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How transit agencies can get more people 'on board' with transit tech

Increasing usage of public transit has an important role to play in our fight against climate change, along with contributing to the vitality and resilience of cities. 
Konstantin Spasov, April 16, 2024, Metro Magazine

Capital Bikeshare offering new users free rides for limited time

Curious about trying a bikeshare service in the District? Capital Bikeshare says now is the perfect time — it’s offering new users a code to unlock a bike for free for a limited time.
Makea Luzader, April 17, 2024, DC News Now

Alexandria Transit Company Board approves FY 2025 Alexandria Transit Strategic Plan

Proposed service changes have been made by the Alexandria Transit Company, which operates DASH bus service and the King Street Trolley, as part of the Alexandria Transit Strategic Plan (ATSP) for Fiscal Year 2025. 
April 17, 2024, Mass Transit Magazine

New Fairfax County ordinance requires drivers to stop, rather than yield, for pedestrians

The new ordinance aligns Fairfax County with a 2023 Code of Virginia change requiring drivers to stop — rather than yield — for pedestrians crossing in the driver’s lane, in an adjacent lane, or approaching the driver’s lane.
Vernon Miles, April 17, 2024, FFXNow

Metro to resume repairs at Stadium-Armory after 5-week pause

Efforts will continue on Metro’s Aerial Structures Rehabilitation Project on the Blue, Orange and Silver lines. Crews at the station will work to reinforce its structural integrity, closing a section of the track where the three lines intersect, WMATA said in a press release.
Gabby Allen, April 17, 2024, DC News Now

Do you ride the Circulator in D.C.? We want to hear about your experience.

D.C. has proposed ending the Circulator bus service next year. The Washington Post wants to hear about your experiences with the Circulator and how you use it.
April 17, 2024, The Washington Post

Youngkin proposes using NoVa investment fund to support Metro

In a state budget amendment, Gov. Glenn Youngkin pledged to support Metro with an additional $133.7 million amid a projected shortfall for the transit agency. The pledge came with a caveat: It would strip funding from a transit investment fund used by Northern Virginia jurisdictions.
Nathaniel Cline, April 17, 2024, Virginia Mercury

Amtrak releases RFI for next phase of zero-emissions

All qualified parties are encouraged to respond to the RFI, which supports the US National Blueprint for Transportation Decarbonization by 2050. Aiming to achieve Net Zero emissions by 2045 sits at the heart of Amtrak’s Climate Commitment.
Metro Magazine Staff, April 16, 2024, Metro Magazine

DC cyclists aren't giving up on Connecticut Avenue bike lanes

Adding protected bike lanes to the busy avenue has been a major initiative of the cycling advocacy group for years, which says that the six-lane, 30-mph roadway posed dangers for pedestrians, drivers, and cyclists alike. 
Omega Ilijevich, April 15, 2024, Washingtonian

This weekend: Aerial structure repairs to close section of Blue, Orange, and Silver lines outside Stadium-Armory

During the weekend, free shuttle buses will replace trains between Stadium-Armory and Benning Road on the Blue and Silver lines, and between Stadium-Armory and Minnesota Ave on the Orange Line. Additional work is also planned in this same area the following weekend, April 27-28.   
April 16, 2024, WMATA

Offer to donate land to Montgomery Co. sparks optimism that White's Ferry service connecting Md. and Va. will resume

The current owners of White’s Ferry, Chuck and Stacy Kuhn, have made a formal offer to donate the ferry landing property to Montgomery County. They hope this could help bring back ferry services between Poolesville, Maryland, and Leesburg, Virginia.
Kate Ryan, April 16, 2024, WTOP

DC bikeshare system breaks ridership record

In a proposed budget revealed on April 3, D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser pledged $3 million to support Capital Bikeshare operations, maintenance, and growth.
Diana Ionescu, April 16, 2024, Planetizen

Transit worker safety the focus of FTA plan updates

The National Safety Plan also looks to address the hundreds of bus-to-person collisions that occur every year. 
Dan Zukowski, April 15, 2024, Smart Cities Dive

8 years into America's e-scooter experiment, what have we learned?

