News

Regional transportation news stories compiled by CommuterPage.com. Subscribe to a daily email with the most recent news, recent ACCS blog posts, and upcoming events. Every CommuterPage.com News email includes an "unsubscribe" link.

Take OmniRide for a better commute

In addition to transit options, OmniRide offers a free personalized ride-matching service to help commuters find a carpool or vanpool. OmniRide Ridesharing uses the Commuter Connections database to link commuters who live and work near one another and who have similar work hours. Read more...
February 20, 2025, Bristow Beat

A monumental misstep: How new transit center missed the mark

Equipped with over 800 parking spaces, eight bus bays, bike racks, and an electric vehicle charging station, Fairfax County touts the center as a “vital hub, connecting commuters to key destinations.” Read more...
Sofia Alli, February 20, 2025, Fairfax Times

Capital Bikeshare ridership in Alexandria hit new record high last year

“The best month of the year, and system history, occurred in October with 16,215 unique trips,” a report to the Traffic and Parking Board said. “The most popular stations were Braddock Road Metro South, Mount Vernon Trail & South Washington Street, and Prince Street & Union Street.” Read more...
Vernon Miles, February 20, 2025, ALXNow

Is the intercity bus about to have its big moment?

Researchers at DePaul University analyzed more than 60 routes to make the bold prediction that intercity bus ridership will grow by 4 percent in 2025, outpacing projected growth in both domestic auto and air travel by more than 1 percent. Read more...
Kea Wilson, February 20, 2025, Streetsblog USA

Inside Maryland's transportation lab that keeps the DMV moving

The wall in the lab is covered in massive monitors. Simultaneously looking at roadway sensors, highway cameras, and temperature readings, all with the constant sound of public dispatch scanners calling out information. Read more...
Matt Gregory, February 19, 2025, WUSA9

New Greater Washington Partnership report shows ripple effects of Maryland Transit Administration's capital and operating expenditures

According to the Greater Washington Partnership, the study is a tool to inform a holistic analysis of the impact of transit investments – not just for riders, but for the broader economy.   Read more...
February 19, 2025, Mass Transit Magazine

Planning for new Eisenhower Metro station park to kick off next year (or sooner)

The project will engage the community and WMATA to develop a plan for the park proposed under the Eisenhower Metrorail tracks as part of the Eisenhower East Small Area implementation. The planning process will begin in Winter 2026-27. Read more...
Vernon Miles, February 19, 2025, ALXNow

Weekend track work: Buses replace trains between Medical Center and Van Ness on Red Line Feb 22-23

Shuttle buses replace trains between Medical Center and Van Ness. Crews will be working to replace the switch machines in the interlocking where trains are able to cross between separate tracks. Read more...
February 19, 2025, WMATA

Know someone who needs help navigating Metro? There's an app for that

Funded through a grant from the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments, Arc2Independence is a virtual guide that allows people with IDD conditions to have a constant companion while navigating public transportation. Read more...
Matt Kaufax, February 20, 2025, WTOP

Commuter incentives, resources available as workers return to office in DC area

 As hundreds of thousands of people in the D.C. area return to in-person work following President Donald Trump’s order ending remote work for federal employees last month, officials are reminding commuters of free resources in the region. Read more...
Gabby Allen, February 18, 2025, DC News Now

Union Station added to Metro TAP-to-Exit program

Metro ambassadors and TAP Blue Shirts will be on-site to assist passengers with loading their fares, and representatives for Metro's LIFE -- a fare reduction program  -- will help enroll income-qualified riders. Read more...
February 18, 2025, KFI

Maryland's Purple Line providing grants to businesses, communities near rail corridor

MDOT says the larger, four-year program will make $4 million available for businesses impacted by closures and detours, as well as marketing support for those companies. Read more...
Dan Ronan, February 19, 2025, WTOP

Metro on track for a turnaround

Metro, which plugged a $750 million budget gap last year, says it has saved $500 million over the past two years while making improvements to passenger experience, like better station signs and maps. Read more...
Cuneyt Dil, February 18, 2025, Axios

How rail operators are tackling the transition to cleaner technology

The transition to zero-emission technology on the bus side is well documented, yet significant challenges remain for passenger rail agencies to make a similar net-zero transition. Read more...
John Batey, February 18, 2025, Mass Transit Magazine

Virginia speed camera program set aside for further review

Speed cameras have become a significant source of revenue for some localities across Virginia. In 2023, 12 agencies in Virginia reported 326,614 speed camera citations, leading to $19.9 million in fines, a 370% increase from the $4.2 million in 2022. Read more...
Shirleen Guerra, February 13, 2025, The Center Square

Lane, ramp closures on northbound I-495 in Tysons start Monday

Through March 1, expect lane closures and traffic stoppages during the overnight hours on northbound Interstate 495 between Route 7 and north of Dulles Toll Road. Read more...
Jeffery Leon, February 17, 2025, WTOP

Metro considers banning violent offenders

Courts are able to ban riders, but court orders often only last a few weeks and only prohibit access to the specific bus line or train station where the crime is committed, according to WMATA. Read more...
Joseph Olmo, February 13, 2025, NBC4 Washington

Proposed May 2025 Fairfax Connector service adjustments

If approved, the changes will be included in the May 2025 route changes that were presented to the public in November 2024. Those routes include: 352, 353, 598, 599, 642, 652. Read more...
February 12, 2025, Fairfax County

