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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.

Opinion | Metro riders are unhappy — and they have every right to be

Washington, D.C.’s transit system published a performance report last week covering the first three quarters of its current fiscal year. The report features a tsunami of metrics, data and factoids, but here’s the bottom line: Bus and rail customers are unhappy, and they have every right to be. Read more...
May 19, 2022, Washington Post

Metro wins reinstatement of some suspended rail cars

The 7000 series makes up 60 percent of Metro’s fleet and has been out of service since an investigation uncovered a safety issue last year. Read more...
Justin George, May 19, 2022, Washington Post

Weekend Road and Rail: Beltway and I-66 stops, Metro Red Line shutdown

More stops are planned for the Capital Beltway and Interstate 66, the I-295/DC-295 Corridor Project, Purple Line work and paving in Maryland. Metro work is scheduled on five lines, with a Red Line shutdown. Read more...
Mary DePompa, May 20, 2022, WTOP

Ride On could cost $1 per ride beginning in July

County Council switches from earlier position during budget deliberations that bus service would remain free. Read more...
Steve Bohnel, May 19, 2022, Bethesda Magazine

Metro plans to close Yellow Line bridge trains for up to 8 months. Here's what to expect

Metro has yet to release its plan for the closing of the Yellow Line bridge over the Potomac from fall to next spring. Read more...
Tom Roussey, May 19, 2022, ABC7

DC area commuters shift gears for National Bike to Work Day

Thousands around the country, and the DMV, will be hopping on their bikes Friday morning and ditching their car for National Bike to Work Day. Read more...
Kristen Powers, May 20, 2022, ABC7

Metro says 7000-series railcars to return this summer

Part of Metro's plan to bring the cars back to service includes training for Metro staff so they can inspect and maintain them. Read more...
Gina Cook, May 19, 2022, NBC Washington

National Park Services wants to get rid of encampents by Union Station

The National Park Service says no-camping enforcement is needed to address public health and safety issues at the site. Read more...
John Henry, May 19, 2022, WUSA9

Piscataway Tribe reacts after learning Indian Head Highway has not been renamed

The Piscataway Conoy Tribe says they feel "bamboozled and defeated" after learning Indian Head Highway will not officially be renamed Piscataway Highway. Read more...
May 19, 2022, Fox5

Study: Pollution responsible for 9 million deaths worldwide in 2019

Air, chemical and water pollution accounted for one in six deaths worldwide, with little progress on tackling the public health crisis in four years. Read more...
May 19, 2022, Mass Transit

FRA report examines Amtrak intercity service

The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) recently published a report on performance metrics during the first quarter of fiscal year 2022 for Amtrak’s intercity passenger train operations. Read more...
Melina Druga, May 19, 2022, Transporation Today

Cars still rule daily commute in DC area, but study shows some signs of growth for public transit

Elected leaders throughout the D.C. area have tried mightily to get commuters out of their cars and onto public transportation. But a new study of transportation in the D.C. region has found that when it comes to the daily commute, the car remains king. Read more...
Dick Uliano, May 19, 2022, WTOP

DC begins major infrasructure projects

D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser joined a top member of President Joe Biden's administration on Wednesday to highlight how D.C. will spend hundreds of millions of dollars in infrastructure money from the federal government. Read more...
Mark Segraves, May 18, 2022, NBC Washington

Maryland Route 210 not changing to Piscataway Highway under current legislation

Legislators who were expecting the name of Route 210 in Maryland to change from Indian Head Highway to Piscataway Highway are learning that's not going to happen. Read more...
Tracee Wilkins, May 18, 2022, NBC Washington

'Ride of Silence' | DC cyclists, pedestrians want safety improvements now

Traffic data shows D.C. was more dangerous for pedestrians and cyclists in 2021 compared to when Mayor Muriel Bowser launched the Vision Zero initiative in 2015. Read more...
John Henry, May 19, 2022, WUSA9

WMSC directs WMATA to address improper power restoration practices

The Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) has been directed to revise its practices surrounding power restoration when work crews are present after the Washington Metrorail Safety Commission (WMSC) determined “Metrorail is continuing to put its personnel at risk of serious injury or death by repeatedly bypassing safety redundancies in power restoration procedures.” Read more...
Mischa Wanek-Libman, May 18, 2022, Mass Transit

