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Union for Fairfax Connector workers blasts pay proposal as contract nears expiration
Representing 546 employees of Fairfax Connector, which serves about 26,000 daily passengers across 93 different routes, the union confirmed that it got Transdev’s latest contract offer a day earlier.
Angela Woolsey, November 28, 2023, FFXNow
Some Arlington Transit routes seeing extreme subsidies
ART service is provided by a contractor but is funded by the county government. Data provided at the Nov. 14 meeting broke down copious information by route, including daily passenger totals and cost per mile for operation.
November 28, 2023, Gazette Leader
Federal court to weigh Amtrak bid to take DC's Union Station in eminent domain case
The largest railroad service in the United States is seeking to seize full control of the property interest owned by Union Station Investco, bluntly arguing in court filings that Amtrak is better suited to manage and operate the station because of its decades of experience. 
Kaelan Deese, November 28, 2023, Washington Examiner
Sweet ride: Metro train, buses to transform into 'gingerbread wonderland' for holidays
A Metro train and four buses will be wrapped to look like they're made of gingerbread — complete with icing trim. Metro says it's also transforming the inside of the vehicles with candy canes, lollipops, gumdrops, red bows and gingerbread men.
Gina Cook, November 27, 2023, NBC4 Washington
Downtown D.C. BID urges Metro to delay Red Line shutdown, citing 'negative and permanent damage'
During the closures, “critical safety repairs” and upgrades are planned to the tunnel and track infrastructure, per the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority, the agency that runs Metro.
Michael Neibauer, November 27, 2023, Washington Business Journal
Last access points for 95 Express Lanes Fredericksburg Extension to open next month
Drivers will be able to get to the 95 Express Lanes using a reversible ramp that can be accessed from Courthouse Road in Stafford County. They’ll also be accessible using a northbound exit from and southbound entrance to the I-95 general purpose lanes near Marine Corps Base Quantico.
Scott Gelman, November 28, 2023, WTOP
VRE Santa Train tickets on sale tomorrow morning, Monday, Nov. 27
Each year, the tickets sell out in minutes. Santa trains will run on Saturday, December 9, 2023, on both the Fredericksburg and Manassas lines.
Amelia Breeden, November 26, 2023, Potomac Local News
One year in, Silver Line Phase 2 ridership modest for Fairfax County stations
Metropolitan Washington Airport Authority (MWAA) planners had hoped for 20,000 riders a day when the rail line was being planned in the early 2000s.
Fatimah Waseem, November 26, 2023, Inside NOVA
Old train routes are getting recycled into new trail networks
The president of the D.C.-based Rails-to-Trails Conservancy said the 2021 infrastructure law is speeding up efforts to create protected pathways, lifting lives and communities in the process, and building what he sees as the nation’s new town squares.
Michael Laris, November 27, 2023, The Washington Post
Red Line riders, Metro will end the year with shuttle bus service between some stops. Here's what to know
Starting Monday Dec. 18, Metro will shut down Red Line tunnels between those two stops to repair and improve tracks and tunnels, replacing train service in that portion of the line with free shuttle buses.
Maggie More, November 23, 2023, NBC4 Washington
D.C. weighs banning cars in three corridors to create pedestrian zones
The District is considering banning cars in some corridors as New York and some other cities around the world have done to encourage more walking, biking and transit usage.
Luz Lazo, November 24, 2023, The Washington Post
One year in, Silver Line Phase 2 ridership modest for Fairfax County stations
More than 3.5 million trips later, daily average ridership on the rail extension hovers at 3,600 trips. Metropolitan Washington Airport Authority (MWAA) planners had hoped for 20,000 riders a day when the rail line was being planned in the early 2000s.
Fatimah Waseem, November 22, 2023, FFXNow
Metro to offer shuttle service during Red Line closures in December
There will be no service between Dupont Circle and Union Station from Dec. 22 to Dec. 24. Crews will be working to repair the ceiling above the tracks and install fiber-optic cables.
Makea Luzader, November 21, 2023, DC News Now
Why local transit systems need to prepare for global challenges ahead
In the face of impending global challenges, it's essential for local transit agencies to recognize thinking globally is not only advisable but necessary for the resilience of the communities they serve.
Gamaliel Anguiano, November 21, 2023, Metro Magazine
U.S. DOT awards $3.4M to underserved communities with rural, tribal grants
Part of the Rural and Tribal Assistance Pilot Program (RTA) and administered by the Build America Bureau, the grants will be used to fund early-stage development for transportation solutions, specifically for technical, legal, and financial assistance.