Ultimately, researchers see two factors that determine the overall climate impact of e-scooters: how users ride them, and how operators manage them from manufacturing to disposal.
Syris Valentine, April 15, 2024, Route Fifty

Metro begins auto doors function on select trains for 'safer and more reliable' commuting

This is the second stage of rollout for the system. The Red Line started this last December and WMATA said there have been more than 750,000 successful, safe, and faster door openings since.
Joy Wang, April 16, 2024, ABC7 News

Youngkin would slash extra Metro funds, shift burden to Northern Virginia localities

Amendments from the governor received in the House of Delegates April 8 eliminate that extra funding entirely in the first year and reduce it in the second year to less than $36 million — a roughly $113.5 million delta.
Dan Brendel, April 15, 2024, Washington Business Journal

Biden-Harris Administration awards $23.6 million to help 112 communities deliver transformative infrastructure improvements

The program provides two years of no-cost, intensive technical assistance to under-resourced and disadvantaged communities to help them identify, develop, and deliver transportation projects to achieve locally-driven economic development, health, environment, mobility, and access goals. 
April 15, 2024, Transportation.gov

OmniRide driver places 4th in 'Virginia Bus Roadeo'

OmniRide hosted the 2024 Virginia State Bus Roadeo April 5 – April 7 at the organization’s Western Facility near Manassas. Thirty-four bus operators and seven maintenance teams from across the state took part in this safety and operations competition
Uriah Kiser, April 14, 2024, Potomac Local News

Metro to begin Auto Doors certifications for operators on Blue, Orange, Silver, Green, and Yellow Lines

On Monday, customers may notice doors opening faster on some Blue, Orange, Silver, Green and Yellow line trains as Metro begins certifying operators who have been trained to use the Auto Doors function. The certifications will happen over the next few weeks. 
April 12, 2024, WMATA

The D.C. Circulator's days are numbered. Could Metro step in and fill the void?

Funding for the six D.C. Circulator bus routes that loop around some of the District's most popular tourist destinations is slated to expire in a little less than a year, but city officials are hoping Metro will step in to fill the void.
Nate Doughty, April 12, 2024, Washington Business Journal

Planning Commission chair says Alexandria needs to step up its federal grants game to make transit corridors a reality

Transitway corridors are areas where the city is hoping to implement “enhanced transit services” like bus rapid transit, a streetcar, dedicated bus lanes and more. 
Vernon Miles, April 12, 2024, ALXNow

'Significant' MARC Penn Line schedule changes to begin

The changes will mean that some trains may arrive early, and some will be delayed between Baltimore and Union Station in D.C.
Anna-Lysa Gayle, April 11, 2024, DC News Now

DC Department of Transportation director: Connecticut Avenue won't get bike lanes

Initial plans from DDOT had a protected bike lane on Connecticut Avenue as part of safety improvements but Director Sharon Kershbaum told the Council Thursday they weren’t moving forward with that plan.
Daniel Hamburg, April 11, 2024, DC News Now

Transit ridership continues its slow recovery

Transit riders took 7.1 billion trips in 2023, down from 9.9 billion in 2019, in large part due to shifting work patterns and low office occupancy. 
Diana Ionescu, April 11, 2024, Planetizen

How transit agencies can succeed at outsourcing operations

Transit agencies often contract with private companies to operate part or all of their rail, bus or other services. Done right, it can improve service and even lower costs. 
Dan Zukowski, April 11, 2024, Smart Cities Dive

Biden-Harris Administration announces nearly $830 million in grants to make transportation infrastructure more resilient to climate change

To strengthen America’s climate resilience, President Biden has secured more than $50 billion for climate resilience and adaptation through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and Inflation Reduction Act.
April 11, 2024, Transportation.gov

6th Annual Mount Vernon District Environment Expo

Organized by Supervisor Dan Storck, in collaboration with the National Park Service, this event promises an educational and engaging day for the whole family. 
April 11, 2024, Fairfax Alliance of Better Bicycling

