Light Rail

Group of officials cutting purple ribbon.

Phoenix Light Rail Extension Opens Two Years Early

Valley Metro’s Northwest light rail extension brings the Phoenix light rail system to a total of 30 miles.

January 30, 2024 - ABC 15 (Phoenix)

Red San Diego Trolley light rail train at station with passengers walking on platform and Spanish-style dome building in background.

San Diego Trolley Nation’s Most Popular Light Rail

The system's ridership benefited from an extension project and free transit for youth.

November 30, 2023 - Axios

White and blue Kansas City streetcar at a station with LIberty Memorial column in background.

The Variable Benefits of Streetcars

An analysis of several streetcar systems shows that they bring different benefits based on a community’s goals.

November 28, 2023 - Smart Cities Dive

Trinity Railway Express train painted with Texas flag at station in Dallas, Texas.

Revitalizing Texas: Sustainable Rail Solutions

An argument for why investing in trains is the key to sustainable growth and economic success in the Lone Star State.

November 8, 2023 - Mustafa Haque

White and blue Sound Transit light rail train on elevated rail in Seattle, Washington.

Seattle Needs More Railcars

Sound Transit needs more cars to accommodate its ridership, particularly during special events and peak times.

October 31, 2023 - The Seattle Times

Aerial view of Omaha, Nebraska downtown.

Omaha Streetcar Breaks Ground

The city aims to bring back its once-extensive streetcar network.

September 26, 2023 - Omaha World-Herald

Aerial view of Atlanta BeltlLine greenway with yellow umbrellas

New Study Commissioned for Atlanta BeltLine Transit

The study will assess alignment options for a 13-mile segment of the greenway.

September 12, 2023 - Urbanize Atlanta

White Dallas light rail car with Dallas skyline in background

Dallas Nixes Subway Plan

A proposed subway line was removed from DART’s 20-year plan, with the agency citing low ridership projections and local opposition.

August 18, 2023 - NBC DFW

View from above platform in D.C. Brutalist subway station with people waiting on platforms

D.C. Leads the Nation for Transit Recovery

Ridership on the region’s rail systems is rebounding faster than other major transit systems.

July 9, 2023 - Greater Greater Washington

A system map of Skyline Mail, which circumvents the city of Honolulu.

Skyline Rail, Now Serving Honolulu

In a historic day for public transit, Skyline Rail, a project once deemed the worst transit project in the United States due to extreme cost overruns and construction delays, finally opened to the public at the end of June.

July 2, 2023 - The Honolulu Star Advertiser

Map of proposed Baltimore Red Line transit line alignment with white boxes showing open questions

Details Start to Emerge for Revived Baltimore Red Line

The long-awaited east-west transit line is moving forward with support from a new governor, but still has a long road ahead.

June 22, 2023 - Greater Greater Washington

rendering of red light rail tran at crowded station platform

Texas Attorney General Calls Project Connect Funding Scheme Illegal

The massive transit project’s unique funding scheme could run afoul of state law.

May 23, 2023 - Austin American-Statesman

Rendering of white Honolulu light railtrain speeding past landscape

Honolulu Light Rail to Open in June

The city’s first light rail line will finally begin service after more than a half century of planning.

May 18, 2023 - Hawaii Public Radio

White VTA light rail train passing by historic building in downtown San Jose, California

San Jose Rail Extension Clinches Final Funding Piece

The new line will expand rail service to more communities in the South Bay.

April 26, 2023 - The Mercury News

Rendering of blue light rail train and people walking around train station in Austin, Texas

Austin’s Project Connect Faces More Hurdles

Two proposed bills in the Texas state legislature call for more voter oversight of the mass transit project, which could imperil the transit expansion approved by voters in 2020.

April 25, 2023 - KXAN

Denver Rail

Denver-Area Rail Service Disruptions Expected During Maintenance Work

RTD is beginning maintenance on retaining walls along its southeastern light rail lines that is expected to last roughly six months.

April 4, 2023 - The Denver Post

St. Louis Metrolink

St. Louis Train Expansion Planning Receives Federal Funding

The Bi-State Development Agency received roughly $7.4 million for efforts to expand the city’s MetroLink train system.

March 28, 2023 - St. Louis Post-Dispatch

Metro Los Angeles

Inland Empire Cities Cry Foul on Light Rail Funding

Cities in San Bernardino County are questioning California state funding processes that failed to allocate any state dollars to an inland rail extension, opting instead to fund more ‘splashy’ L.A.-area projects.

February 15, 2023 - San Gabriel Valley Tribune

MARTA bus with Atlanta skyline in background

Atlanta Proposed Rail Line to Become Bus Rapid Transit

MARTA officials argue that bus rapid transit will be faster and more cost-effective than the originally proposed light rail option.

February 15, 2023 - BizJournals

Golden sunset view of New York City subway train on elevated track with Empire State Building in background

The U.S. Lags in High-Quality Transit Investment

While other countries are boosting investment in their light and heavy rail systems, transit projects in U.S. cities have slowed, signaling diminished commitment to transit expansion.

January 25, 2023 - the transport politic

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