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Transit agencies continue to add zero-emission buses to their fleets

More than 7,000 full-size battery and fuel-cell electric buses are in use or on the way, according to Calstart’s latest report, but shifting federal policies could affect future growth.
Dan Zukowski, March 14, 2025, Smart Cities Dive

Transitway expansion means yearlong road closure in Pentagon City

The work, which will take place between S. Eads Street and S. Fern Street, is not expected to impact pedestrian access. Parking garages for buildings fronting 12th Street will be accessible via side streets.
Scott McCaffrey, March 14, 2025, ARLNow

Metro facing $200M loss, layoffs if Congress forces DC budget cut

As the Friday deadline for a federal spending deal approaches, Metro is watching closely because the transit agency could be directly affected.
Adam Tuss, March 13, 2025, NBC4 Washington

Study: Drops in transit ridership linked to extreme weather

As extreme weather events become more common, this could hinder efforts to encourage transit use and reduce transportation emissions. Weather also impacts transit infrastructure.
Diana Ionescu, March 13, 2025, Planetizen

New approaches to procurement can drive innovation in public transit

The most common theme at the event was the transition from traditional commuter schedules — shuttling 9-to-5 workers into central business districts in the morning and out to the suburbs after work — to a regional rail model including more midday, evening and weekend service, accommodating both the modern workday rider and the leisure rider.
Gabriel J. Lopez-Bernal, March 13, 2025, Smart Cities Dive

More clarity on funding options for Metro and other transit expected this month

“We do expect information to be shared” at the next meeting of the DMV Moves task force, Northern Virginia Transportation Commission (NVTC) Executive Director Kate Mattice told the commission’s board at a meeting last Thursday (March 6).
Scott McCaffrey, March 13, 2025, FFXNow

Virginia commissions approve $155 million Manassas rail line agreement

The ownership rights will also give VRE the Broad Run Corridor from Alexandria to Broad Run, the permanent easement to five station platforms and the permanent commuter rail operating easement along the Manassas Line.
Nathaniel Cline, March 8, 2025, Inside NoVa

All aboard the blossom express! Limited-edition cherry blossom Metro cards available Saturday

This is the third year Metro has wrapped a train and three buses in a special cherry blossom theme. The 2025 design features a bright blue background, pink blooms and a Japanese rising sun. The vehicles are expected to make their debut on March 21. 
Samantha Gilstrap, March 12, 2025, WUSA9

Amtrak, Rexmark reach settlement agreement on Washington Union Station

Amtrak notes Washington Union Station is one of the nation’s most historic and busiest multimodal hubs and serves the many travelers and visitors that use the station. 
March 12, 2025, Mass Transit Magazine

U.S. DOT orders review of all grants related to green infrastructure, bikes

Those efforts were a centerpiece of previous DOT secretary Buttigieg's strategy to implement the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, from which he allocated billions of dollars in discretionary grants to sustainable and equitable modes.
Gersh Kuntzman, March 12, 2025, Streetsblog USA

Transit services adjust for federal employees returning to work

Ride On bus fares are set at $1 per ride, with free transfers available for federal workers commuting via Metro. Additionally, the MCDOT has been working with federal agencies to expand parking availability near select federal installations.
Tariq Jernigan, March 11, 2025, Montgomery Community Media

USDOT, MTA, GCRTA take steps to improve safety on public transit

USDOT aims to improve the perception of public transit in Washington, D.C., as federal employees return to the office while the MTA has seen a decrease in crime on its subway system and GCRTA has brought in 14 new transit police officers.
Brandon Lewis, March 11, 2025, Mass Transit Magazine

Cherry blossoms may boost Metro to a post-pandemic ridership high

“If all goes to plan, we’re hoping for our first combined one-million-trip day since the onset of the pandemic,” Paul Smedberg, first vice president of the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA), said on Thursday (March 6).
Scott McCaffrey, March 11, 2025, FFXNow

Climate change Is making waiting for transit worse — and it's hurting ridership

A recent study of 43 major U.S. transit networks revealed that ridership dropped during long stretches of rain, heat, or other prolonged extreme weather events that scientists link to climate change, at least in the 17 years between when the National Transit Database began collecting stats and 2019, the last year before the pandemic decimated ridership.
Kea Wilson, March 12, 2025, Streetsblog USA

