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New 'microtransit' program launches in northwest Arlington next week

Shared rides will connect passengers to stops including the Madison Community Center, the Lee-Harrison Shopping Center, the East Falls Church Metro station, Westover Library, VHC Health and the Ballston Metro station.
Dan Egitto, April 8, 2026, ARLNow

'America's Main Street' could get a people-friendly makeover

The plan would reduce the number of car lanes and move bike lanes from the middle of the street to the sides on parts of the street, and as add more seating and shade trees along the sidewalks.
Diana Ionescu, April 8, 2026, Planetizen

Maryland Gov. Moore unveils Baltimore Region TOD Strategy

The Maryland Transit Administration (MTA) is advancing the nearly $1.4 billion light-rail modernization program, which includes modernizing the Baltimore Central Light Rail Line from Hunt Valley to BWI Thurgood Marshall Airport with new, modern, low-floor vehicles and upgrades all the light-rail stations, systems and maintenance facilities. 
April 8, 2026, Mass Transit Magazine

Fairfax County plan would add up to 17 Capital Bikeshare stations along I-66

The Fairfax County Department of Transportation held a virtual public meeting on Wednesday night to discuss the potential additions. If approved, the new stations would extend the regional bikeshare network in an area that runs alongside I-66, including Providence, Braddock and Springfield Districts.
April 8, 2026, ABC7 News

USDOT opens USD 686 million for transit station accessibility

The U.S. Department of Transportation is making the funding available. It is doing so through the Federal Transit Administration. The programme is intended to improve accessibility at transit stations across the country.
April 7, 2026, Railway Supply

Metro seeks customers to appear in upcoming public awareness campaign

Metro is seeking current customers ages 18 and older to share their stories about riding America’s Metro System across social media, digital platforms, and outdoor advertising.
April 8, 2026, WMATA

Trump's Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy invests $657 million to improve America's ferry infrastructure

FTA's ferry grant programs help modernize terminal infrastructure, launch new ferry routes, and fund new ferries to connect American families to their jobs and new communities more efficiently.
April 6, 2026, U.S. Department of Transportation

Loudoun County now offering Senior Smart Trip cards

These cards are free fare cards available to residents age 65 or older. It automatically applies a 50% discount on fares for Metro Rail, Metro Bus, Loudoun County Transit’s commuter bus and other transit services that accept Smart Trip cards.
Makea Luzader, April 7, 2026, DC News Now

VRE board goes 'On the Road' with off-site meetings planned in Prince William, Fairfax, Spotsylvania

The Virginia Railway Express Operations Board is taking its meetings on the road to connect more directly with the communities it serves.
Uriah Kiser, April 7, 2026, Potomac Local News

Metro seeks $93M+ for new customer terminals to replace fare machines

Metro says there will be fewer machines – thanks to the ability to pay with credit cards there is less demand for the machines than in the past.
Tom Roussey, April 7, 2026, ABC7 News

Rail Passengers Association opposes FY27 Presidential Budget request proposal to cut domestic investment in passenger rail and transit

While the budget request includes $26.6 billion in discretionary budget authority for the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT)—a $1.6 billion (6.2%) increase over FY2026 enacted levels—the bulk of new funding is directed to highways and aviation. Transit and intercity passenger rail programs would see meaningful reductions.
Joe Aiello, April 3, 2026, Rail Passengers Association

What happens to bus ridership when gas prices spike

Research from the University of Maryland found that for every 10% increase in gas prices, U.S. transit demand increases by about 1.2%. That elasticity gets stronger as prices rise. Above $3 a gallon, the effect accelerates. Above $4, it accelerates further.
Steve Mitchell, April 3, 2026, Bristow Beat

Events: Senior socials to focus on DC transportation

Two upcoming socials organized by goDCgo will help older adults find safe, reliable, and affordable ways to get around. All adults aged 60 over are welcome to participate, even though the benefits are tailored to those living in DC.
Tricia Chicka, April 6, 2026, Greater Greater Washington

Major decision looms for Route 28 traffic congestion in Northern Virginia

Route 28 through Prince William County has long been a bottleneck, especially during peak travel times. The board is now weighing a plan to widen approximately 2.5 miles of Route 28, from Liberia Avenue in Manassas to the Fairfax County line, expanding the road from four lanes to six.
John Gonzalez, April 7, 2026, ABC7 News

Alexandria kicks off Month of the Young Child with new DASH bus messaging

The bus “takeover” was unveiled at DASH headquarters (3000 Business Center Drive) and includes exterior wraparound messaging and interior display messaging on five principles to help young children thrive. 
James Cullum, April 6, 2026, ALXNow

President's budget request calls for cuts to Amtrak, transit grants

The budget proposal calls for $1.44 billion in grants for Amtrak’s National Network, down from $1.57 billion for 2026, and $641 million for the Northeast Corridor, down from $841 million. The total of $2.081 billion would represent a 13.5% decrease.
David Lassen, April 4, 2026, Trains.com

Plan to develop Baltimore-area transit system to be unveiled by Maryland leaders

The plan will not only support transit development, but also support housing development in the area by providing a guide on how to use the land around transit properties, like empty parking lots. The goal of improving development is to increase ridership. 
JT Moodee Lockman, April 5, 2026, CBS News

Clearing the roadblocks to transportation innovation

Over the past few years, the Federation of American Scientists (FAS) has engaged hundreds of local governments, researchers, industry leaders, and transportation experts to better understand where the most pressing transportation R&D gaps lie. 
Nazish Jeffery/Andy Gordon, April 1, 2026, Federation of American Scientists

Metro's next stop is... bedtime?