An interstate across America – for everyone besides drivers, that is – would pay for itself in no time

A continuous cross-continental active transportation trail would pay for itself in less than five years in visitor spending alone, a new analysis argues — and it could have a big impact on the car-free transportation landscape in the communities it runs through, too. Read more...
Kea Wilson, May 19, 2022, Streetsblog USA

"Safety first"? Time for WMATA to put riders first

From the outside, it’s not always obvious who does what at Metro. But a few roles are clear. Read more...
Caitlin Rogger, May 18, 2022, GGWash.org

Biden, Buttigieg announce $1B in grants for Safe Streets Program

On Monday, President Joe Biden and U.S. Department of Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg announced that applications are being accepted for $1 billion in funding for projects that address street and roadway safety. Read more...
Liz Carey, May 18, 2022, Transportation Today

Trucker convoy returns to D.C. region. Here's what you need to know.

A group of truckers calling itself the “People’s Convoy,” which protested vaccine mandates and aired other right-wing grievances by driving around the Washington region in March, returned to the Hagerstown Speedway in Maryland on Tuesday. Read more...
Ellie Silverman, May 17, 2022, Washington Post

Metro faces new safety order on first day under new leadership

A day after Metro’s top two leaders stepped down after about half of its train operators were found to lack necessary recertifications, the transit agency began navigating fresh safety challenges Tuesday under an interim general manager while continuing to field criticism over management practices. Read more...
Justin George, May 17, 2022, Washington Post

Full speed ahead: Bike to Work Day 2022

Bike to Work Day (BTWD) is rolling full speed ahead, as a regained sense of community, free T-shirts, and a chance to win a free bicycle will attract thousands of commuters to participate in the regional event on Friday, May 20. Read more...
May 16, 2022, WTOP

Md. law ensures drivers don't get slammed with penalties over tolls

One of the 140 bills signed into law in Maryland this week is designed to ensure that drivers don’t get dinged with civil penalties attached to outstanding video tolls. Read more...
Kate Ryan, May 17, 2022, WTOP

WMATA only recouping pennies on dollar from farebox during COVID era

A ridership that is increasing, albeit in fits and spurts, is helping the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority recoup more than it had been expecting from the farebox when it comes to rail service. Read more...
May 17, 2022, Inside NoVa

A crisis on the roads: Traffic fatalities hit a 16-year high in 2021, data shows

Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg said America faces a crisis on its roads. Read more...
Tom Krisher, Hope Yen, May 18, 2022, WUSA9

Metro has a 'culture that accepts noncompliance,' bypassing safety protections as recently as this month, report claims

Metrorail repeatedly powered the electric third rail while workers were still on the roadway in recent weeks, bypassing safety procedures and putting people at risk of injury and death, according to a new report issued by the Washington Metrorail Safety Commission. Read more...
Amanda Michelle Gomez, May 17, 2022, dcist

Feds report doouble-digit increase in road deahs in 2021

Call it the forgotten pandemic: road fatalities surged by double-digit percentages, including a significant increase in deaths outside of cars, in 2021, according to a new report issued Tuesday by federal authorities. Read more...
Gersh Kuntsman, May 17, 2022, Streetsblog USA

Statement from Metro GM / CEO Paul Wiedefeld

Metro General Manager / Chief Executive Officer Paul J. Wiedefeld released the following statement: Read more...
May 16. 2022, WMATA

Statement from Board Chair Paul C. Smedberg on behalf of the WMATA Board

Metro Board Chair Paul C. Smedberg released the following statement on behalf of the Board of Directors: Read more...
May 16, 2022, WMATA

Buttigieg sends $5B to cities for safety as road deaths soar

With upcoming data showing traffic deaths soaring, the Biden administration is steering $5 billion in federal aid to cities and localities to address the growing crisis by slowing down cars, carving out bike paths and wider sidewalks and nudging commuters to public transit. Read more...
May 16, 2022, WTOP

