Skip to Main Content

News

To receive a daily email with new blog posts, news items, and upcoming events, or to include CommuterPage.com News in your RSS feed, see the Subscribe page.

Latest News

Video: Making transit better
A video from CNBC Marathon highlights the major problems facing U.S. public transit and outlines potential solutions. The video notes that many transit agencies face significant budget shortfalls that threaten to reinforce low ridership and even lower revenue.
Diana Ionescu, March 28, 2024, Planetizen
Want to lower your city's transportation emissions? Drive less
It is this kind of public policy, to address carbon emissions on a variety of fronts, that helps contribute to a region’s improved ranking. 
Skip Descant, March 27, 2024, Government Technology
Virginia plans for signs to alert Maryland drivers to new I-495 toll lanes
Six sign structures and accompanying power and communications utilities need to be built in Maryland so the upcoming I-495 Express Lanes can operate correctly, VDOT officials told the Commonwealth Transportation Board (CTB) at its March 19 meeting.
Angela Woolsey, March 27, 2024, FFXNow
Survey says: American walking data is getting worse
A recent shift in how the federal government measures Americans' travel behavior may have undercounted walking trips by more than half — and as transportation leaders look to that flawed data to make infrastructure decisions, it could have dire implications for the pedestrian of tomorrow.
Kea Wilson, March 27, 2024, Streetsblog USA
Farragut North K Street entrance reopens with new escalators
The K Street entrance of the Farragut North station is back open two weeks ahead of schedule. The entrance now has three brand-new, more reliable escalators and a repaired support beam.
March 27, 2024, WMATA
ATU Local 689 answers your questions
Fare collection is currently an important piece in how WMATA is funded, and many different people from across different socioeconomic backgrounds rely on public transit. 
Matthew Girardi/Ben Lynn, March 27, 2024, Greater Greater Washington
Biden says feds will help rebuild Baltimore's collapsed bridge
The bridge, on Interstate 695, carries tens of thousands of vehicles each day. Francis Scott Key Bridge, named for the writer of the national anthem, was opened in 1977.
March 26, 2024, TheHill.com
People on bikes can come together as advocates — no matter why they ride
Can sports cyclists and utility riders become a powerful coalition to make our streets better? This author argues they must.
March 26, 2024, Streetsblog USA
Wireless charging for electric transit buses: Here's how it works
Often, transit agencies charge their buses nightly with wired chargers when the vehicles return for cleaning and maintenance. But charging all those buses at the same time overnight puts a high demand on the local power grid. 
Dan Zukowski, March 25, 2024, Smart Cities Dive
Alexandria streamlining and improving King Street pedestrian zone planning
A report prepared for a Traffic and Parking Board meeting later today (Monday) said the city is looking at long-term plans for the pedestrian zones as well as incorporating the project into the broader waterfront flood mitigation plans.
Vernon Miles, March 25, 2024, ALXNow
After the eclipse, exodus of drivers could create a path of gridlock
On the roads, federal authorities are asking for the public’s help to avoid gridlock across several states.
Hannah Sampson, March 22, 2024, The Washington Post
WMATA's funding crisis will disproportionately hurt essential workers with disabilities
It’s a little-known fact that the federal government is supported by an essential workforce of nearly 37,000 people who are blind or have severe disabilities, including tens of thousands here in the DMV.
Karl Groninger, March 25, 2024, Greater Greater Washington
MTA bus riders may have to alter route plans due to $3.3 billion state transportation deficit
Several of the routes potentially impacted are in our area because commuter buses take riders to job centers in the Metro Baltimore and Washington, DC region.
Jessica Albert, March 24, 2024, CBS News
'There's so much room': Visitors react to Metro's newest 8000 Series rail cars
Metro is offering the public a sneak peek into its new 8000 Series rail car and zero-emission buses through the Fleet of the Future Expo, held on the National Mall from now through April 3.
Grace Newton, March 24, 2024, WTOP
Peek inside Metro's fancy new railcars
The biggest upgrade is an "open gangway" design that allows free movement between cars and mitigates overcrowding, plus more space to sit and stand.
Anna Spiegel, March 21, 2024, Axios
WABA's new crash tracker aims to improve road safety
The tool isn’t merely a database; it’s a call to action. It serves as a potent advocacy instrument that can be used to signal to local governments the urgent need to address the issues that cyclists and other vulnerable road users face daily. 
March 22, 2024, Fairfax Alliance for Better Bicycling
How to improve transit accessibility
Transit is a key factor in whether people with disabilities, the elderly, and other groups can access jobs, healthcare, and other amenities. 
Diana Ionescu, March 21, 2024, Planetizen
Metro enhances services and halts construction for cherry blossom travel surge
Additional trains will also be strategically placed throughout the system to assist with crowding, and additional buses will be on hand along key routes.

