This is an ongoing series that will keep you informed about the goings-on in the transit industry. Hopefully, it will provide little perspective on the larger environment in which DART operates.

Masks remain a way of life on buses and trains; Amtrak sets its sights on a new vision; and from Chicago to Austin, transit agencies are saying “welcome back.” Read on for this week’s transit news.

Keep the mask
Reuters reports that the CDC’s recent lifting of mask guidelines for fully vaccinated people does not extend to public transportation. Passengers on planes, trains and buses will still need to mask up for the time being. The takeaway:

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) on April 30 extended face mask requirements across U.S. transportation networks through Sept. 13 to address the spread of COVID-19. TSA says transportation system operators have reported almost 2,000 passengers for refusing to wear a face mask since requirements took effect Feb 1.

A TSA spokeswoman said Thursday "we will continue to work closely with the CDC to evaluate the need for these directives."

The Dallas Morning News shared that these guidelines, of course, include DART.

Amtrak considers new tracks
Amtrak is looking at an expansion in Ohio that would connect Cleveland, Columbus, Dayton, and Cincinnati for the first time since 1967. Furthermore, according to this article in Progressive Railroading:

The proposed "3C+D" corridor is one example of example of the up to 160 communities in over 25 states that Amtrak envisions being able to serve over the next 15 years under its proposed expansion dubbed “Connect US.”

You can see a cool map of Amtrak’s vision for the future here.

Tickets go mobile, agencies welcome back riders
In other transit news: 

• Minnesota's Duluth Transit Authority is the latest to go mobile with its ticketing.
• Central Ohio Transit Authority in Columbus enhances its existing mobile ticketing app.
• Chicago Transit Authority welcomes riders back with a new campaign.
• Austin's Cap Metro is back at full capacity on all vehicles except Metro Access.

This is an ongoing series that will keep you informed about the goings-on in the transit industry. Hopefully, it will provide little perspective on the larger environment in which DART operates.

Masks remain a way of life on buses and trains; Amtrak sets its sights on a new vision; and from Chicago to Austin, transit agencies are saying “welcome back.” Read on for this week’s transit news.

Keep the mask
Reuters reports that the CDC’s recent lifting of mask guidelines for fully vaccinated people does not extend to public transportation. Passengers on planes, trains and buses will still need to mask up for the time being. The takeaway:

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) on April 30 extended face mask requirements across U.S. transportation networks through Sept. 13 to address the spread of COVID-19. TSA says transportation system operators have reported almost 2,000 passengers for refusing to wear a face mask since requirements took effect Feb 1.

A TSA spokeswoman said Thursday "we will continue to work closely with the CDC to evaluate the need for these directives."

The Dallas Morning News shared that these guidelines, of course, include DART.

Amtrak considers new tracks
Amtrak is looking at an expansion in Ohio that would connect Cleveland, Columbus, Dayton, and Cincinnati for the first time since 1967. Furthermore, according to this article in Progressive Railroading:

The proposed "3C+D" corridor is one example of example of the up to 160 communities in over 25 states that Amtrak envisions being able to serve over the next 15 years under its proposed expansion dubbed “Connect US.”

You can see a cool map of Amtrak’s vision for the future here.

Tickets go mobile, agencies welcome back riders
In other transit news: 

• Minnesota's Duluth Transit Authority is the latest to go mobile with its ticketing.
• Central Ohio Transit Authority in Columbus enhances its existing mobile ticketing app.
• Chicago Transit Authority welcomes riders back with a new campaign.
• Austin's Cap Metro is back at full capacity on all vehicles except Metro Access.

This is an ongoing series that will keep you informed about the goings-on in the transit industry. Hopefully, it will provide little perspective on the larger environment in which DART operates.

Masks remain a way of life on buses and trains; Amtrak sets its sights on a new vision; and from Chicago to Austin, transit agencies are saying “welcome back.” Read on for this week’s transit news.

Keep the mask
Reuters reports that the CDC’s recent lifting of mask guidelines for fully vaccinated people does not extend to public transportation. Passengers on planes, trains and buses will still need to mask up for the time being. The takeaway:

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) on April 30 extended face mask requirements across U.S. transportation networks through Sept. 13 to address the spread of COVID-19. TSA says transportation system operators have reported almost 2,000 passengers for refusing to wear a face mask since requirements took effect Feb 1.

A TSA spokeswoman said Thursday "we will continue to work closely with the CDC to evaluate the need for these directives."

The Dallas Morning News shared that these guidelines, of course, include DART.

Amtrak considers new tracks
Amtrak is looking at an expansion in Ohio that would connect Cleveland, Columbus, Dayton, and Cincinnati for the first time since 1967. Furthermore, according to this article in Progressive Railroading:

The proposed "3C+D" corridor is one example of example of the up to 160 communities in over 25 states that Amtrak envisions being able to serve over the next 15 years under its proposed expansion dubbed “Connect US.”

You can see a cool map of Amtrak’s vision for the future here.

Tickets go mobile, agencies welcome back riders
In other transit news: 

• Minnesota's Duluth Transit Authority is the latest to go mobile with its ticketing.
• Central Ohio Transit Authority in Columbus enhances its existing mobile ticketing app.
• Chicago Transit Authority welcomes riders back with a new campaign.
• Austin's Cap Metro is back at full capacity on all vehicles except Metro Access.