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 agencies focus on delivering seamless digital ticketing experiences

There are multiple ways for mass transit providers to connect with passengers, including the reliability of their service, how comfortable the ride experience is, and the types of amenities they offer, such as Wi-Fi.  Read more...
Fernando Herkenhoff, July 14, 2025, Metro Magazine

Key takeaways for public transit, passenger rail funding from House Appropriations FY 2026 THUD Appropriations Bill

The total funding for public transit for FY26 is $3.1 billion, or 13.9 percent less than the funding level authorized in the IIJA. However, it does fully fund the public transit contract authority at $14.64 billion, as provided in the IIJA.  Read more...
Megan Perrero, July 15, 2025, Mass Transit Magazine

The future of transit isn't flashy, it's functional

While tech visionaries promote high-speed concepts like ET3’s vacuum-sealed capsules, true transformation will come from transportation solutions that are accessible, reliable, and affordable—like modernizing existing transit infrastructure, digitizing bus routes, and reducing traffic congestion.  Read more...
Tory Patrick, July 11, 2025, Fast Company

Disabled travelers say they love Amtrak, but it doesn't always love them back

Of those complaints, 39 percent were about customer service and staff interactions rather than infrastructure. Amtrak “could be exposed to unnecessary financial, reputational, and legal risks from service that does not consistently meet its standards,” the IG’s office said. Read more...
Rachel Weiner, July 15, 2025, The Washington Post

Where Americans walk and bike most often

Transportation data firm StreetLight ranked all continental U.S. counties with at least 150 people per square mile by their share of trips taken via "active transportation" — walking and biking — compared to vehicles in 2023. Read more...
Alex Fitzpatrick, July 15, 2025, Axios

How the Better Bus network overhauled naming conventions

New routes are a big deal for Metrobus riders because the built environment gives them fewer clues about routes and stops than subway or streetcar riders get: a small sign on a pole by the side of the road, a bus shelter that announces “this is where you get on,” a flashing sign on the bus that hints at the route and destination. Read more...
Martin Miller, July 14, 2025, Greater Greater Washington

Expect more congestion over 'vital link' between Virginia into DC

The Theodore Roosevelt Bridge, which DDOT called a vital link between D.C. and Arlington, normally carries four lanes of traffic eastbound over the Potomac River and Theodore Roosevelt Island into D.C., and three lanes westbound toward Arlington. Read more...
Matt Small, July 14, 2025, WTOP

The 10 most walkable cities in America, according to experts and locals

The best part of traveling to a new city is often walking around and exploring — discovering small parks, finding cute neighborhood shops, and stumbling upon local cafés or unexpected gems. But not all cities in the U.S. are truly walkable. Read more...
Ben Kesslen, July 14, 2025, Quartz

Making shared micromobility more inclusive

Cities and shared mobility system operators can do more to include people with disabilities in planning and operations, per a new report. Read more...
Diana Ionescu, July 11, 2025, Planetizen

How the 'Big Beautiful Bill' impacts transportation

For one, the bill eliminates a modest but important benefit for bike commuters, as well as other clean commuting benefits. Read more...
Diana Ionescu, July 14, 2025, Planetizen

New D.C. bus system's growing pains bring headaches for some riders

Thousands of D.C.-area riders are adjusting to the Better Bus Network, which launched June 29. Hundreds of stops disappeared, routes were added and eliminated and every route name changed. Read more...
Sophia Solano/Rachel Weiner, July 12, 2025, The Washington Post

Fleet of laser-equipped robots begins survey of Arlington sidewalks

The bots, which went live at the start of this month, use a combination of laser scanners, mobile mapping, AI and machine learning to look for defects like cracks, weeds or gaps of at least half an inch. Read more...
Ryan Cole, July 11, 2025, ARLNow

Ranking shows how Fairfax's bicycle-friendliness stacks up to other U.S. cities

To evaluate the “quality and connectedness” of the bicycle networks in different localities, the annual ranking factors in a variety of categories. Fairfax City ranked highest for access to retail with a score of 76, but it scored 0 for transit — meaning bicycle access to major transit hubs is very limited. Read more...
Vernon Miles, July 11, 2025, FFXNow

New report shows pedestrian fatalities drop — but experts say not enough

The group celebrated the fact that fatalities and reckless driving have started to settle after the pandemic, when they say a lack of cars on the road, combined with less police enforcement, induced an epidemic of reckless driving. Read more...
Matthew Sage, July 11, 2025, Streetsblog USA

New gangways and digital displays highlight WMATA's railcar upgrades

Part of the railcar design improves upon the interior, adding more handholds and poles, making room for multi-purpose areas for strollers, bikes and large luggage. Walkways will be made wider for easier mobility, and the railcars will have a new seat design.  Read more...
Alanea Cremen, July 10, 2025, WUSA9

