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Industry Briefs

Metra Tests Real-Time ­Information Screens — Metra commuter rail in Chicago has begun testing new real-time travel information digital screens at downtown and suburban stations. The 55-inch, high-resolution digital screens provide real-time train arrival and departure information, notices of train service disruptions, weather information, public service information such as Amber Alerts and other emergency information.

SamTrans Breaks Ground in San Carlos — The San Mateo County Transit District (SamTrans) recently began construction on the San Carlos Multimodal Transit Center Project, located on the west side of the railroad corridor at the site of the existing San Carlos Caltrain Station. The project will transform an existing parking lot at the Caltrain station into a multimodal transit center that will improve safety and accessibility among SamTrans fixed-route buses, Caltrain commuter rail, local shuttles, pedestrians and bicyclists.

Cincinnati Metro Introduces New Commuter Buses — Cincinnati Metro recently added 22 new commuter-style buses to service on four express routes. Amenities in the new vehicles include high-back reclining seats, charging ports and outlets for laptops and phones, and larger windows.

Reno’s RTC Introduces ‘Token Transit’ App — The Regional Transportation Commission of Washoe County, Reno, NV, debuted Token Transit, a free Apple and Android app that enables customers to buy their bus passes on their phones. App users can also use their smartphone screen as a bus pass, eliminating the need for a paper ticket or cash fare.

COTA Live Updates Available on Google Maps — Passengers on the Central Ohio Transit Authority (COTA) in Columbus now can access live departure and arrival times, as well as service alert information, through Transit on Google Maps. This trip planning option is accessible through Google Maps on a desktop computer or through the Google Maps app available for download for Apple and Android devices.

STV Designs Maintenance Facility in Worcester, MA — An $84 million, 150,000-square-foot vehicle maintenance, storage and operations facility designed by STV recently opened in Worcester, MA, for the Worcester Regional Transit Authority. STV included bioswales, catch basins and other elements to deal with building in a floodplain and remediation and cleanup of the 11-acre site, designated as a brownfield for past industrial uses.

Big Blue Bus Discounts Youth Pass — The Big Blue Bus in Santa Monica, CA, is offering its 30-day youth pass at a discounted price of $19 under a two-year pilot program approved by the Santa Monica City Council as a way to encourage ridership among young people.

Chicago RTA Launches Procurement ‘E-Portal’ — The Regional Transportation Authority (RTA) in Chicago has introduced an online, interactive procurement portal, or “e-portal,” designed to make the procurement process easier and more transparent for vendors. The new e-Bid procurement software offers self-registration, vendor database management, electronic bidding, review of proposer/bidder submissions, contract management and tracking of Disadvantaged Business Enterprise vendor payments.

Download Miami-Dade App, Win a Free Trip — The Miami-Dade Department of Transportation and Public Works is giving complimentary one-day public transit passes to the first 2,017 customers who download the free EASY Pay Miami smartphone app by Jan. 31.

Dayton’s ‘RideTime’ Upgrades Bus Tracking — The Greater Dayton (OH) Regional Transit Authority (RTA) recently introduced “RideTime,” which offers texting, call-in and online features along with an app to provide riders with reliable and accessible bus tracking options. RideTime is part of RTA’s $13 million investment to upgrade its on-board technology across the fleet.

VIA Expands Pass Access to Trade Schools — VIA Metropolitan Transit in San Antonio is adding trade schools to its Semester Pass program, which allows students to take unlimited rides on the system’s buses through July 31 for $38.

Agencies Provide Free Wi-Fi on Board — Several public transit agencies have begun making free Wi-Fi available on board their vehicles, including Knoxville (TN) Area Transit, the Jacksonville (FL) Transportation Authority and LYNX in Orlando, FL.

Delaware Transit Corporation Partners with Dover Air Force Base— The Delaware Transit Corporation is working with Dover Air Force Base to improve and expand a DART First State bus route to improve access to points of interest along the route, adding new stops on the base. “At Delaware DOT, we’re all about making connections between employees and employers, customers and businesses and members of the community,” said state Transportation Secretary Jennifer Cohan.

LANTA Receives Environmental Award — The Lehigh and Northampton Transportation Authority (LANTA), Allentown, PA, recently received the Greater Lehigh Valley Chamber of Commerce’s Energy and Environment Award in honor of the partnership between LANTA and the city of Easton, PA, to develop the Easton Intermodal Transportation Center, which also houses the new City Hall.

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