Circulator bus service could end by March 2025, officials say

The Circulator would require an infusion of more than $100 million to sustain itself next fiscal year, said DDOT director Sharon Kershbaum in a hearing with the D.C. Council transportation committee on Thursday.
Danny Nguyen, April 11, 2024, The Washington Post

WMATA and MWCOG announce new joint transit initiative

In a news release sent out Wednesday, officials said that the organizations’ Boards of Directors will meet on May 1 to start “months-long discussions about how to efficiently provide, fund, and govern public transit.”
Makea Luzader, April 10, 2024, DC News Now

CaBi continues to break records through March

CaBi members consistently make up the majority of trips each month, representing 63.7% of all rides in March. E-bikes continue to account for nearly half of all rides, as 49.9% of riders chose the pedal-assisted option over the classic red bikes.
Samuel Littauer, April 11, 2024, Greater Greater Washington

FTA issues final rule on PTASP regulation, revises National Public Transportation Safety Plan

The major safety updates will make transit systems safer for transit workers and passengers across the U.S. while providing workers more input in safety-making decisions through enhanced safety committees.
April 10, 2024, Mass Transit Magazine

New NVTC report highlights importance of public transit to the environment

The report, "Climate Benefits of Transit in Northern Virginia,” finds the use of public transit in northern Virginia reduces up to 160,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions each year and that diesel-fueled buses provide greater benefits to the environment than people driving in cars, SUVs and light trucks.
April 10, 2024, Mass Transit Magazine

APTA releases ridership trends report

After falling to 20% of pre-pandemic levels in April 2020, public transit has recovered to 79% of pre-pandemic levels as of March 2024, according to the American Public Transportation Association’s (APTA) latest ridership trends report.
Marybeth Luczak, April 9, 2024, Railway Age

'All of their riders are listening to you' | Kids with autism voicing announcements on Metro buses, trains all month long

On Wednesday, around 40 children with autism gathered to tour a train, and bus and ask questions to Metro General Manager and CEO Randy Clarke.
John Doran, April 10, 2024, WUSA9

Metro, Council of Governments officials plan to partner on developing unified vision for the region's transit

The planned partnership builds on recent coordination related to Metro's FY 2025 financial challenges. It also provides an opportunity for the region to act with urgency to fully address complex, long-term transit needs.
April 10, 2024, WMATA

Will DC put the brakes on Circulator buses?

Under the budget proposal from Mayor Muriel Bowser, Circulator buses would be phased out by early next year. The mayor said rising costs for something that people aren’t using, and is already duplicated by Metro, is too hard to justify when she has a budget to balance.
John Domen, April 10, 2024, WTOP

How DC's Metro lured riders back

WMATA’s strategy has been successful so far: In February, ridership across the system was at 83 percent of pre-pandemic levels, and DC has now seen a faster transit recovery than any other major metro area with a comparable public transportation network.
Abdallah Fayyad, April 10, 2024, Vox

Report confirms public transit is good for Northern Virginia's environment

The "Climate Benefits of Transit in Northern Virginia" report concludes that while personal vehicles are a major cause of pollution, riding trains and buses can mitigate these emissions.
April 9, 2024, Metro Magazine

Run MARC commuter trains into Virginia. It could draw thousands more riders

Nonetheless, the fact that over 10,000 people from the Maryland suburbs are employed near L’Enfant Plaza, Crystal City, and King Street means there is a strong opportunity for MARC to grow ridership. 
Ethan Finlan, April 9, 2024, Greater Greater Washington

Virginia governor strikes extra funding for Metro from budget

The Northern Virginia Transportation Commission says it has the funding for Metro for now, but it says sending the money will mean that reserve funds for other transportation projects down the line will dry up in about a year. Then taxpayers may be asked to pay more.
Adam Tuss, April 9, 2024, NBC4 Washington

DC Circulator bus: What to know about the mayor's shutdown proposal

Part of the problem, according to D.C. officials, is that ridership on the Circulator hasn’t returned to where it was pre-pandemic. Bike share and scooters have become more popular since the pandemic, further taking riders away from the Circulator.
Adam Tuss, April 8, 2024, NBC4 Washington