No signal? No problem. Meet the new app for navigating D.C. transit

Last month, the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority rolled out a partnership with Waymap, a wayfinding app that provides step-by-step audio directions for transit riders. Initially created for people with vision loss, the app aims to help anyone navigate indoor and outdoor locations without access to mobile data or WiFi.
Maylin Tu, March 11, 2025, Next City

With artificial intelligence, transit fare gates get smarter

Cubic has introduced gates for transit systems that are equipped with technology including artificial intelligence, to differentiate between a rider slipping through a gate without paying and a mother struggling with a stroller.
March 10, 2025, Government Technology

The tariff saga: How the North American bus market is navigating through the chaos

U.S. bus manufacturing and the larger North American transit bus supply chain has already been experiencing significant challenges, with several original equipment manufacturers planning or already closing operations.
Megan Perrero, March 10, 2025, Mass Transit Magazine

Fairfax Budget Season: Speak up for trails, parks, and multimodal transportation!

Now’s the time to speak up and let county leaders know that investing in multimodal transportation, trails, and bike infrastructure must remain a priority.
March 10, 2025, Fairfax Alliance for Better Bicycling

FareShare Program offers money to cover employees' public transit costs in Montgomery County

The FareShare program covers expenses incurred by passengers when using the Ride On Bus, Metrobus, Metrorail, MTA Commuter Bus or Marc Train. It also covers expenses on vanpools, as long as the employee is traveling to and from work within Montgomery County.
Odyssey Fields, March 9, 2025, DC News Now

Ride On Bus stop in Bethesda to close temporarily for watermain installation

Officials said the Ride On Bus stop #25642 at Southbound Rockville Pike (MD 355) between Locust Hill Road and West Cedar Lane in Bethesda will not be available beginning Sunday night.
Odyssey Fields, March 9, 2025, DC News Now

Virginia commissions approve $155 million Manassas rail line agreement

Owners of the commuter rail system Virginia Railway Express on Thursday signed off on a five-year, $155 million agreement to purchase the Manassas Line, allowing the system to enhance service reliability and provide control over stations and schedules between Washington D.C. and Northern Virginia.
Nathaniel Cline, March 8, 2025, ALXNow

Trump administration looks to address safety for travelers in DC

“DDOT will closely coordinate with local stakeholders to ensure a smooth process, and we appreciate the public’s patience as we work to enhance this important corridor,” the agency said.
Jacob Kerr, March 8, 2025, WTOP

Electric vehicles for all? Study finds disparities in access and incentives

A new UCLA study finds that while California has made progress in electric vehicle adoption, disadvantaged communities remain underserved in EV incentives, ownership, and charging access, requiring targeted policy changes to advance equity.
Clement Lau, March 9, 2025, Planetizen

Are mobility hubs child-friendly?

The researchers found that women surveyed would benefit from services at mobility hubs such as playgrounds next to bus stops to occupy children or free WiFi so they can communicate or attend to errands while waiting for a bus or train.
Diana Ionescu, March 7, 2025, Planetizen

Reimagine the west portico area at Union Station as a bike transit center and cafe

At this time, Amtrak and USRC have the opportunity to be proactive and make use of the Bike Building as low-hanging fruit to kickstart a truly multi-modal use facility and create synergy at the building’s West Portico.

 

Bill Galagher/Don Paine, March 7, 2025, Greater Greater Washington

Baltimore City Council members press for solutions to student transit nightmare

The average city student’s trip to school on mass transit takes about 40 minutes, which is more than twice as long as the time that neighboring Baltimore County students spend on yellow buses and longer than the average adult’s commute to work, according to the Banner investigation.
Liz Bowie, March 6, 2025, The Baltimore Banner

Transportation secretary asks Amtrak to consider placing Homeland Security agents inside Union Station

"We are committed to continuous improvements and look forward to working with our federal partners including the DC Attorney General, to enhance America's Metro System," General Manager Clarke said on Thursday. 
Ittai Sopher, March 6, 2025, WUSA9