The original post has garnered nearly 350,000 views and over 2,000 likes in the first 24 hours on X, and another 6,000 likes on Instagram. While it's unclear if these beds may hit the shelves in the end, enthusiasm for all-things Metro is going strong. 
Nick Bove, April 2, 2026, WUSA9

The latest on Maryland's upcoming Purple Line

After nearly ten years, Maryland’s highly anticipated Purple Line is tantalizingly close to completion. In fact, social media posts last week showed a train being tested across the University of Maryland campus. Which begs the question: How soon will the Purple Line be open?
Jenae Barnes, April 3, 2026, Washingtonian

Frustrations grow with parking, traffic disruptions at West Falls Church Metro station

Issues with vehicles parking illegally and construction traffic blocking drivers looking to park at the Metro station have increasingly become a headache over the past few weeks, according to one commuter.
Angela Woolsey, April 3, 2026, FFXNow

DC Metro coordinates D40, D4X detour for 7th St work

The Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority announced the temporary route change will run from 5:30am to 4:00pm on April 4, 2026. Southbound buses heading toward Archives won't be affected and will operate on their regular routes.
April 2, 2026, Moovit

Alexandria asks NVTA for nearly $37M to fund transportation projects

The total funding amount in NVTA’s proposed Fiscal Year 2026-2031 Six Year Program is $1.265 billion. Alexandria’s share includes $15 million for bus rapid transit improvements in the second phase of the Duke Street Transitway, and $21.86 million for pedestrian and bicycle improvements at Eisenhower Avenue and S. Van Dorn Street.
James Cullum, April 2, 2026, ALXNow

FTA designates $20.4B for public transit in FY26

Formula grant programs allocate funding to states, urbanized areas and transit agencies based on formulas set by Congress, while the state governments and urbanized areas decide how much funding is provided to specific transit agencies and providers, said FTA officials in a press release.
April 1, 2026, Progressive Railroading

Frequently asked questions about the missing Georgetown Metro station

But still the questions keep coming, and the rumors keep circulating. Following the 20th anniversary of the book’s publication, and the 50th anniversary of the first Metrorail service, I offer my best answers to key questions about Georgetown and Metro.
Zachary Schrag, April 2, 2026, Greater Greater Washington

Music by the Metro returns to Clarendon for Spring 2026

This free outdoor concert series takes place every Thursday evening in May at 6:00 p.m. at Clarendon Central Park, located at 3100 Wilson Blvd. (beside the Clarendon Metro Station). Presented by the Clarendon Alliance, the series is cosponsored by?Arlington Arts.
April 1, 2026, ARLNow

DC Metro ranks top for retiree mobility

Seniorly and RentCafe both named the District of Columbia their top choice in 2026, citing the comprehensive 98-station transit network as a key factor. The system connects D.C., Maryland, and Virginia, offering retirees car-free access to cultural attractions, healthcare facilities, and daily services.
April 1, 2026, Moovit

As the DC Streetcar shuts down, leaders wrestle with H Street's transit future

But with the service winding down after a tumultuous decade ferrying passengers between Union Station and Benning Road, she’ll have to switch back to the bus—even though those stations lack the amenities offered at streetcar stops.
Alex Koma/Tyrone Turner, March 31, 2026, WAMU 88.5

Broad Run Yard expansion moves forward: new tracks, station rebuild, and Manassas Airport ties

The Virginia Railway Express Broad Run Yard expansion project is advancing at the 95 percent design stage and is expected to enter a two-year construction phase once property acquisitions and permits are finalized, officials told the VRE Operations Board on March 20.
Uriah Kiser, April 1, 2026, Potomac Local News

Colorful DASH bus to be unveiled at 'Month of the Young Child' kickoff in Alexandria

Through a partnership with local nonprofit Kids’ First Years, buses will display messaging on the five principles to help young children thrive developed by local nonprofit Kids’ First Years.
James Cullum, April 1, 2026, ALXNow

Transportation disrupted: Rising prices expose a vulnerable system

Research shows that higher gas prices push people from driving toward walking, biking, and public transit. This is much easier in some places than others.
Leslie Vasquez/Chris McCahill, March 30, 2026, SSTI

D.C.'s Streetcar is making its final stop, leaving a mixed legacy

The bright red trolley that runs a 2.2-mile track along H Street from Union Station to the edge of the RFK Stadium site never amounted to its promised sprawling 40-mile footprint. But the streetcar quickly became the unofficial mascot of the corridor for some.
Kendall Staton, March 31, 2026, The Washington Post

VRE on-time performance rebounds to 87–88% but March delays highlight challenges for riders

