Mass Transit - 10

PEOPLE & PLACES
A RENDERING of
a surface-level
Purple Line station.

THE LASTEST INDUSTRY NEWS
them to job centers, hospitals, community centers and schools. COTA//Plus will
serve more than a dozen neighborhoods
in south Columbus including the Brewery District, Deshler Park, Driving Park,
Garden Village, German Village, Green
Acres, Hungarian Village, Innas Millbrook,
Merion Village, Old Oaks, Reeb-Hosack,
Southern Orchards, Stambaugh-Elwood
and Vassor Village.
MassTransitmag.com/21164110

MDOT MTA

Settlement reached for Maryland's Purple Line
The state of Maryland and the Purple Line Transit Partners have reached
a $250-million agreement that provides a path forward to deliver the
beleaguered 16-mile light-rail project. The agreement between Maryland,
Meridiam, Star America and Fluor marks the end to the current round
of litigation between Purple Line project parties and will be presented
to the Board of Public Works (BPW) in December for review and approval. In addition to the financial settlement, Fluor will not be part of
the public-private partnership moving forward with the Purple Line
Transit Partners P3 Agreement, which is proceeding with Meridiam
and Start America as developers and equity partners. Maryland Gov.
Larry Hogan called the agreement a major step toward completing " a
transformative project. "
MassTransitmag.com/21164229

ing terminal with a smaller, modern,
ADA-compliant terminal and bridge.
Once completed, the new terminal will
create a seamless Riverfront connecting
Audubon Aquarium to Spanish Plaza.
Construction is anticipated to be completed by Summer 2022.
MassTransitmag.com/21161868
NORTA

OFFICIALS BREAK ground for the Canal
Street ferry terminal project.

New Orleans RTA breaks ground on
new Canal Street ferry terminal
▶ The

New Orleans Regional Transit
Authority (RTA) held a groundbreaking
ceremony for the new $43.5-million
Canal Street ferry terminal project. It
marks the start of a two-year redevelopment project replacing the exist-

10 |

COTA launches fourth COTA//
PLUS zone in south Columbus
▶ The Central Ohio Transit Authority
(COTA) launched its fourth COTA//PLUS
zone on Nov. 23, which brings new
on-demand microtransit service to south
Columbus. COTA//Plus is an app-based
service that operates either as a pointto-point rideshare or as a connection to
or from a COTA transit line. COTA//Plus
South Columbus provides first-last mile
connections for customers, connecting

Mass Transit | MassTransitmag.com | DECEMBER 2020/JANUARY 2021

Omaha Metro

OMAHA METRO began service on its
ORBT line on Nov. 18.

Rapid transit arrives in Omaha
with launch of ORBT
▶ The

Transit Authority of the City
of Omaha (Omaha Metro) launched
its Omaha Rapid Bus Transit (ORBT)
service Nov. 18, which connects riders to and from downtown Omaha on
the " game-changing " transport mode.
From boarding at elevated platforms to
real-time bus arrival updates and bus-only
lanes, ORBT riders will experience a
smooth, efficient and safe journey to and
from downtown Omaha. It is the region's
official introduction to bus rapid transit
technology and a step toward a more
connected transportation future. ORBT
will intersect with almost all existing
Omaha Metro routes, increasing efficiency across the system. A free, dedicated
Park & Ride lot is available at the Westroads Transit Center, where ORBT
connects with other Omaha Metro routes.
It is designed to enhance area mobility
options, including access to the trail system, proximity to bike share stations and
the ability for riders to bring and safely
store bicycles on board the bus.
" This is a historic day for the Omaha
community, " said Lauren Cencic, Omaha
Metro Transit CEO. " ORBT is the most
significant Omaha transit investment in
decades. We look forward to connecting
more people in our community to education, employment and daily activities with
this new, safe, efficient transit option. "
MassTransitmag.com/21163118

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