North America News

Latest news and developments from North America region

• Capstone receives order from DesignLine for Denver RTD electric bus fleet

  April 11, 2013
  California-based manufacturer of micro-turbine energy systems, Capstone Turbine Corporation, has received an order for thirty-four liquid fuel C30s batteries for use in DesignLine’s Eco Saver IV range extended electric buses.

• PHX Sky Train opens at Phoenix airport [free access]

  April 11, 2013
  Arizona’s Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport has opened the USD1.58 billion PHX Sky Train.

• Rockefeller Foundation provides bus grants to four US cities

  April 10, 2013
  New York-based Rockefeller Foundation has granted USD1.2 million for constructing bus rapid transit (BRT) systems in Boston, Chicago, Nashville and Pittsburgh.

• California HSR to require operating subsidies, receives five bids

  April 10, 2013
  The California high-speed rail (HSR) is likely to need between USD124 million and USD373 million a year in operating subsidies once its core line is completed.

• New Flyer receives CNG bus contract from Sun Metro of El Paso

  April 9, 2013
  Canada-based New Flyer Industries announced that Sun Metro of El Paso, Texas, has awarded it a contract for the supply of up to 202 Xcelsior compressed natural gas (CNG) heavy-duty buses.

• Chicago Transit Authority reveals Green Line upgrade plan

  April 8, 2013
  The Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) is investing USD20 million on the southern Green Line on Chicago's L rapid transit system to improve track and stations.

• First Transit awarded operations contract by PRTC

  April 8, 2013
  First Transit, a provider of transit management and contracting services, has been awarded a new transit operations contract by the Potomac and Rappahannock Transportation Commission (PRTC) in Woodbridge, Virginia.

• Chicago Transit Authority to upgrade wireless communication

  April 5, 2013
  The Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) is planning to modernise its wireless communication network and increase mobile services in the city's subways and underground facilities.

• MCI and Prevost win bus orders from Greyhound

  April 4, 2013
  Greyhound Lines has placed its largest bus order in more than 20 years for 220 new buses from two manufacturers: Motor Coach Industries (MCI) and Prevost.

• Westshore being studied as public transit hub

  April 4, 2013
  Westshore, the principal business district of Tampa, Florida, is being studied as a potential future hub for the region’s public transit system.

• MMTA launches new online ticketing site for commuters

  April 4, 2013
  Maryland Mass Transit Administration (MMTA) has launched an online ticketing site for commuters.

• GO Transit added 25 new double-decker buses to fleet

  April 3, 2013
  Toronto-based GO Transit has incorporated 25 new double-decker buses to its fleet.

• Nashville opens second BRT Lite route [free access]

  April 1, 2013
  Nashville Metro Transit Authority has launched a new express-style bus route for the Murfreesboro Pike corridor, a line that serves the fast-growing Antioch area.

• New Flyer wins bus contract from Phoenix Public Transit Division

  April 1, 2013
  Canada-based New Flyer Industries announced that the City of Phoenix Public Transit Division has exercised options assigned from a New Flyer contract with another Arizona transit agency, for 120 40-foot low-floor compressed natural gas (CNG) buses.

• Orange County Transportation Authority changes disabled-access bus programme operator

  March 27, 2013
  California’s Orange County has switched operators for its disabled-access bus programme.

• PHX Sky Train to open at Phoenix airport in April 2013

  March 26, 2013
  Arizona’s Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport is set to open the USD1.58 billion PHX Sky Train on April 8, 2013.

• TTC to spend USD700 million upgrading infrastructure for new streetcars

  March 26, 2013
  The Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) has earmarked USD58 million for streetcar platform and curb modifications, along with USD110 million for new overhead wiring, bringing the cost of getting its system ready for a fleet of sleek new vehicles to nearly USD700 million.

• Illinois selected to lead multi-state high-speed rail procurement in US

  March 25, 2013
  The US Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) has selected the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) to lead the procurement of high-speed rail locomotives on behalf of the states of Illinois, California, Michigan, Missouri and Washington.

• Masabi receives funds to accelerate deployment of mobile ticketing systems in US

  March 25, 2013
  UK-based mobile ticketing developer Masabi has received USD2.8 million in funding from US-based Fontinalis Partners, along with UK-based MMC Ventures to accelerate the deployment of mobile ticketing systems by US transit agencies.

• Edmonton Transit awards bus contract to New Flyer

  March 25, 2013
  Canada-based New Flyer Industries announced that Edmonton Transit has approved the purchase of nine Xcelsior diesel 40-foot heavy-duty buses.