Virginia Railway Express trains have returned to 87-88 percent on-time performance over the past eight of the last 10 months, coming close to the agency’s 90 percent goal, but two difficult weeks in March exposed persistent reliability issues that continue to test commuter patience along the Manassas and Fredericksburg lines.
Uriah Kiser, March 31, 2026, Potomac Local News

USDOT to award $999.5M in Safe Streets for All grants

The program awards two types of grants. Implementation grants?fund projects or strategies aligned with an existing safety action plan that address roadway safety challenges. Planning and demonstration grants?support the development, completion or enhancement of an action plan.
Melina Druga, March 31, 2026, Transportation Today

It's the end of the road for the DC Streetcar

After more than a decade, the experiment that was DC Streetcar is over. The District Department of Transportation says the 2.2-mile electric trolley line that served Northeast D.C. on H Street and Benning Road was too expensive to maintain.
Jimmy Alexander, March 31, 2026, WTOP

Data helps Washington, D.C., transit fine-tune its service

In the last five years, WMATA, like numerous other transit operators across the country, has been working to recapture ridership, and dig out of the COVID-19 pandemic slump that reshuffled commute and travel patterns built on the concept of shuttling workers from suburban housing locations to job centers. 
Skip Descant, March 30, 2026, Government Technology

DC Streetcar hits the brakes for good after decade of service

Over a million passengers rode the D.C. Streetcar in 2019, but since then, ridership numbers have not returned to that marker, according to ridership data on the DC Streetcar website. Roughly 853,000 rides occurred during Fiscal Year 2025.
Winston Rogers/Lianna Golden, March 30, 2026, ABC7 News

Spring has arrived — time to ride!

As traffic picks up, gas prices rise, and parking remains a challenge across the region, biking offers a reliable, stress-free alternative for getting to work or transit.
March 29, 2026, Fairfax Alliance for Better Bicycling

Transit wafety for the people, by the people

Last month, Congresswoman Lateefah Simon (D-Calif.) co-introduced the RIDER Safety Act to help transit agencies secure federal funding to hire “transit ambassadors” to work with the traveling public.
Jack Guan, March 30, 2026, Streetsblog USA

'Kids Ride Free' program in DC surpasses major milestone

Since its inception in 2013, Kids Ride Free has provided more than 650,000 students free transportation to help them get to school, afterschool programs and other productive activities in all eight wards of the nation’s capital.
Alan Etter, March 30, 2026, WTOP

VRE commits $66,405 over 3 years to FredNats sponsorship: what taxpayers get in return

Virginia Railway Express has entered a three-year marketing and sponsorship agreement with the Fredericksburg Nationals minor league baseball team, committing public funds totaling approximately $66,405 through the 2028 season to gain visibility among potential riders in the Fredericksburg area.
Uriah Kiser, March 27, 2026, Potomac Local News

WMATA FY2027 budget focuses on costs and service

Under the revised plan, jurisdictional subsidy growth would remain at 1.8%. Also, that level would stay below both inflation and the region’s 3% target. The proposal also maintains its focus on cost control and operational efficiency.
March 29, 2026, Railway Supply

Active transportation project calls for feedback

This funding project falls under the umbrella of “active transportation,” which is defined as any non-motorized travel used recreationally to get from one point to another. 
Samir Ali Nomani, March 26, 2026, The Fairfax Times

Metro shutting down part of Red Line this summer for construction

Metro said riders will be able to take an express shuttle directly between North Bethesda and Friendship Heights. A local shuttle will also be available to take passengers to North Bethesda, Grosvenor-Strathmore, Medical Center, Bethesda and Friendship Heights.
Gina Cook, March 26, 2026, NBC4 Washington

D.C. Metro turns 50 with birthday party, limited-edition merch, coffee table book

Metro may not feel a day over 25 with its cool merch and spiffy new trains and buses, but it took half a century to go from a modest subway to a six-line, 130-mile system that's the backbone of D.C.'s commute.
Anna Spiegel, March 27, 2026, Axios

Metro celebrates 50 years of service to the region

The Metro Rail system quickly transformed how the region moved. In the decades since, Metro has become the backbone of the region’s transportation network, with generations of customers relying on the system. 
March 26, 2026, WMATA

The very first ride. A surprise encounter. Memories of Metro's 50 years.

On March 27, 1976, the Metro rail system made its first trip, a 4.6-mile Red Line journey between Rhode Island Avenue and Farragut North in D.C. Over the next 50 years, it clocked more than 7 billion additional trips, according to the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority.
Jasmine Golden, March 27, 2026, The Washington Post

Metro's 2026 cherry blossom wraps hit the tracks

Metro is the official transit partner of the National Cherry Blossom Festival. A celebration that runs from March 20 to April 12 and kicks off the spring and tourist season in the DMV
Nicole Akumatey, March 20, 2026, ABC7 News

Bike lanes that greatly reduced crashes on National Mall set for removal

The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) is expected to begin construction Monday to remove the portion of the 15th Street NW bike lane that goes through the National Mall, which falls under the federal government’s jurisdiction via the Park Service, according to the Washington Area Bicyclist Association.
Liam Scott, March 20, 2026, The Washington Post