 
John Gonzalez, March 22, 2024, ABC7 News

Officials must act on promise to fix the region's Visualize 2050 transportation plan
This plan is important because it shows how the region’s transportation investments collectively succeed or fail in addressing important issues, and, under federal law, major projects must be in the plan to get built. 
Bill Pugh, March 21, 2024, Greater Greater Washington
Five rail transit projects receive federal grants to demonstrate new technologies
Grants fund demonstration projects for advanced technologies intended to improve transportation efficiency and safety in one of eight areas, as described on the SMART 2023 page on the DOT website.
March 21, 2024, Trains.com
Restriping of Stafford commuter lot delayed
The work is part of a $900,000 maintenance project at the Stafford lot along with the resurfacing of the Spotsylvania commuter lot on Houser Drive.
Scott Shenk, March 21, 2024, The Free Lance-Star
Doors opening. Step into Metro's Fleet of the Future now on the National Mall
The Expo is conveniently located near the Smithsonian National Museum of American History and National Museum of Natural History at 12th Street and Madison Drive NW. You'll find the Pop-Up Shop near the Expo on Seventh Street. 
March 20, 2024, WMATA
Here's how many citations DC transit police issued in first day of new fare evasion crackdown
Following the passage of the Secure DC omnibus bill, riders have to provide their ID, or name and address so the officer can issue a civil citation of up to $50. If they refuse, the fine could double and a person can even be arrested.
Matt Pusatory, March 20, 2024, WUSA9
Study: Half of global commutes made by car; rates vary widely
The study also highlights which parts of the world are most car-dependent and where public transit is most expansive.
Diana Ionescu, March 19, 2024, Planetizen
Moving from traditional to modernized transit
The decades-old public transit performance playbook was designed to celebrate more ridership. However, elected officials invested in public transit at a record level during 2019-2021 when ridership was at its lowest level in 70 years because of the value transit services bring to communities.
Mark R. Aesch, March 19, 2024, Metro Magazine
Communities build walking, biking trails along old railroad lines with federal grants
Among the projects selected for the Reconnecting Communities and Neighborhoods program are at least four that will repurpose former railroad lines into trails.
Dan Zukowski, March 19, 2024, Smart Cities Dive
Montgomery Co. leaders develop plan to minimize impacts of summer Red Line construction
The planned work includes upgrading the signaling system, installing communication and train control cables, and repairing the interlocking; which allows trains to cross from one track to the other outside the Takoma Station. 
Matt Pusatory/Rafael Sanchez-Cruz, March 20, 2024, WUSA9
Bikeshare Beat: February CaBi ridership soars
The bikesharing network recorded 318,688 trips in February, an increase of 52.6% from the year before and setting the record for the most rides recorded in February, as celebrated by Capital Bikeshare in a post on X.
Samuel Littauer, March 19, 2024, Greater Greater Washington
PHOTOS: Take a peek into Metro's 'Fleet of the Future'
Metro is still gradually returning the 7000 Series rail cars back in service after they were pulled over safety concerns following a derailment in 2021. But the transit agency is already gearing up for the next generation of trains and buses. Take a sneak peek.
Abigail Constantino, March 19, 2024, WTOP
County leaders urge Metro, state to develop transit solutions for Red Line closures
WMATA announced Feb. 9 that in early June it will temporarily close five Metro Red Line stations – Glenmont, Wheaton, Forest Glen, Silver Spring and Takoma – all of which are located in or directly border Montgomery County.
Ginny Bixby, March 18, 2024, MoCo 360
E-Bike lending libraries offer free access to a new mode
Library organizers say borrowing e-bikes can be a gateway to purchasing one of their own for people figuring out if an e-bike works for them and helps educate new riders about safe routes and safe riding.
Diana Ionescu, March 18, 2024, Planetizen
Metro cracking down on fare evasion through new DC crime law
