News

Latest News

Evolution of Metrorail cars to be displayed on National Mall

Metro is going to showcase its newest and oldest railcars on the National Mall June 25 to July 10 for the Great American State Fair.
Adam Tuss, June 16, 2026, NBC4 Washington

'We will all get through this': Officials anticipate challenging summer with Red Line closure, use of shuttle buses

Starting July 6, a portion of the Red Line from North Bethesda to Friendship Heights will be closed for two months for major construction work. During the closure, which is expected to last until Sept. 6, the Bethesda, Medical Center and Grosvenor-Strathmore stations will be closed and inaccessible.
Elia Griffin, June 16, 2026, Bethesda Today

Washington County Transit to offer free rides

National Dump the Pump Day is an annual nationwide initiative that encourages residents to leave their cars at home and experience the benefits of public transportation. By choosing transit, riders can save money on fuel, reduce traffic congestion and help improve air quality throughout the community.
June 16, 2026, LocalNews1.org

Metro celebrates 50 years of service, looks to future of transit

The story of Metro began with the opening of five Red Line stations in 1976. The system then expanded to include the Blue, Orange, Yellow and Green lines, eventually completing a 103-mile system with 83 stations by 2001.
Max Marcilla, June 16, 2026, DC News Now

WMATA marking metro rail's gold anniversary, America's semiquincentennial

According to WMATA, its exhibition, “America’s Metro System,” is a nod to Metro’s past and present, featuring the first 1000-series railcar from Rohr Industries, refurbished to its “1976-era glory,” and a mock-up of the new 8000-series railcars from Hitachi, which are expected to start arriving for testing in late 2027.
Marybeth Luczak, June 16, 2026, Railway Age

Metro, LCOR complete 20-year transformation at North Bethesda Station

Developed on 1.6 acres of Metro-owned property through Metro’s Joint Development Program, Envoi is the final piece of a two million-square-foot mixed-use development that includes 1,300 residential units — 164 of which are affordable — alongside retail, green space, and walkable access to transit.
June 16, 2026, WMATA

Flights at Reagan National Airport to stop after noon on July 4

No flights are scheduled at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) after noon on July 4, airport officials announced Tuesday. Flights for part of July 3 and on a list of dates in June, July and August also may be affected.
Joseph Olmo, June 16, 2026, NBC4 Washington

How transit agencies are tackling rising fuel costs

Almost two-thirds of transit buses in the U.S. run on diesel, a fuel whose price has jumped 60% since this time last year, according to the Bureau of Transportation Statistics. 
Dan Zukowski, June 12, 2026, Smart Cities Dive

Bus-only lanes to speed up shuttles during Red Line summer construction in Montgomery County

Trains will not run between North Bethesda and Friendship Heights, but free Express and Local shuttle buses using the temporary dedicated lanes will replace train service during that time. Shuttles will run every 5-8 minutes during Metro Rail operating hours.
June 15, 2026, WMATA

Red Line shutdown begins July 6 as commuters brace for major summer disruptions

To maintain service, WMATA will deploy about 100 free shuttle buses operating between North Bethesda and Friendship Heights. Officials say buses will run frequently during weekday mornings and throughout the day, with both local and express options. 
Isabel Soisson/Homa Bash, June 15, 2026, Fox 5 News

Alexandria launches car-free museum passport challenge

New mobility guide encourages residents and visitors to explore all eight Historic Alexandria museums using transit, bikes, scooters, and walking—with a prize waiting at the finish line.
Mary Wadland, June 12, 2026, Zebra

U.S. Transportation Department to award $626.7M in grants

Funding will be allocated in two ways. Surface transportation projects of national and regional significance will be awarded $426.7 million. The application deadline is July 1. Projects that increase commercial motor vehicle parking will be awarded $200 million. 
Melina Druga, June 12, 2026, Transportation Today

