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.
Train services restored after track fire outside Stadium-Armory Metro Station
Several trains were delayed after a track bed caught on fire outside the Stadium-Armory Metro Station in D.C. Tuesday night. Just before 8 p.m. on June 3, the DC Fire and EMS Department (DCFD) responded to the 3400 block of Bennind Road in Northeast.
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Anna Chen/Odyssey Fields, June 3, 2025, DC News Now
Blind pedestrians sue D.C. over unsafe crosswalks
The pedestrians, all of whom are blind, are among five people suing the District, alleging that it doesn’t provide enough working signals that make it safe for them to cross the street.
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Jasmine Hilton, June 1, 2025, The Washington Post
Trump budget calls for 25% cut in Amtrak Northeast Corridor funding
According to the detailed DOT budget request, Amtrak national network funding would increase by $291 million, with the overall Amtrak budget down by $763,000.
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David Lassen, June 2, 2025, Trains
The household auto fleet is a money pit
Replacing a car with an e-bike can save a household $120,000 over a decade—enough to wipe out debt, fund a college account, or boost retirement savings.
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Andy Boenau, June 2, 2025, Fast Company
Congressman proposes bill to rename DC Metro "Trump Train"
In a bill brought before the U.S. House of Representatives last week, Rep. Greg Steube (R-Fla.) calls for revoking federal funding to the agency if it refuses to go through with the name change.
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Diana Ionescu, June 2, 2025, Planetizen
New Metro bus network expected to begin June 29, residents supporting the project
Metro is redesigning its entire bus network for the first time in 50 years. Every route will get a new name, some routes will change, and some new connections are coming. Metro GM and CEO Randy Clarke says work has been underway since 2022 to improve the bus system.
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Tim Reid, June 2, 2025, DC News Now
Innovating fare collection: How three transit agencies are rethinking revenue, ridership and the rider experience
From fare freezes to new pricing models and vending machines, the TTC, WMATA and PRT are evolving how they collect and manage fares.
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Brandon Lewis, June 2, 2025, Mass Transit Magazine
VDOT leans toward two toll lanes on I-495 across Woodrow Wilson Bridge
With its I-495 Southside Express Lanes study, VDOT identified 10 options for relieving congestion on the Beltway before pushing two forward as “build” alternatives — one with a single toll lane in each direction and one with two lanes — as well as one “no-build” alternative.
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Vernon Miles, June 2, 2025, FFXNow
Arlington streetcar critics take victory lap over D.C.'s plans to kill similar project
Underscoring the difficult logistics of D.C.’s streetcar service, especially its high price tag, onetime opponents of the Columbia Pike streetcar hold up the latest news as evidence that Arlington’s initiative wouldn’t have worked.
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Scott McCaffrey, June 2, 2025, ARLNow
One structural change could shift everything about how transportation works in America
Advocates are pushing for a simple but potentially seismic change in how America delegates its federal transportation dollars — by giving more funds directly to the regional governments whose taxpayers disproportionately generate them, to meet local transportation priorities that disproportionately get overlooked.
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Kea Wilson, June 2, 2025, Streetsblog USA
Metro's policy to ban violent and sexual offenders begins June 2025
The purpose of the banning policy is to prohibit a person who commits a sex crime or a sex-related crime, anyone who violates Metro’s Passenger Conduct Rule, or a person who commits any assault on a Metro employee, contractor, or customer from entering or using the Metro system, properties, or facilities for more than 24 hours.
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June 1, 2025, WMATA
WMATA customers can now 'Tap. Ride. Go.' with contactless credit, debit cards at Metrorail station faregates
Physical and mobile SmarTrip cards will continue to be an option to pay for fares and parking. WMATA notes the Tap. Ride. Go. will be available for use on Metrobuses and at WMATA parking facilities in the future.
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May 30, 2025, Mass Transit Magazine
Federal worker changes eyed for impact on local economy, transportation
The uncertainty over federal jobs cuts has D.C.-area leaders scrambling to make sure people who have lost their jobs want to stay in the region.
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Adam Tuss, May 29, 2025, NBC4 Washington
Empowering the next generation of transit riders
Many transit agencies nationwide struggle to attract younger riders. With the continued decline in the number of teenagers getting their driver’s licenses, Hampton Roads Transit (HRT) sees opportunities to attract—and retain—the next generation of transit customers.
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Gus Maxwell, May 30, 2025, Mass Transit Magazine
GOP proposed bill would change Metro to 'Trump Train'
In a new bill, Florida Rep. Greg Steube proposed the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority, or WMATA, would no longer receive federal funds until it’s renamed to the “Washington Metropolitan Authority for Greater Access,” or WMAGA. It would also rebrand Metrorail as the “Trump Train.”
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Ciara Wells, May 29, 2025, WTOP
How Metro just made it more convenient for Washington Capitals fans to get to games
The new payment method will enable travelers to bypass fare machines and SmarTrip cards, although SmarTrip cards — both physical and mobile — will remain an option for paying fares and parking.