Liz Carey, November 22, 2023, Transportation Today
Bikeshare Beat: October was CaBi's busiest month ever
The previous monthly ridership record was set in August 2023, which touted 470,132 trips during the city’s summer swelter.
Samuel Littauer, November 20, 2023, Greater Greater Washington
Silver Line to Dulles marks 1-year anniversary: 67,000 workers, 42,000 residents
Metro ridership through the six new Silver Line stations is now an average 6,500 weekday rail entries, up 78.2% since December 2022. The Dulles stop accounts for 2,100 daily rider entries. 
Jeff Clabaugh, November 20, 2023, WTOP
Biden Administration marks 2nd anniversary of IIJA
Nov. 15 marked the second anniversary of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), or Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which was signed into law by President Biden and provided a “once-in-a-generation investment in America’s infrastructure and competitiveness.”
Alex Roman, November 18, 2023, Metro Magazine
Micromobility is having a weird year
At the heart of that question lies a deep anxiety about the structural foundations of the micromobility industry, and whether those foundations are beginning to shift.
Kea Wilson, November 20, 2023, Streetsblog USA
Ridership is up on the Metro system, but revenue is still down
The transit agency is facing a $750 million operating budget shortfall next fiscal year because of depleted federal pandemic aid and a steep drop in commuters, many of whom have traded going to the office for working from home. 
Justin George, November 19, 2023, The Washington Post
Metro pop-up shop to feature Metro-inspired holiday gifts
WMATA posted that it would be hosting a pop-up shop from Nov. 25 to Dec. 17, offering “unique Metro gifts, limited-edition treasures & more.”
Brian Farrell, November 17, 2023, DC News Now
Millions of metro bus riders fail to tap SmarTrip cards due to faulty fareboxes, evasion issues
Metro said it has replaced about one-third of its fareboxes with new, more modern machines that will eventually be installed on every single Metrobus. 
Tom Roussey, November 16, 2023, ABC7 News
Electric buses: Boom times and bumpy roads
In 2022, the number of full-size, zero-emission transit buses on the road, on order or funded grew 66% year over year, according to Calstart, a national clean transportation advocacy nonprofit.
Dan Zukowski, November 16, 2023, Smart Cities Dive
Ridership is up on the Metro system, but revenue is still down
Revenue from fares, parking, advertising and other sources during the fiscal quarter amounted to $108.4 million, which is $17.7 million less than Metro predicted.
Justin George, November 16, 2023, The Washington Post
Has the big federal infrastructure bill changed your commute? Q&A with Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg
U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg joined WTOP’s John Aaron to outline what he said are some notable improvements in this area.
WTOP Staff, November 16, 2023, WTOP
Public transit systems try to avoid a crisis as remote work hurts ridership
The rise of remote work since the pandemic is changing the way Americans commute. And that's prompting a crisis for big public transit systems, which were mostly designed to get lots of commuters downtown all at once, and are now scrambling to adjust to this new reality.
Joel Rose, November 15, 2023, OPB
Report: Transit safety begins with better service
The report identifies safety concerns from riders and advocates and “reveals one surprisingly straightforward solution: improve transit service.”
Diana Ionescu, November 15, 2023, Planetizen
Opening of I-95 north local lanes over Rappahannock postponed until Friday
Additional time is needed Thursday evening and early Friday morning to finish paving the new connection between the Route 3 on-ramp and the new local lanes of I-95 northbound. 
Uriah Kiser, November 16, 2023, Potomac Local News
Study: E-Bikes can help seniors and people with disabilities — if they can overcome barriers to riding
While any older adults and people with disabilities are actually able to safely use e-bikes, “a significant knowledge gap exists between awareness and reality,” the researchers wrote. 
George Kevin Jordan, November 15, Streetsblog USA
Get your wheels spinning, a new Bike & Ride facility opens at Grosvenor-Strathmore Station
The facility will provide a safe, secure location with room for up to 100 bikes and features video monitoring, emergency call boxes, and repair stands equipped with tools and air pumps for an enhanced and safer customer experience.
November 15, 2023, WMATA
A year after opening, ridership is modest but growing on the Silver Line extension
Ridership at those stations is still fairly limited compared to other parts of the rail system, though some locals say they’re excited about new access to Dulles Airport. 
Margaret Barthel, November 15, 2023, DCist

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