WMATA celebrates America 250 with exhibition on National Mall

The exhibition includes Metro’s first 1000-series railcar, refurbished to its 1976-era glory. The event will also feature the newest edition to Metro’s fleet, an 8000-series railcar. 
Britta Miller, June 13, 2026, Washington Examiner

Pride-themed Ride On bus hits Montgomery County roads

This year’s bus features the theme “Radiating Love,” with bright colors extending from a central point and illuminated elements designed to stand out at night. The bus includes Ride With Pride messaging and is intended to highlight LGBTQ+ voices, culture and civil rights.
Patrick Herron June 12, 2026, The MoCo Show

Lime adds more e-bikes and e-scooters in select World Cup cities

Host cities, transportation agencies, intercity bus operators and ride-hailing companies are preparing for a surge of World Cup visitors, which could increase traffic congestion on game days, transportation experts say.
Dan Zukowski, June 11, 2026, Smart Cities Dive

Why transit access could be a hidden homebuying bargain

As households across the country try to bring down the total cost of daily life, the more central (and maybe more expensive) home near public transit is starting to look more like a financial advantage. But in a market defined by scarcity, transit-oriented housing may be the scarcest of all.
June 10, 2026, WDC News

NVTC seeks Alexandria input on Route 7 transit upgrades at listening tour stop

Listening sessions have been key components of Envision Route 7, the regional effort led by NVTC to find both short-term and permanent improvements to the 14-mile corridor between Tysons and Mark Center. 
Scott McCaffrey, June 11, 2026, ALXNow

Weekend rail work at Crystal City Metro finishes two weeks early

The era of shuttle buses operating on the weekend at Crystal City is over, and Blue and Yellow Line trains are back to operating as usual, the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority announced on social media.
Dan Egitto, June 11, 2026, ARLNow

Which US cities have the most housing near transit?

According to Freemark, "Residents of the New York City, San Francisco, and Washington, DC, regions have more than four times the amount of bus and rail service per capita as residents in Detroit, Indianapolis, and Memphis." Consequently, residents of these cities use transit seven times as frequently as Americans in other regions.
Diana Ionescu, June 10, 2026, Planetizen

Want to use Hampton Roads, Va., transit? There's an app

Hampton Roads Transit passengers can now use the GoMobile app to pay their fares, the agency said. It provides light rail, bus, ferry and paratransit service in eight cities and towns.
Gavin Stone, June 10, 2026, Government Technology

Metro and DC Public Library partner to bring new library to Congress Heights

This bus loop reconfiguration also created a development opportunity to partner with DC Public Library to provide a full-service library in this community. Construction of the library will begin later this year after the new bus loop construction is underway.
June 10, 2026, WMATA

Maryland ranks high on transit access, but more work remains

While many homes are located near some form of bus or rail service, far fewer are close to frequent, dependable public transit that residents can realistically use for daily travel.
Dominic Butchko, June 9, 2026, Maryland Association of Counties

New bus only lanes installed as Metro prepares for summer Red Line closures

This summer Metro will close Red Line service between North Bethesda and Friendship Heights for two months. Ahead of the closure, new bus only lanes have been installed to help commuters.
June 9, 2026, NBC4 Washington

Alexandria seeks $35M in VDOT grants for King Street, Mount Vernon Avenue projects

The project would take the two-way access road parallel to King Street and the Bradlee Shopping Center and turn it into a one-way westbound street with a dedicated bus lane and a two-way bicycle trail.
James Cullum, June 9, 2026, ALXNow

Bicycles deliver the freedom auto ads promise

Thanks to Bikes@Vienna, Northern Virginia’s headquarters for recumbent, trike, and folding bicycles, four Fairfax County buses are now displaying a simple but powerful message: “Bicycles Deliver the Freedom Auto Ads Promise.”
June 9, 2026, Fairfax Alliance for Better Bicycling