Transportation secretary pens letters to DC Mayor, WMATA, Amtrak asking for safety improvements

In the letter to Clarke, the transportation secretary said he wants WMATA to reduce fare evasion, lower crime on metro buses and trains, to ensure people using public transit feel safe.
Shomarie Stone, March 6, 2025, Fox 5 News

Help play a pivotal role advocating for Metro customers by participating in the Riders' Advisory Council

Formed in 2005, the RAC advises the Board on Metro service and policies and includes a mix of customers that use Metrorail, Metrobus or MetroAccess from across the region. Members must live within the Metro service area.
March 5, 2025, WMATA

Rail sector contributes $233.4B to economy, study finds

The rail transportation industry directly employed 153,000 people and supported 749,000 jobs nationwide in various industries, generating $66.1 billion in household income. Every railroad job supported 3.9 additional jobs in industries such as manufacturing, logistics, and technology.
Melina Druga, March 4, 2025, Transportation Today

In happier transit news, continuing coverage of limited edition SmarTrip® cards

To accommodate the crowds, Metro will have additional trains strategically placed throughout the system to add capacity, and additional buses on key routes to provide additional service if needed. 
March 4, 2025, PoPville

Report: Transportation equity requires more than electrification

Lower-income households often lack the resources to buy electric cars, signaling a need for a more holistic approach to improving mobility and lowering transportation costs.
Diana Ionescu, March 4, 2025, Planetizen

Metro revises passenger, revenue projections upward for next budget

When it comes to ridership, Metro is now anticipating a total of 257 million trips in the current fiscal year, 270 million in FY 2026 and 275 million in FY 2027, split about evenly between Metrobus and Metrorail. 
Scott McCaffrey, March 4, 2025, FFXNow

Montgomery County promotes transit options for federal employees returning to In-person work

“For those looking for commuting solutions, the good news is that the region is better connected than ever before, and in Montgomery County, public transit is affordable with a fare of $1 for all MCDOT Ride On buses,” said Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich. 
Patrick Herron, March 3, 2025, The MoCo Show

DC Metro ridership up 10% as more workers return to offices

For the first time in years, packed Metro trains and bustling platforms are becoming the new normal again as federal workers return to the office, pushing ridership to its highest levels since 2020.

 
March 3, 2025, Fox 5 News

Take our Front Royal-Washington express commuter route for just $5.50!

Offering express and local bus services, ridesharing programs, and paratransit options, OmniRide connects communities across Prince William County, Stafford County, and beyond to key destinations, including Washington, D.C., and major regional transit hubs.
March 3, 2025, Potomac Local News

Maryland offering grants to businesses impacted by Purple Line construction

Montgomery County Council President Kate Stewart said on Monday that the Purple Line project is 74% complete with an expected opening not till 2027.
Shirin Rajaee, March 3, 2025, Fox 5 News

Metro begins first phase of 'Better Bus Network' implementation with new bus stop signs

According to WMATA: Metro will start installing new bus stop signs in Virginia. About 7,000 bus stop signs will be replaced by Metro crews over the next three months in anticipation of the June 29 official Better Bus launch date.
March 2, 2025, The MoCo Show

Red Line and other transit projects face tough odds this spring

Maryland Senate President Bill Ferguson says that while leaders haven’t given up on those ambitions entirely, some long-awaited plans go dormant – even the Red Line, which would serve his Baltimore City district.
March 2, 2025, City Biz

Trump Administration takes aim at transportation research

The tumult has stunned many transportation veterans, leaving them worried about the US’s ability to ensure that its mobility network — from roads, bridges and rails to maritime and aviation infrastructure — grows more productive, affordable and safe in the years ahead.
Todd Litman, March 2, 2025, Planetizen

Metro ready to move crowds for cherry blossom season, will celebrate with train, bus wraps and special edition SmarTrip card

To accommodate the crowds, Metro will have additional trains strategically placed throughout the system to add capacity, and additional buses on key routes to provide additional service if needed. We’ll also have extra staff at key stations to help customers.
February 28, 2025, WMATA