FTA announces $20.5B for transit agencies

The funding will be available to help communities expand, modernize, maintain and operate public transportation systems, upgrade stations, tracks and maintenance facilities, plan and design new transit corridors, and provide access for seniors and riders with disabilities.
Liz Carey, April 8, 2024, Transportation Today

Neighbors upset about Beltway work in Virginia speak out

The ongoing project to expand the express lanes on Interstate 495 in Virginia has some McLean area residents upset and looking for answers.
Kyle Cooper, April 8, 2024, WTOP

How DC's new traffic signs can tell when drivers are on their phones or not wearing a seatbelt

The signs, which are attached to a mobile trailer unit, tell drivers to put their phones down, buckle up or slow down, said Rick Birt, the director of the DC Highway Safety Office. They’re similar to signs that display speed.
Kaela Roeder, April 8, 2024, Technically

Department of Transportation awards $3.3 billion to monumental transportation project: 'Helps give everyone an equal chance'

The Department of Transportation has set aside $3.3 billion to cap highways, add new transport routes, add sidewalks and bike lanes, and construct bridges. It's said the money means "more than 130 communities in 41 states and Washington, DC, will benefit."
Leo Collis, April 8, 2024, The Cool Down

Officials install taller, stronger faregates in Foggy Bottom Station

The spokesperson said officials have upgraded faregates at about 33 of 98 stations in the Metro system as of Friday. They said there has been an almost 80 percent reduction in fare evasion at the stations with upgraded faregates.
Max Porter, April 8, 2024, The GW Hatchett

Average gasoline prices in Virginia have risen in the last week, GasBuddy says

Prices in Virginia are 21.5 cents per gallon higher than a month ago and stand 1.6 cents per gallon higher than a year ago. The national average price of diesel has increased by 3.1 cents in the last week and stands at $4.02 per gallon, GasBuddy said.
Kaylee Shipley, April 8, 2024, ABC7 News

$20.5B in federal funds for public transit available in FY 2024

The funding will support urban, rural and tribal communities with grants “to start new projects, fix old infrastructure, and ensure fast, safe, convenient service,” the acting FTA administrator said.
Dan Zukowski, April 5, 2024, Smart Cities Dive

The good, the bad and the ugly of DC Metro's design and wayfinding evolution

A pilot program at L’Enfant Plaza, one of its busiest stations, provides a preview of what’s to come: updated platform signage, altered pylons, refreshed neighborhood maps, and a new way to find your way out of each station.
Mark Byrnes, April 4, 2024, Bloomberg

Biden-Harris Administration to provide $20.5 billion in federal funding to support transit systems, boost communities

The investments will help people get to work, school, healthcare appointments, and other destinations via subways, light rail, buses, and ferry systems. 
April 4, 2024, Transportation.gov

OmniRide faces $16 million budget shortfall in Prince William, fueled by rising transit costs

OmniRide will be forced to cut service if it can’t secure local funding to offset its rising costs, although it’s not immediately clear what those service cuts might look like.
Ben Peters, April 4, 2024, Inside NOVA

E-bikes are transforming urban mobility and cities need to get onboard: study

The study delves into the motivations and usage patterns of e-bike riders, revealing intriguing insights into their preferences. Contrary to popular belief, e-bikes are not just for leisurely rides. In fact, the majority of e-bike users primarily utilize them for utilitarian purposes, such as commuting and running errands.
Ron Johnson, April 2, 2024, Momentum Magazine

FRA issues ruling on size of train crews

The rule permits, in limited cases, exceptions for smaller railroads to continue or begin certain one-person train crew operations by notifying FRA and complying with federal safety standards.
Melina Druga, April 4, 2024, Transportation Today

Ridership up, fare evasion down on Metro, transit agency says

Efforts to reduce fare evasion and increase safety on Metro trains and buses appear to be working, the transit agency said Thursday, citing positive ridership and crime trends.
Thomas Robertson, April 4, 2024, WTOP