TEXRail
Trinity Metro TEXRail celebrated milestone ridership in December 2024 with a total 103,312 rider, representing the highest ridership month in the service’s history and a 25% increase from December 2023.
Trinity Metro attributes the ridership growth to many factors, including the safety and reliability of the service, as well as ease of use through simplified fares and newly enhanced schedules. The new schedules, implemented in early November, provide for 30-minute service for midday hours, seven days a week.
“Our people are what make the customers feel special. They truly love what they do and provide a warm welcome to anyone enjoying a ride on Trinity Metro TEXRail,” said Trinity Metro Vice President of Rail Reed Lanham.
“These incredible ridership numbers are a true testament to our partner cities who have embraced public transit and the benefits Trinity Metro TEXRail brings to their communities. With their signature holiday events and promotion of the rail service, we are connecting more people to life,” said Trinity Metro President and CEO Rich Andreski, “Riding TEXRail was part of the holiday experience, for many. With this kind of momentum and continued enthusiasm from our partners and customers, more big things are in store for Trinity Metro TEXRail. Let’s Ride.”
TriMet
Illegal drug use on board transit vehicles in Oregon, including on TriMet’s buses and trains, is now classified as a crime under the state’s Interfering with Public Transportation statute, the agency reported Jan. 7.
According to TriMet, the offense is now a Class A misdemeanor—the most serious of misdemeanors under Oregon criminal law—thanks to the implementation of Senate Bill 1553 on Jan. 1, 2025. Those found guilty face up to 364 days in jail, a $6,250 fine or both. TriMet and law enforcement partners with the Multnomah County District Attorney’s Office and Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office stood together on Jan. 7 to welcome the new effort to address the public use of illicit drugs.
“What sets this drug law apart from others is its focus on public transit,” said TriMet General Manager Sam Desue Jr. “We believe public transit merits distinct treatment due to the greater harm on board drug use causes, as you cannot simply move away from it. This new law is helping make public transit vehicles into ‘safe zones,’ where not only is drug use illegal, it comes with stiffer penalties.”
NJ Transit
NJ Transit announced Jan. 7 that it has signed the U.S. Department of Transportation’s (USDOT) Leaders Against Human Trafficking pledge and is launching a system-wide anti-human-trafficking awareness campaign. NJ Transit President & CEO Kevin S. Corbett signed the pledge on behalf of the agency at a ceremony in Newark Penn Station.
“By partnering with the USDOT and transportation agencies across the country, our collective efforts will help bring us closer to the goal of eliminating human trafficking,” said Corbett. “As New Jersey prepares to welcome visitors from around the world for the FIFA tournaments in 2025 and 2026, NJ TRANSIT is heightening our proactive measures designed to protect both visitors and residents to ensure these events are as safe and secure as they are memorable.”
The USDOT created the anti-trafficking pledge to help transportation agencies raise awareness of the issue and to communicate strategies to prevent trafficking. NJ Transit says it is increasing education on this issue ahead of several anticipated high-profile events in the coming months, including the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 this summer and FIFA World Cup 2026 next summer at MetLife Stadium. This campaign, NJ Transit says, is especially timely as major international events like the World Cup present increased opportunities for human trafficking amid the influx of visitors and heightened activity.
The coordinating awareness campaign, “Human trafficking isn’t always easy to spot,” encourages NJ Transit customers to report suspected incidents of trafficking, links potentially trafficked individuals with support, and educates the public about how best to intervene, the agency noted. This campaign is a collaboration between NJ Transit, New Jersey Office of the Attorney General and the New Jersey Transit Police Department. It is a part of NJ Transit’s existing RIDE KIND campaign.
Campaign elements will include:
- Informative “STALLS FOR SAFETY” stickers from the New Jersey Office of the Attorney General placed inside bathroom stall doors throughout NJ Transit’s system.
- Messaging displayed on station digital monitors and on printed posters placed in vehicles, stations and on NJ Transit social media pages.
- Two specially wrapped buses operating statewide throughout the month of January, which is National Human Trafficking Prevention Month.
- The campaign will be in English and Spanish, and all website copy is auto translatable into numerous other languages via desktop and mobile browsers.
MTI
MTI, in partnership with San Jose State University (SJSU), recently released a new study, “The Indirect Benefits of a Transit Apprenticeship and its Potential Value as a Flexible Postsecondary Pathway,” conceptualizing the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority’s Joint Workforce Initiative (JWI) strengths within the revival of non-degree credentials fueled by efforts like the California Guided Pathways Program.
The study (download below) identifies the JWI as a good candidate for pathways that lead to a degree. Drawing on guidelines for connecting job training with degree programs, the study details the importance of affordability, portability, and articulation and outlines how these features could be further developed in the JWI.
Amtrak
The FRA recently awarded a $21 million grant to Amtrak for the restoration of passenger rail on the Gulf Coast, according to a WPMI report.
According to the report, the Southern Rail Commission anticipates the two daily roundtrips between New Orleans and Mobile will begin in the coming months.
Last October, officials marked the groundbreaking for a new train platform in downtown Mobile and celebrated the return of passenger rail service.
Mobile city leaders approved a $3 million funding agreement last year to help pay for the service, with the Port Authority contributing $1 million of that.
“This substantial award represents a historic moment in our effort to restore passenger rail service to communities along the Gulf Coast,” said Chair of the Southern Rail Commission Knox Ross. “The grant allocation will supplement costs associated with the operation of two daily roundtrip services for the first three years of service. As a result, communities spanning Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama will benefit from increased mobility and connectivity. Undoubtedly, this grant allocation is not only a win for passenger rail service, but a win for the communities, economies, and countless residents and visitors across the Gulf Coast and beyond.
“The Southern Rail Commission is extremely grateful for our partners, especially Sen. Roger Wicker and his dedicated staff, who have championed the establishment of the R&E program, in addition to their continuous advocacy for passenger rail development and funding. Additionally, the SRC is grateful for the work by Transportation for America in steering the formation of the R&E program. This milestone would not be possible without their continued commitment to passenger rail service restoration and expansion.”
