count on.”
APTA
Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) in Texas and Pierce Transit in Washington State earned Gold and Silver awards, respectively, as part of APTA’s Sustainability Commitment program.
The program is a “voluntary initiative where public transit agencies and businesses pledge to implement practices that continuously advance environmental, social, and economic sustainability goals,” according to the association. Based on “measurable achievements,” it noted, organizations receive recognition at Platinum, Gold, Silver, or Bronze levels. Since the program’s establishment in 2009, 140 public transit agencies and businesses have signed on, with 51 signatories having reached higher-level recognition.
DART is advancing sustainability through strategic infrastructure upgrades and a long-standing commitment to clean energy, APTA reported in its July 15 awards announcement. “In 2021, DART completed an Investment Grade Audit (IGA) Report that laid the foundation for a more energy-efficient and environmentally responsible public transit system,” the association noted. “Guided by the IGA, DART implemented comprehensive energy-saving measures, including the installation of LED lighting across all buildings, rail station facilities, and parking areas. These upgrades were further enhanced with occupancy sensors and motion detectors, significantly reducing energy use—by as much as 40% in parking lots and garages. In 2022, DART took a major step toward climate responsibility by securing a new electricity contract sourced entirely from renewable energy. Within two years, DART transitioned to 100% renewable electricity for all facilities and light rail operations, reinforcing its leadership in sustainable public transit.
“DART’s environmental commitment extends to its bus fleet, which has operated on compressed renewable natural gas (CNG-RNG) for nearly a decade. By using 100% renewable CNG, DART buses produce 75% fewer emissions than gasoline or diesel-powered vehicles, contributing to cleaner air and a reduced carbon footprint across the North Texas region.”
According to APTA, Pierce Transit “has kept sustainability at the forefront of how it serves and engages with its community,” since piloting its first compressed natural gas (CNG) buses in 1986. “The agency has reduced its total emissions by 19% (adjusted for service levels) since 2017,” the association reported. “In 2018, Pierce Transit’s CEO issued Executive Order No. 1, committing to the use of green technologies and strategies. The agency’s 2024–2028 Strategic Plan prioritizes sustainability across its finances, infrastructure, and environmental practices.
“In 2022, Pierce Transit signed on to the FTA’s Sustainable Transit for a Healthy Planet Challenge and has since developed a Zero Emission Bus Transition Strategy and Green Fleet Strategic Objective to achieve 100% electrification of its revenue fleet by 2042. The agency’s Zero Emissions Coordinator collaborates with Maintenance, Finance, and Operations departments to explore new technologies and reduce the agency’s carbon footprint—efforts that include transitioning its diesel fleet to 100% renewable R99 diesel and its CNG fleet to RNG in 2023.
“Pierce Transit’s commitment to sustainability extends beyond fleet operations. Initiatives include recycling fluids and materials, coordinating employee transportation benefit programs with local businesses, opening a new fueling and bus wash facility that reduces wastewater by 90%, and installing energy-efficient lighting at its base and regional transit hubs.”
APTA President and CEO Paul P. Skoutelas commented: “APTA is proud to honor DART and Pierce Transit for their dedication to building a more sustainable future. DART’s Gold recognition and Pierce Transit’s Silver recognition reflect not only strong leadership but also measurable progress in reducing environmental impact and enhancing quality of life for the communities they serve. Their accomplishments help set the standard for what’s possible in sustainable public transportation.”
Separately, APTA last month reported the 13 North American organizations and leaders earning its annual awards for “vision, leadership and commitment to public transportation,” plus the induction of six new members into the APTA Hall of Fame.
