Transit Briefs: SFMTA, VIA Rail, Brightline, MARTA, HART
SFMTA
SFMTA is establishing a working group “focused on ways to fund and cut spending at the financially strapped Municipal Transportation Agency” (Muni), San Francisco’s network of bus, light rail, streetcar and cable car services, according to SFBay.ca, a digital media startup covering the Bay Area.
Specifically, it will “address projected deficits ranging from $239 million to $322 million in the 2026 and 2027 fiscal years, according to a financial update to the SFMTA board of directors by Chief Financial Officer Bree Mawhorter,” the media outlet reported Sept. 8. The amount is dependent on “the state of the city’s economy, the flexible use of funds for operations and capital projects, and policy decisions by the board on implementing measures to make transit more efficient,” it noted.
Organized by SFMTA Director of Transportation Jeffrey Tumlin and the Controller’s Office, the group will comprise SFMTA Board Directors Steve Heminger and Fiona Hinze, as well as city supervisors, state transit experts, businesses, labor, and transit advocates, according to SFBay.ca. Their discussions will center on boosting transit efficiencies and generating new revenue, SFBay.ca reported, and could include “ideas to reduce service and programs.”
According to the media outlet, the November ballot will include Proposition L, which would “tax ride-hail and autonomous vehicle companies that operate in the city to fund Muni.” The tax, if passed by local voters, “could generate up to $25 million annually to help fund Muni operations.”
For more on transit systems and projected deficits resulting from the loss of “one-shot federal money” for operations following the COVID-19 pandemic, read Railway Age Contributing Editor David Peter Alan’s 12-part series, “Coming Soon: Transit’s Fiscal Cliff,” covering eight of the largest transit systems in the United States.
VIA Rail
The Montreal Gazette on Sept. 5 reported that Transport Minister Pablo Rodriguez gave VIA Rail 30 days to update its emergency management action plan and to “work with Transport Canada to institute an updated communications protocol.” This follows an Aug. 31 train breakdown that stranded riders for 10 hours on a Montreal-to-Quebec-City train, according to the newspaper, which noted that “they ran out of food, water and working toilets.” The train had experienced “two consecutive mechanical issues,” the newspaper said.
In addition, Rodriguez called for an independent investigation. “Via Rail must also explain how it intends to provide basic care of passengers (e.g., potable water, food, functioning toilets) and other services, such as a reliable access to telephone and internet connectivity, by looking at alternative solutions,” he said, according to the Montreal Gazette. The plan, he noted, should “clarify the level of compensation to passengers when such disruptive events occur.”
VIA Rail was said to have “addressed issues following similar disruptions during the 2022 holiday season,” but Rodriguez pointed out that plan “‘failed’ when tested” Aug. 31, according to the paper. VIA Rail in a statement said that “the length of time passengers were stuck on the train is ‘unacceptable,’” Montreal Gazette reported, and that “it will commission an independent review and has already started implementing various measures.”
According to the newspaper, “Rodriguez said in his letter he is ‘concerned that a breakdown happened with a new fleet,’ and wants ‘to be sure Via Rail is taking the right steps, including working with suppliers, to fix the problem.’”
VIA Rail in December 2018 awarded Siemens Mobilty a C$989 million (US$781.5 million) contract for 32 Siemens Venture trainsets. It reached a milestone on June 26, 2024, taking delivery of the 18th set.
Further Reading: VIA Rail Plots a Path for Transformation.
Brightline
Brightline on Sept. 9 reported partnering with Montreal, Canada-based AccesRail to make its train tickets available on major airline GDS (global distribution system) sales platforms for the first time. “Using booking code 9B, travel partners from around the world can now easily book rail segments [reserving seats] between South Florida and Orlando in a similar fashion to flights on all GDS systems including Amadeus, Sabre and Travelport,” according to Brightline. “The Brightline Orlando Station presented by Orlando Health is located directly within Orlando International Airport and shuttles to Miami International and Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International airports can now be booked for a seamless connection from respective downtown stations.”
