Phoenix debuts final stage of the PHX sky train
Just in time for the busy holiday travel season and next year’s Super Bowl, Phoenix celebrated the opening of the final stage of the PHX Sky Train. The long-awaited 2.5 mi extension connects the terminals with the Rental Car Center and adds two new stations – the Rental Car Center Station and the 24th Street Station. Trains arrive and depart every three to five minutes 24 hours a day. [internationalairportreview.com]
FTA grants $686M for transit station accessibility
The Federal Transit Adminstration has announced approximately $686 million in grant funding for accessibility upgrades at transit stations across the United States. The grants represent the first round of funding under the new All Station Accessibility Program, or ASAP, part of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. They will go to 15 projects in nine states including Connecticut, Illinois, Massachusetts, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, and Washington state. [trains.com]
Houston Metro glimpses first of 14 new-get LRVs
The Metropolitan Transit Authority of Harris County (METRO), based in Houston, Texas, has debuted the first of 14 new fourth-generation (H4) light rail vehicles (LRV). These vehicles will run on the METRORail Red Line, which operates in and around downtown Houston. The new cars have an open seating plan and almost four feet of aisle space to improve passenger flow and better accommodate wheelchairs, strollers and bicycles. [railway-news.com]
Atlanta set for 224 new MARTA rail cars in 2025
MARTA has debuted plans for the roll out of its new rail cars. With amenities like cell phone charging ports and luggage space, the project will attempt to move Atlanta’s public transportation rail system into the 21st century. The new railcar bodies were constructed by Stadler in Hungary and are on their way to Salt Lake City to be outfitted before returning to Atlanta to go into service in 2025, a year before Atlanta plays host to a round of the 2026 World Cup. [theatlantavoice.com]