President of ongoing D.C. to Bmore Maglev train project shares promising new update

The project, which has been a decade in the making, is currently still in the same ‘regulatory review and permitting process’ that it has been for around seven years, however, the president’s update suggested that this “nightmare” stage might be coming to an end soon. Read more...
Alex Striano, February 13, 2025, Secret DC

Intercity bus service on the upswing

Long distance and regional bus lines are buying more motor coaches as they see growing ridership. Read more...
Dan Zukowski, February 13, 2025, Smart Cities Dive

Flash buses, stations in Montgomery County decorated with hearts to celebrate love

With neon lights and heart decals, passengers can ride five buses servicing Colesville Road and Columbia Pike/US 29 in style. The department also decorated the Four Corners, Burnt Mills, White Oak, and Briggs-Chaney Flash bus stations with hearts that read “Let love take flight.” Read more...
Odyssey Fields, February 14, 2025, DC News Now

Chesapeake backs effort to expand HRT's on-demand rideshare program

Chesapeake City Council voted unanimously Tuesday to support Hampton Roads Transit’s application for a state grant that would help establish what’s been dubbed a “microtransit” zone in Chesapeake in an effort to expand access to fixed bus routes for longer distance trips across the region. Read more...
Natalie Anderson, February 14, 2025, Mass Transit Magazine

WMATA launches free Waymap navigation app to improve transit access for riders with vision impairments

Waymap’s SmartStep™ technology gives step-by-step audio instructions with up to three feet of accuracy throughout a user’s journey. Waymap notes that with over 32 million square feet of real estate mapped globally, its services do not rely on mobile phone signal, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth beacons, GPS or other physical infrastructure.   Read more...
February 12, 2025, Mass Transit Magazine

Metrobus to resume normal service Thursday after winter storm disruptions

Metrobus will resume normal service on Thursday starting at 4 a.m., after operating under a severe snow plan following a winter storm that left dozens of buses immobilized. Read more...
February 12, 2025, Fox 5 News

FTA's proposal to end taxicab exception for paratransit contractors could slow down rides

There are fears in the industry that services such as paratransit, which private companies have increasingly provided for public transit agencies, would be hindered as a result.  Read more...
Aden Yacobi, February 12, 2025, Greater Greater Washington

This app makes D.C. one of the most accessible transit networks in the world

A groundbreaking new app will make it possible for people with visual impairments to navigate every transit stop in the nation's capital — and its founders hope it will spark a deeper conversation about how technology can help everyone choose shared modes with confidence and ease. Read more...
Kea Wilson, February 12, 2025, Streetsblog USA

The missing ingredients in America's minimobility revolution

Cargo trikes, GEMs, bike rickshaws, and other light electric vehicles could help wean America off cars — but a new grant that could help cities encourage their adoption is being paused by the Trump administration. Read more...
February 11, 2025, Streetsblog USA

Train usage spikes in Virginia

State-supported Amtrak trains set a ridership record in 2024 with 1,389,840 rider trips, the highest figure since Virginia started its state-supported service in 2009, the authority said in a news release. Read more...
Scott Shenk, February 11, 2025, Mass Transit Magazine

A step backward for paratransit? What riders stand to lose

For many paratransit riders, transportation dictates what is possible in a day. A rigid system requires advance planning and limited options, while a flexible one adapts to real needs as they arise. It’s about having the freedom to participate fully in daily life.  Read more...
Kristoffer Vik Hansen, February 10, 2025, Mass Transit Magazine

Metro starting new elevator modernization project updating 27 elevators

Each project should take about two and a half to three and a half months to complete, and the elevators will be out of service during that time. Customers with accessibility needs who use elevators can still get to these stations via a shuttle at nearby stations. Read more...
February 10, 2025, WMATA

Metro presents proposed budget; achieved $500 million in savings the last two years

Metro’s ridership, revenue, and customer satisfaction numbers have continued to grow over the last 45 months. Last quarter, revenue was 16% above budgeted projections with increased paid rail ridership.  Read more...
February 10, 2025, The MoCo Show

Traffic congestion in DC expected to rise as federal employees return to offices

Ward 6 Councilman Charles Allen cautioned that traffic congestion in the District will significantly worsen as federal employees return to their offices.  Read more...
February 10, 2025, ABC7 News

Commuter rail to Loudoun: The next chapter

In the historic, densely populated downtowns of Loudoun and Fairfax, improving access to transit does more than simply help people get to work; it will also protect and revitalize these areas.  Read more...
Ryan Jones, February 7, 2025, Greater Greater Washington

With limited parking, thousands of workers to return in-person at Washington Navy Yard

Naval District Washington said its leaders have worked with area government and officials and police departments “to inform efforts for public safety and traffic control, and the base has been working with its tenant commands to ensure a smooth transition back to the office.” Read more...
Matt Small, February 10, 2025, WTOP

3rd grader shares his love for transit with letter to DC Metro

Metro shared the following on social media. “We love our young transit enthusiasts! Noah, a 3rd grader at Forest Knolls Elementary School, wrote about how Metro inspires him, and his teacher shared it with us. How inspiring!”  Read more...
February 8, 2025, The MoCo Show

As of January 2025, Student Advantage is no longer selling Discount Memberships. Go to the Student Advantage website for further information and membership status.

As of January 2025, Student Advantage is no longer selling Discount Memberships. Go to the Student Advantage website for further information and membership status. Read more...