MD gov-elect vows Baltimore Red Line revival
Maryland Governor-elect Wes Moore, says that one of his top transit priorities will be bringing Baltimore’s Red Line proposal back from the dead — and building it while he’s in office. Moore’s administration may get that opportunity. A line in the 2021 Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act that makes past proposals eligible for renewed consideration, mentions the Baltimore project by name. Just six months after taking office in 2015, outgoing Governor Larry Hogan canceled the project. [bloomberg.com]
Calgary Transit strategy to focus on frequency
A strategic update to a plan that will guide Calgary Transit for the next 30 years will include greater focus on the frequency of buses and trains over route coverage. The updated plan will “chart a new course” for Calgary Transit by shifting its focus to “building a frequent transit network that makes travel easier.” Among the most notable changes is a planned shift to a frequency-oriented network rather than a coverage-oriented network. [globalnews.ca]
NJ ‘Dinky’ train study prefers LRT/BRT hybrid
A new NJ Transit study has proposed rebuilding Princeton’s ‘Dinky’ line with a hybrid bus rapid transit (BRT) light-rail transit (LRT). The 4.3 km branch connects Northeast Corridor services with the university town. Ridership on the line is declining and its 45 year old Arrow III electric multiple-units are getting hard to maintain. After considering and rejecting several other options, the study recommends rebuilding the railway into a BRT route with embedded light rail tracks. [railwaygazette.com]
Phoenix granted $1M for South Central LRT proj
The City of Phoenix has received a $1 million grant from the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) to help implement the South-Central / Downtown Hub light rail extension Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) Community plan. The extension will run 5 mi between downtown Phoenix and Baseline Road. The South Central/Downtown Hub light rail line is expected to open in 2024. [azfamily.com]