Future of Metrorail: A look at 8000 series railcars as Metro pushes back debut

Metro is set to debut its next generation of railcars, but 8000-series trains will hit the tracks later than previously expected.  Read more...
Joseph Olmo, July 8, 2025, NBC4 Washington

Vienna set to install first Capital Bikeshare stations this fall

“We’re excited to put Vienna on the bike sharing map,” Town of Vienna transportation engineer Andrew Jinks said in the release. “Adding these stations to an already expansive network … means that residents and community members will have a new sustainable and convenient way to get around town.” Read more...
Angela Woolsey, July 10, 2025, FFXNow

E-bikes are becoming e-waste – here's how to reduce the environmental cost

The sector needs stronger regulations to encourage it to cut its waste. This includes encouraging bikes to be designed to be easier to repair or recycle, and establishing universal standards that allow parts to work across different brands and models, so components can be reused instead of thrown away. Read more...
Yvonne Ryan, July 8, 2025, Citti

DC's bus shelters aren't necessarily placed where people need them most

According to the DC Policy Center, the Northeast and Southeast quadrants of DC are not only the hottest, but are home to people most sensitive to high temperatures, because of age, underlying conditions, lack of health insurance, or low income. Read more...
Madeleine Bartin, July 10, 2025, Greater Greater Washington

Fairfax City to explore pedestrian-only zone as part of road and pedestrian safety studies

The pedestrian master plan study will produce recommendations for improvements based on analyses of sidewalks and street crossings to find gaps in infrastructure and identify “high stress” roads for pedestrians.  Read more...
Vernon Miles, July 9, 2025, FFXNow

Transit ridership hasn't recovered since the pandemic. What can the US learn from French transit systems?

A few cities have been able to attract prepandemic ridership levels, in many cases thanks to stronger ridership on weekends. But the overall story remains grim. Nationwide, public transit trips declined by 23 percent in 2024 compared with 2019. Read more...
Yonah Freemark, July 7, 2025, Urban Wire

VPRA awards $1 billion contract to Skanska to build Long Bridge North Project

The Long Bridge North Project is part of the larger 1.8-mile Long Bridge Project that will replace and enhance the busy rail corridor from Washington, D.C., into Arlington, Va., with a series of linked, four-track modern rail bridges and corridors replacing the aging two track system. Read more...
July 8, 2025, Mass Transit Magazine

The 'One Big Beautiful Bill' is about our transportation future, too

If any transportation-related feature of the bill gets mentioned at all, it's usually the Sep. 30 plan to axe the electric vehicle tax credit, or the $12.5 billion fix to America's Air Traffic Control system.  Read more...
Kea Wilson, July 8, 2025, Streetsblog USA

DC to launch e-bike delivery pilot

The District will fund low-cost e-bikes and provide charging and battery swap stations for delivery workers to encourage e-bikes as an alternative to driving for food deliveries. Read more...
Diana Ionescu, July 7, 2025, Planetizen

Here's how Metro's summer infrastructure project will impact Alexandria commuters

Metro shut down rail at the Van Dorn Street station in Alexandria and Franconia-Springfield station in Fairfax County until July 26. The Blue Line will end service at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport station for the duration of the project. Read more...
James Cullum, July 7, 2025, ALXNow

The bus that was

The Z line, comprising the Z2 and several other routes in East County, has existed in some form since the 1940s, and on Saturday, June 28, 2025, it made its last run. Read more...
Dan Reed, July 7, 2025, Greater Greater Washington

Alexandria to hold community meeting for Mount Vernon Trail sidewalk expansion

The project addresses a long-standing safety concern along this popular section of the regional trail system. Currently, the Mount Vernon Trail in this area measures just 4.5 feet wide, making it difficult for cyclists, joggers, and walkers to pass each other safely. Read more...
Ryan Belmore, July 6, 2025, ALXNow

Maryland to advance redevelopment of State Center complex in Baltimore City through TOD project

The state of Maryland will advance the redevelopment of the State Center complex in Baltimore City through a transit-oriented concept to include new housing, retail and green space.  Read more...
July 3, 2025, Mass Transit Magazine

Metro Blue, Green lines impacted by summer construction

From July 5-26, track work is scheduled on the southern end of the Blue Line. The following month, from Aug. 2-31, work moves to the southern end of the Green Line. Read more...
Kenzie Chase, July 6, 2025, DC News Now

Metro CEO touts video surveillance improvements ahead of busy Fourth of July

But, as he gave reporters a look inside the operations at the transit system’s Integrated Command and Communications Center in Alexandria, Virginia, he pointed to a bank of massive screens lining the walls of the facility. Read more...
Kate Ryan, July 3, 2025, WTOP

Metro to close Blue Line train stations in Fairfax for construction work

Metro reminded riders in a release that the upcoming track work is scheduled to run from Saturday, July 5, through Saturday, July 26. Read more...
Vernon Miles, July 3, 2025, FFXNow