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.

Transit bus costs rise sharply due to tariffs

The cost of a transit bus has gone up by 68 percent since 2021, in part because of recent tariffs on steel and aluminum. Read more...
Diana Ionescu, August 4, 2025, Planetizen

Heads Up: OmniRide's changing some local bus routes this weekend

OmniRide’s service changes will take effect on Sunday, August 10. Some routes have been revised and will have new timetables. There have been map changes and additional trips added to some Express routes. Read more...
August 5, 2025, Potomac Local News

Green Line Metro stations close for major repairs

The Branch Avenue, Suitland and Naylor Road Metro stations closed over the weekend and will stay closed for weeks. Later in the month, the closures will extend to the Southern Avenue and Congress Heights stations. Read more...
Adam Tuss, August 4, 2025, NBC4 Washington

Metro safety watchdog calls for expedited work to install new radio communication system

The radio system is not only depended on for day-to-day operations, but also serves as a lifeline during emergencies. A revamp of the system that started in 2015 was supposed to be finished in 2022, but the WMSC now believes that finish date is the end of next year. Read more...
Mike Murillo, August 4, 2025, WTOP

How to get between Washington, D.C., and New York: Flying, driving, or taking the train

Each comes with its pros and cons, price point, and difficulty level. With how busy the Northeast Corridor is, it’s no wonder there are so many options to choose from! Read more...
James Larounis, August 3, 2025, Upgraded Points

Cities turn to tech to make curb ramps ADA-accessible

ADA requires localities to install or regrade curb ramps to meet current requirements when roads are constructed or changed, such as repaved. But some localities don’t have good records on where all their curb ramps are located, how they were constructed or whether they comply. Read more...
Stephanie Konowitz, August 1, 2025, Route Fifty

Transportation Secretary cancels $26 million for planned Baltimore to DC high-speed rail project

The original plan for SCMAGLEV had been to build a track and train that could run at 311 mph between Baltimore and D.C. in 15 minutes, with an intermediate stop at Baltimore Washington International Airport. Eventually, the project would have expanded to provide a one-hour service from The District to New York.   Read more...
Ittai Sopher, August 1, 2025, WUSA9

Can cities and states keep their roads in good shape?

Many states and localities struggle to make the investments necessary to preserve and maintain their transportation systems, which can impact safety, economic development and future budget needs, the report states. Read more...
Dan Zukowski, July 31, 2025, Smart Cities Dive

Smarter strategies for transit fleet electrification

Across North America, transit agencies are under growing pressure to electrify their fleets. Local and state mandates are driving the transition, and public expectations for cleaner, quieter transit are rising.  Read more...
July 31, 2025, Metro Magazine

USDOT introduces flexibility standards for Low or No Emission Grant Program

Grant recipients that are interested in making a zero-emission vehicle or zero-emission infrastructure project change request, or who want to request reconsideration of a previously denied request, should contact their FTA Regional Office and submit their request in writing detailing the requested change and the reason why. Read more...
Liz Carey, July 29, 2025, Transportation Today

Amtrak Virginia passenger rail service sets state fiscal year ridership record

VPRA notes June 2025 also set a record with 126,284 passengers traveling, which was the highest ridership the state of Virginia has seen in June since the Amtrak Virginia service launched. All four corridors recorded double-digit increases in June.  Read more...
July 30, 2025, Mass Transit Magazine

Road closures disrupt Alexandria commutes for railroad repairs

The disruption will intensify Thursday when all lanes of the George Washington Memorial Parkway close from 9 a.m. to 6 a.m. Friday, reversing the traffic pattern and pushing vehicles back onto the newly reopened Abingdon drives. Read more...
Ryan Belmore, July 31, 2025, ALXNow

Work to begin on extending I-495 ramp in McLean, affecting traffic

To make room for construction, an approximately 600-foot-long jersey barrier will be installed at the base of the existing ramp starting around 10 p.m. today. Read more...
Angela Woolsey, July 30, 2025, FFXNow

Branch Avenue Metro closure impacts Southern Maryland commuters and families traveling to D.C.

Beginning Saturday, Aug. 2, through Sunday, Aug. 31, 2025, Branch Avenue, Suitland and Naylor Road stations will be closed. These Metro stations serve as key transit hubs for commuters from Prince George’s and Charles counties.  Read more...
Jessica Jennings, July 30, 2025, The Bay Net

Montgomery County unveils Vision Zero FY26 Plan with expanded pedestrian and bike infrastructure

The plan includes expanded pedestrian and bike infrastructure, targeted enforcement on high-risk corridors, and continued investments in school safety and signal upgrades, with officials highlighting measurable progress on key corridors since the program’s inception. Read more...
July 29, 2025, The MoCo Show

Hampton Roads Transit installs smart stop bus signs at more than 2,600 locations

The smart stop bus signs allow customers to receive real-time bus information, report bus-stop cleanliness and safety issues, see route maps and schedules and buy HRT passes from a QR code. Read more...
July 29, 2025, Mass Transit Magazine