FTA plans family-friendly transit scorecard for agencies nationwide

The family-friendly transit dashboard is part of a broader effort by the FTA and U.S. Department of Transportation to increase transparency, accountability, and service quality across the nation's public transportation systems, said officials.
June 8, 2026, Metro Magazine

Major upgrades complete on a busy stretch of GW Parkway

Work began in 2022 and included paving, improving drainage, restoring stone walls and upgrading other infrastructure. It was the first major rehabilitation of the northern section of the parkway since it opened in 1962, the Interior Department said.
Mike Murillo, June 8, 2026, WTOP

How Metro's summer Red Line shutdown will affect commuters on Rockville Pike, Wisconsin Avenue

From July 6 through Sept. 6, Metro will be doing major construction at three stations, which will be closed to the public and will not be served by Metrorail: Grosvenor-Strathmore, Medical Center and Bethesda.
Neal Augenstein, June 8, 2026, WTOP

MD 355 to lose lanes for summer Metro closures, threatening commuter delays

The new lane restrictions will take effect right after the Fourth of July to accommodate Metro's two-month closure of the Bethesda, Medical Center and Grosvenor-Strathmore stations, officials said. 
Bob Barnard, June 8, 2026, Fox 5 News

Metro CEO knocks N. Va. leaders for inconsistency in bus fares, enforcement

At the June 4 meeting of the Northern Virginia Transportation Commission (NVTC), Clarke suggested that riders aren’t entirely to blame for the region’s high rate of fare evasion — and that local leaders should do more to help.
Scott McCaffrey, June 8, 2026, ARLNow

Report: Just 10% of US households live near 'frequent, reliable' transit

The report recommends that cities continue supporting zoning policies that allow denser housing near transit and invest in frequent transit and quality-of-life improvements in transit-adjacent areas that can attract new development.
Diana Ionescu, June 7, 2026, Planetizen

New 495 NEXT trail opens June 27

The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) and Transurban have announced that the new shared-use bicycle and pedestrian trail constructed as part of the 495 Express Lanes Northern Extension (495 NEXT) project will officially open to the public on June 27. 
June 7, 2026, FABB

Fairfax delegate's new law sets statewide ceiling on parking requirements near transit

Under the law, localities can’t impose conditions or adopt and enforce zoning ordinances requiring developers to provide more than 0.5 parking spaces per dwelling unit at multifamily or mixed-use developments, or one space per dwelling unit for one-family and two-family homes and townhouses in qualifying transit-oriented areas.
Emily Leayman, June 5, 2026, FFXNow

Where do states rank on access to public transit?

A new analysis from the Urban Institute finds only 10 percent of American homes are located within half a mile of frequent public transit service, with significant variation from place to place.
Jared Brey, June 5, 2026, Governing

Metro announces service for Pride Parade; themed vehicles to debut for Pride Month

This June, Metro is celebrating Pride Month with a specially wrapped train, bus, and Metro Access vehicle, featuring the theme “Proudly Join Us on Metro.” The vehicles will travel throughout the system from June 5-30, and the Pride bus and Metro Access vehicle will participate in the Capital Pride Parade alongside nearly 100 Metro employees.
June 4, 2026, WMATA

Commentary The BUILD America 250 Act: What Congress gets right and wrong in its new transportation bill

The bill text now offers the public—and members of Congress not on the committee—a window into how committee members imagine the federal government can best support planning and investment in the country’s roads, rails, and trails.
Adie Tomer/Ben Swedberg, June 2, 2026, Brookings

Metro cracking down on fare evasion, 800+ citations issued

Just over a week since WMATA announced it was cracking down on fare evasion, the transit authority says it's already issued more than 800 citations so far.
June 3, 2026, Fox 5 News

Meet the man who created World Bicycle Day and has kept the ride going

As cyclists cluster on a small side street near Union Station, preparing for a six-mile communal ride, Leszek Sibilski steps off his trusty road bike in a red-and-white suit that evokes his years representing Poland on its national cycling team.
Kendall Staton, June 3, 2026, The Washington Post