Transit Unplugged Weekly News Minute with Julie Gates

⚽ The FIFA World Cup 2026™ - Canada, Mexico and the United States is just three months away — and transit across North America is getting ready to move the fans. The Federal Transit Administration is investing $100M to support host cities.

🚌 In Canada, TransLink plans to add 600 extra bus trips every day to keep things moving.

❄️ And in New Jersey… a giant “snow mountain” at a Port Authority Transit Corporation station has turned into a fun guessing game online. When will it melt? The winner gets a $20 train pass.

🚍 In this week’s #TransitUnplugged News Minute with Julie Gates…

🇨🇦 Canadians are pushing back against proposed $5B transit funding cuts, warning of major impacts on riders and communities.

🚌 The U.S. Federal Transit Administration announces nearly $390M in grants for buses and transit facilities.

✊ Transit agencies marked Rosa Parks’ 113th birthday, highlighting her lasting legacy and the importance of transit equity.

🏆 Congrats to the American Public Transportation Association #AdWheel Awards winners — including Transit Unplugged’s Think Transit Executive Summit taking first place 👏

🎙️ This NewsMinute is brought to you by Modaxo.

Change at the top — Marc Molinaro steps down after just six months as Administrator at the Federal Transit Administration (FTA).

🇨🇦 Hitachi Rail announces a nearly $30M investment to build a new Canadian headquarters in Toronto. hashtag#HitachiRail

💳 Seattle’s Sound Transit and ORCA fare system roll out tap-to-pay, allowing riders to use credit cards, debit cards, and digital wallets for easier access.

🚆 Calgary Transit begins installing automatic passenger counting sensors to improve service planning and better understand ridership demand.

🤖 In Atlanta, Glydways breaks ground on an autonomous, on-demand transit pilot using electric vehicles on dedicated guideways.

👕 And Amtrak leans into its cult following with limited-edition “trak suits” designed by students from the New York School of Design.

This Transit Unplugged hashtag#NewsMinute is brought to you by Modaxo

🏈 Seattle Transit breaks ridership records as fans flood the Seahawks hashtag#SuperBowl parade — with Sound Transit and King County Metro Transit carrying hundreds of thousands in a single day.

🚌 Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) is adding 100 new hybrid and battery-electric buses from New Flyer.

🚍 Atlanta’s MARTA (Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority) prepares to launch its first Bus Rapid Transit line this April.

🌆 Oklahoma’s regional system rebrands as One Transit.

🎉 Los Angeles Metro celebrates Lunar New Year with a limited-edition TAP card.

🎮 And in a fun twist — a Vancouver student recreated the SkyTrain in Roblox. TransLink

This Transit Unplugged hashtag#NewsMinute is brought to you by Modaxo.

💰 Congress approved the FY2026 THUD bill — including $16.5B for transit and $2.9B for rail.

📱 In Canada, Société de transport de Montréal is expanding its text-to-report safety service after receiving 25,000 rider messages in its first year.

📈 And the North Carolina Department Of Transportation says restoring rail corridors could generate over $1B for the state economy.

💘 Plus, BART is running a special “Valentraine” speed-dating event this weekend — because sometimes the best connections happen on board.

This Transit Unplugged News Minute is brought to you by Modaxo.

⏳ Federal transit funding for 2026 is still waiting on final approval, with a partial government shutdown already delaying some grants.

⚽ With the FIFA World Cup 2026™ - Canada, Mexico and the United States just 4 months away, the Kansas City region is launching new transit services to support host cities.

🏈 In the Bay Area, BART is boosting service for this weekend’s Super Bowl.

🎙️ This Transit Unplugged News Minute with Julie Gates is brought to you by Modaxo.

As millions face power outages and freezing temperatures across the U.S., transit agencies are stepping up when communities need them most:

🚌 VIA Metropolitan Transit offered fare-free rides to warming centres

🚌 St. Louis Metro Transit transported people to shelters

🚌 TARTA deployed stationary warming buses

💙 Huge thanks to every frontline transit worker.

🎙️ This Transit Unplugged hashtag#NewsMinute with Julie Gates is brought to you by Modaxo.

😂 BART is teaming up with SF Sketchfest to bring live comedy performances onboard trains. Yes — stand-up on public transport 🎧👏

🚍 For #MLKDay , many systems will run holiday schedules, with Los Angeles Metro and Houston Metro offering free rides to parades and events. Metropolitan Transit Authority of Harris County

🚇 Chicago Transit Authority is piloting activated carbon filters on railcars to reduce smoke and improve onboard air quality.

🚆 In Canada, the first new Northlander trainset has arrived — bringing passenger rail back between Timmins and Toronto later this year.

🗽 Metropolitan Transportation Authority says congestion pricing in Manhattan is working — less traffic, cleaner air, safer streets, and $550M already reinvested into transit

🇨🇦 Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) approves its 2026 budget with a third fare freeze in a row

🍎 IndyGo makes its Food in Transit programme permanent — supporting riders beyond the journey ❤️

🎥 All in this week’s Transit Unplugged hashtag#NewsMinute, brought to you by Modaxo.

🛡️New York City: Crime on the subway is at its lowest level in 16 years — a huge win for rider confidence and safety. Metropolitan Transportation Authority

🎟️ Boston: New fare gates are live at South Station, helping ensure fair payment and a more accountable system for everyone. MBTA

⚡San Francisco: A major accessibility milestone as the city launches its first fully-electric paratransit vehicle, pushing forward zero-emission goals San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency (SFMTA) Transdev

🏆Rider shout-outs: Transit App has announced its Rider’s Choice Awards

👏 Congrats to all bus operators and a special shout-out to C-TRAN, Metro Transit, and TriMet