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Chris Cerullo, May 28, 2025, RMNB
Walking and biking trail from Manassas to Alexandria? Officials commission study
The city of Manassas has partnered with Manassas Park and Prince William County to commission a feasibility study that will determine the cost of setting a three-mile section of trail adjacent to the Virginia Railway Express’ Manassas line starting in the city’s downtown.
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Rick Horner, May 28, 2025, Inside NoVa
Kiss SmarTrip cards goodbye with Metro's new 'Tap. Ride. Go.' feature
Metro suggests tapping one specific card on the turnstile pad, rather than tapping an entire wallet, to ensure the intended card is used. Charges will show up on a credit card statement as Metro.
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Neal Augenstein, May 28, 2025, WTOP
The budding expansion of OmniRide's microtransit in Prince William County
OmniRide Connect, the brand given to the service’s microtransit branch, is available on the OmniRide Mobility mobile app alongside OmniRide Access, the organization’s paratransit arm.
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Sebastien Kraft, May 27, 2025, Inside NoVa
WMATA unveils 'Project Connect' to transform North Bethesda Metro station
In the reimagined station, there will be two public plazas and a new north end entrance. Plus, a new life sciences institute in partnership with the University of Maryland will go in above the station, among other additions.
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Sophie Rosenthal/Jacqueline Quynh, May 27, 2025, WUSA9
Mayor says D.C. Streetcar is going away, 'next generation streetcar' is coming
The single D.C. Streetcar line, which runs from Union Station to the edge of the RFK Stadium site, took far longer to build than planned. A lack of separation from car traffic means double-parkers can block the tracks, making bus service more reliable.
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Rachel Weiner, May 27, 2025, The Washington Post
Metro starts tap-to-pay contactless payment at stations
You won’t need a SmarTrip card to ride on the Metro anymore. Starting Wednesday, riders can tap their phone or a physical credit or debit card to pay to get in the station.
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Joseph Olmo, May 28, 2025, NBC4 Washington
What transportation priorities could get cut under the GOP's 'Big, Beautiful' budget bill
In addition to making harder for U.S. residents to buy EVs, the One Big Beautiful Bill would also charge a cool $250 a year just to register them — and the drivers of hybrid cars will have to pony up $100, too.
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Kea Wilson, May 27, 2025, Streetsblog USA
WMATA to begin automatic train operations on Green, Yellow lines
Train operators will continue to work in the cab and will still be responsible for the safety of the customers. With ATO taking over some tasks, operators can better observe safety concerns and the environment around the train, monitor track conditions and close the doors when passengers are safely onboard.
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May 22, 2025, Mass Transit Magazine
Amtrak state-sponsored services set ridership records in April
The Borealis train saw ridership increase by 227 percent from May 2024 to April 2025 while Amtrak Virginia saw its highest ridership recorded for the month of April.
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Brandon Lewis, May 22, 2025, Mass Transit Magazine
Alexandria secures $160,000 for safer streets: Beauregard Trail & Braddock Road projects funded
The Beauregard Trail project will receive funding from the TLC and will create conceptual designs and cost estimates for a trail on North Beauregard Street. Potential upgrades include a shared-use path, improved crosswalks, median islands, concrete work, signs, signals, and landscaping.
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Ryan Belmore, May 22, 2025, ALXNow
D.C. Circulator buses find new homes far from the city
A traveler found one operating as a shuttle in Boston. Others spotted the blazing red buses in Indio, California, transporting attendees of the Coachella and Stagecoach music festivals.
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Hau Chu, May 23, 2025, The Washington Post
Va. transportation board approves nearly $1 billion in funding for SMART SCALE projects
Localities and planning districts submit their project applications every two and half years in the SMART SCALE process, and the state scores them using a funding formula to identify their transportation needs compared to other applications.
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Nathaniel Cline, May 22, 2025, ALXNow
Opinion: Make buses more like sidewalks
A well-run bus system is an express sidewalk—a piece of infrastructure that dramatically expands the number of destinations within walking distance.
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Diana Ionescu, May 21, 2025, Planetizen
D.C.-area leaders support more bus-system collaboration, but remain uneasy over specifics
At its most recent meeting on May 16, the task force considered a proposed regional bus priority fund that would centralize funding for use in developing and maintaining high-frequency bus lines that cross jurisdictional boundaries.
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Scott McCaffrey, May 21, 2025, FFXNow
Ongoing Purple Line construction leaves businesses struggling in DC
Crews have shut down this entire area for the Purple Line construction project. Hardly any pedestrians passing, one-way traffic. Certainly no parking and sadly, there are a lot of empty storefronts due to businesses simply not lasting.
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Shirin Rajaee, May 21, 2025, Fox 5 News
Automatic train operation returning to Metro's Green, Yellow lines
Computer-controlled automated train operations will resume on the Green and Yellow lines, as they have on the Red Line.
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Adam Tuss, May 22, 2025, NBC4 Washington
How much can renters save by switching from a car commute to using public transit?
Alternatively, the annual costs associated with commuting by public transportation are significantly lower. On average, whereas a car commute might equate to a little more than $8,000, taking the bus costs just $972 per year.
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Andra Hopulele, May 20, 2025, Bristow Beat