Charlotte launches CityLYNX Gold Line streetcar
The Charlotte Area Transit System (CATS) in North Carolina has opened its CityLYNX Gold Line streetcar service. The streetcar will operate every 20 minutes from 5 a.m. to 2 a.m., seven days a week. The service will be fare-free until January 2022. The Phase 2 project extended the existing streetcar track by 2.5 miles on the east and west ends of the line, connecting the Historic West End to the Elizabeth neighborhood through uptown Charlotte. With the opening of the line, CATS will operate a fleet of five modern street vehicles. [progressiverailroading.com]
Santa Clara VTA light-rail service returns
Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) welcomed riders back to its light-rail system on August 29th. Service returned in time for football fans to use light rail to travel to Levi’s Stadium to watch the San Francisco 49ers win their game against the Las Vegas Raiders, 34-10. Service had been suspended since a May 26th shooting at the authority’s Guadalupe Yard where nine employees were killed. The light-rail service is operating fare free through September 12th and the authority says it will continue to return service on the Green and Blue Lines in phases. [masstransitmag.com]
Four companies bid to extend Miami Metrorail
Four companies have submitted bids to build an expansion of Miami’s Metrorail north to the Broward County line. Miami-Dade County’s Request For Proposals will now proceed through a Phase 2 evaluation culminating in the selection of a top bidder. The line, an elevated heavy-rail system known as the North Corridor, will begin at either Metrorail’s Northside Station or Martin Luther King Jr. Station. The line is currently planned to end at Northwest 215th Street, however Broward County has expressed interest in extending the line to Fort Lauderdale. [thenextmiami.com]
Tokyo – Osaka bullet train to debut telework cars
As Japanese companies increasingly embrace flexible work arrangements during the pandemic, an operator of bullet trains is adapting to accommodate passengers who choose to telework during the 2.5-hour trip between Tokyo and Osaka. Nozomi Shinkansen trains connecting the two megacities will have a designated “telework” cars starting in October, according to Central Japan Railway. Passengers will have increased Wi-Fi access at no charge. They will also be able to borrow USB chargers, privacy shields for computer screens, and miniature mice. [asia.nikkei.com]