How driving less benefits us

Relying on other modes of transport — biking, transit and walking — will relax the tight sphincter of your horrible, unrealistically stuffed schedule and, due to inviolable laws of physics, force you to be less busy. Read more...
Ilse Griffin, July 29, 2025, Streets MN

Shifting gears to urban bike delivery

Shifting to bike deliveries in dense communities, though, can cut congestion, emissions and traffic violence, making them “a really effective and efficient mode for delivering in cities,” according to Cary Bearn, NACTO’s senior manager for multimodal design. Read more...
Jack Guan, July 30, 2025, Streetsblog USA

Virginia state-supported Amtrak routes set ridership record

The greatest growth among those lines was a 6.9% increase on the Roanoke route, from 338,125 to 361,420 passengers, awhile the Norfolk route carried the most passengers at 542,743, up 4.7% from the previous year. Read more...
July 29, 2025, Trains.com

What's next (and what's past) as two directors exit WMATA's board?

During the past four years, WMATA has been on a hot streak: the agency opened seven new Metrorail stations, rolled out a redesigned bus network, reduced crime to a seven-year low, improved customer satisfaction, led the nation in ridership growth, and reimplemented dormant Metrorail automation features. Read more...
Adam Bressler, July 28, 2025, Greater Greater Washington

Events: Launching Bike Walk and Bus PAC

This event will be a gathering of like-minded individuals, advocates, and local leaders who are passionate about building a sustainable future through smarter transportation policies. Read more...
Tricia Chicka, July 28, 2025, Greater Greater Washington

Drivers blocking Montgomery Co. bike lanes could soon see hefty penalties

“If there is a vehicle parked in the bike lane, the remedy would be the same as if there was a vehicle parked in an emergency parking space,” he said, adding that the county’s Department of Transportation would enforce a fine worth up to $250. Read more...
Kate Ryan, July 28, 2025, WTOP

List of top 9 US cities with best public transportation in 2025

In 2025, US cities with best public transport continue to innovate, with major metropolitan areas like New York and Washington D.C. leading the charge in enhancing urban mobility. Recent reports highlight a sustained focus on expanding reach and improving rider experience, making daily commutes and city exploration more convenient than ever for residents and visitors alike. Read more...
Harshita Singh, July 28, 2025, Jagran Josh

Smartphone, connected vehicle data could help states comply with DOT's 'Safe Roads' demand

These technologies use cameras and other sensors that have become common in most passenger vehicles manufactured in the past 10 years.  Read more...
Dan Zukowski, July 25, 2025, Smart Cities Dive

A transit-first vision for RFK doesn't end with Metrorail

A football stadium is one of the worst possible uses of publicly owned waterfront property, but, if we must, the District should take advantage of the fact that RFK, by virtue of being in a city, is extremely well-suited toward a transit-first vision. Read more...
Nick Sementelli, July 25, 2025, Greater Greater Washington

Does D.C. have the worst traffic? Not so fast.

The report says D.C. topped the list of cities with the longest commute times, with the average being 33.4 minutes. The city with the second-longest commute time was Los Angeles, which had an average time of 30.5 minutes. Read more...
Rachel Weiner/John D. Harden, July 26, 2025, The Washington Post

New data map shows higher flood risks for roads and transit networks

From Silver Spring in Maryland to the Bloomingdale neighborhood in the District and areas around the Pentagon, flash floods are creating more headaches — and more risk to transportation networks in the region. Read more...
Kate Ryan, July 24, 2025, WTOP

No cars allowed on this major street in Silver Spring

Various stages of construction have been taking place across the future light rail line’s 16-mile stretch since 2017. With service projected to begin in late 2027, the saga of the Purple Line’s construction is poised to occupy an entire decade. Read more...
Mark Clements, July 24, 2025, Greater Greater Washington

N. Va. commission explores using video tech to fine drivers in bus-only lanes

Drivers who block bus traffic across Northern Virginia could someday receive fines based on video evidence from cameras mounted on Metrobuses, Fairfax Connector buses and those of other transit systems. Read more...
Scott McCaffrey, July 23, 2025, FFXNow

Metrobus roll out of new routes causing frustration for some riders

It's only been a few weeks since these new routes went into effect--really a complete overhaul of the system--but just about every rider we spoke with say they want to go back to the old way. Read more...
July 24, 2025, Fox 5 News

Family Biking Matters: Which route app should I use?

The biggest advantage is familiarity and seamless integration with other phone activities. However, Google Maps doesn’t necessarily prioritize safety.  Read more...
Sava Tshontikidis, July 23, 2025, Greater Greater Washington

Metro riders sound alarm on duplicate charges

Metro told News4 that upon review, the customer's bag came into contact with the faregate and her card was inadvertently charged. Metro also said more than 1.8 million trips have been paid for with credit and debit cards since the program launched, and there have only been 138 refund requests. Read more...
Adam Tuss, July 23, 2025, NBC4 Washington

County Board adopts new transportation vision, falling short of some advocates' transit goals

The vision statement and goals are another step toward the eventual modernization of the transportation portion of the county government’s Comprehensive Plan. The effort, set to conclude in 2026, will replace the current Master Transportation Plan, adopted in 2007. Read more...
Scott McCaffrey, July 23, 2025, ARLNow