AccesRail is described as a “distribution company enabling partner railways to distribute their products (point to point or passes) on a shared cost basis via the GDS primary screen using the same booking and ticketing method as airlines.” Partners include BritRail, Norwegian Rail, Swedish Rail, German Rail, Dutch/Belgian Rail, and Airport Express/Airport feeder trains. AccesRail products are sold worldwide in cooperation with airlines through interline agreements to meet the needs of travel agents for rail products, according to Brightline.
Brightline covers 235 miles between Miami and Orlando (see map above). It launched the first phase of its South Florida operations in 2018, connecting Miami, Fort Lauderdale and West Palm Beach. Stations in Boca Raton and Aventura opened in 2022. Construction of its 170-mile, $6 billion phase two extension from West Palm Beach to Orlando began in 2019 and service launched in September 2023.
Brightline in March officially announced the site for its new Treasure Coast station.
MARTA
The EPA has awarded Energy Star Certification to MARTA’s headquarters located off Piedmont Road in Atlanta, Ga. With an Energy Star score of 81, the building is said to be more energy-efficient than 81% of similar buildings nationwide.
This achievement was made possible through the implementation of LED lighting, upgraded HVAC systems, dedicated outside air systems, variable frequency drives, and magnetic bearing chillers, according to the transit agency that provide rapid transit, streetcar, bus, and paratransit services throughout Atlanta and its surrounding cities.
“MARTA is honored to receive the Energy Star for our headquarters, which reaffirms our commitment to energy efficiency and environmental protection,” MARTA General Manager and CEO Collie Greenwood said. “This award is a testament to our ongoing efforts to build a more sustainable future for our community.”
MARTA added that it was recently awarded the American Public Transportation Association Gold Level for its Sustainability Commitment Program for reducing water use by 40%, greenhouse gas emissions by 27%, energy use by 14%, and waste by 13%, over a seven-year period.
Separately, the transit agency earlier this month earned an AA+ credit rating from Fitch Ratings.
HART
The HART Board of Directors has approved a new three-year contract for Executive Director and CEO Lori Kahikina, HART reported Sept. 6. Effective Jan. 1, 2025, the contract provides for an annual salary of $336,000; Kahikina’s previous salary was $275,000, unchanged from January 2021. It also includes two, two-year options for extension.
Kahikina joined HART in January 2021 as interim Executive Director and CEO and has served since January 2022 in her current role.
Hitachi Rail in 2023 delivered the first 11 miles of “light metro” service to HART and the City and County of Honolulu Department of Transportation Services (DTS) under a 12-year DBOM (design-build-operate-maintain) contract. (HART and DTS maintain the civil works portion.) That segment includes nine stations from East Kapolei to Aloha Stadium (see map below).
Work on Skyline’s second phase is under way. Expected to be operational in late 2025, it will add 5.2 miles and four stations from Aloha Stadium to Middle Street-Kalihi Transit Center, incorporating Daniel K. Inouye International Airport. HART on Aug. 15 reported awarding Tutor Perini Corporation a $1.66 billion contract for design and construction of the third phase of Skyline; it will comprise six stations and approximately three miles of elevated rail guideway beginning just east of the Middle Street Transit Center Station and ending at the Civic Center Station, which will be located just east of the intersection of Halekauwila Street and South Street.
“Lori Kahikina has excelled in leading this complex transit project over the past few years, demonstrating her leadership through a collaborative, hands-on, and proactive approach,” said Board Member Roger Morton, Director of the Department of Transportation Services and Chair of the Permitted Interaction Group that negotiated Kahikina’s contract. “Her contributions have been significant for the City and County of Honolulu and its taxpayers. I’m pleased that we have reached this agreement, allowing us to continue our joint effort to complete the Skyline system to Downtown and beyond.”
“I want to thank the members of the HART Board’s Permitted Interaction Group for working with me to develop the terms of this contract, as well as the Board for approving this contract and placing their continued trust in me to lead HART,” Kahikina said. “As I’ve said before, I’m very passionate about this project and am so pleased we’ve come to this agreement. Many thanks to our stakeholders, the HART ‘Ohana, and the general public for their patience and support during this process. I’m extremely proud of all the accomplishments and good work that we, as a team, have achieved together and I look forward to many more momentous milestones.”