But even with the new enforcement, new gates and barriers, DC News Now witnessed numerous riders getting through without paying, including two people piggy backing off an unsuspecting customer.
Daniel Hamburg, March 18, 2024, DC News Now
DASH service cut could impact Rosemont, Parkfairfax and North Ridge neighborhoods
Service would be reduced on Line 104 from every 30 minutes to once every hour. Barna said the change is likely to significantly decrease ridership.
Vernon Miles, March 18, 2024, ALXNow
Summer Red Line work could have 'dramatic impact' on commute times, Montgomery Co. leaders say
Among the five Red Line stops that will be closed for the summer are Glenmont, Wheaton, Forest Glen and Silver Spring. The Takoma station will be closed for a portion of that time.
Kate Ryan, March 18, 2024, WTOP
Enhance your cycling skills: MCDOT and WABA to offer adult bike, e-scooter classes this spring
The classes, which are set for April, May, and June, will cover Learn to Ride and Basic Skills, with MCDOT offering four free walk-up electric scooter classes following selected bike classes.
March 18, 2024, Source of the Spring
Undeterred: the road ahead for bicycle safety in Virginia
If you haven’t heard already, the close of the 2024 legislative session in Virginia doused the hope of final passage for the bicycle safety-focused bills that had seemed destined to become law. 
March 17, 2024, Fairfax Alliance for Better Bicycling
Fines, arrests take effect for Metro fare evaders in DC
Metro says that before the new policy, Metro Transit Police officers have only been able to ask fare evaders to leave the station or to pay the fair. Under the new policy, riders will have to provide their ID, or name and address so the officer can issue a civil citation of up to $50.
Rafael Sanchez-Cruz, March 18, 2024, WUSA9
'We're still hanging on!': Businesses and residents in Silver Spring on the continued Purple Line construction
The 16-mile light rail project meant to tie Bethesda to New Carrollton has been under construction for seven years. 
Kate Ryan, March 16, 2024, WTOP
'Transit Hardship': Report shows why fair fares must be expanded to more workers
On the positive side, the percentage of low-income residents who struggle with transit costs declined from an historic high of 36 percent in 2022 to 30 percent in 2023. 
Sophia Isabel Lebowitz, March 15, 2024, Streetsblog USA
Making trip planning easier for vision-impaired transit riders
Like other accessibility features, designing public facilities for people with vision impairments can benefit other groups as well. 
Diana Ionescu, March 15, 2024, Planetizen
Biden-Harris Administration announces investments in innovative transportation technology projects
"The Biden-Harris administration is proud to award $50 million to promising technology projects that have the potential to help Americans travel more safely, affordably, and efficiently," said U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg. 
March 14, 2024, Transportation.gov
Feds announce $900K in grants to support intercity passenger rail
Funding can also be used to facilitate operations coordination activities to help achieve better passenger rail services on corridors with shared freight rail operations, and to create and disseminate marketing materials that will spread awareness of the availability of new services. 
March 14, 2024, Metro Magazine
Metro fare evaders in D.C. face fines and arrests starting Monday
Until now, Metro Transit Police officers have only been able to ask fare evaders to pay their fare or leave the station, according to Metro.
Danny Nguyen, March 15, 2024, The Washington Post
Maryland officials OK more Purple Line money, but not gladly
Gov. Wes Moore and the state’s chief financial officers approved nearly half a billion dollars in extra funds for the Purple Line on Wednesday, even as they condemned the embattled project’s mounting delays and escalating costs.
Sapna Bansil, March 13, 2024, Maryland Matters
Plans to redevelop DC's Union Station take another step forward
The project could include a reconstructed rail yard, a modernized train hall and concourse, an underground garage and pick-up/drop-off area, integration with bus facilities on the planned H Street deck, and better connectivity with the train hall.
Adam Tuss, March 14, 2024, NBC4 Washington

Related Content