Md. gas, diesel prices set more records, keep climbing: AAA

Maryland gas and diesel prices hit record highs again as summer travel season nears. Here's how much drivers are paying, according to AAA. Read more...
'Deb Belt, May 16, 2022, Takoma Park Patch

County Council approves extension of free Ride On bus fare

Free fare to last through June 2023; members choose not to subsidize Metrobus Read more...
Steve Bohnel, May 16, 2022, Bethesda Magazine

Metro Riders, officials call for answers on operator 'safety issue'

“We expect that WMATA will provide the public with a full understanding of how this happened and how they will prevent it from happening again in the future" Read more...
May 16, 2022, NBC Washngton

Metro delays are about to get worse as dozens of operators are pulled for retraining

Metro took 72 train operators out of service on Sunday evening after a review from the agency’s chief safety officer found they had not undergone a required recertification training in a year. Read more...
Margaret Barthel, May 16, 2022, dcist

Metro General Manager Wiedefeld to rsetire early, COO resigns after safety recertification lapse

Metro General Manager Paul Wiedefeld is out at WMATA, 45 days before his scheduled retirement. So is WMATA Chief Operating Officer Joe Leader, who resigned Monday. Read more...
Jordan Pascale, May 16, 2022, dcist

Scooters, e-bikes, ride shares coming to Annapolis to help compensate for Hillman Garage closure

Annapolis will unveil a range of alternative transportation options at a showcase event Tuesday to highlight portions of the city's multifaceted transit plan meant to ease parking and traffic headaches after Noah Hillman Garage closed earlier this month. Read more...
Brooks Dubose, May 17, 2022, Mass Transit

There are just four types of drivers – and ending car dependency means reaching them all

There are only four types of drivers in U.S. communities, a new analysis argues, and transportation leaders need to adopt distinct strategies to influence their behavior on the road — and to get them out from behind the wheel altogether. Read more...
Kea Wilson, May 17, 2022, Streetsblog USA

Consumer skepticism of autonomous driving features justified, AAA report says

According to a new report by AAA, consumers’ attitudes about automated vehicles may be justified. Read more...
Liz Carey, May 16, 2022, Transportation Today

Uber adds electric vehicle options in update

Uber announced Monday that ride-hailing customers in some California cities will be able to summon rides in “premium” electric vehicles (EV) like Teslas and Polestars. Read more...
Saul Elbein, May 16, 2022, The Hill

Register free for Bike to Work Day May 20, 2022

Join us for Bike to Work Day at nearly 100 pit stops throughout DC, MD, and VA. The first 15,000 who register and attend this free event will receive a T-shirt. Read more...
May 16, 2022,, Bike to work day

Metro to reduce service after removing 72 train operators following lapsed recertification

Metro says nearly half of their 500 rail operators have lapsed recertifications and rail service will be cut back beginning Monday. Read more...
Fon Paarkera, May 15, 2022, ABC7

Truckers claim they are coming back to Hagerstown Speedway

At a rally, on Sunday in Ohio, the truckers announced they plan to once again head to Hagerstown Speedway after they make a brief stop in Pennsylvania. Read more...
John Henry, May 16, 2022, WUSA9

Person struck by train near DC Metro station, police say

A person was struck by a Metro train in D.C. Sunday afternoon, according to authorities. Read more...
May 15, 2022, Fox5

How ciies can better 'manage' car dependence... and reduce it

The same tool that communities have used for decades to make commutes easier on drivers can be refashioned to reduce reliance on automobiles, a leading planning consultancy argues — and there’s a better blueprint that cities can follow right now. Read more...
Kea Wilson, May 16, 2022, Streetsblog USA

TSA plans for summer travel rush

With airports across the country only getting busier, TSA says it’s stepping up its efforts and bringing in more TSA agents to help alleviate the long lines. Read more...
Devin Markham, Ileana Diaz

Man shot at Silver Spring Metro station

Bus and train service at the Silver Spring Transit Center was stalled so that Metro Transit Police could search for the suspect who shot a man at the Maryland station Saturday morning. Read more...
Jessica Kronzer, May 14, 2022, WTOP

Transportation panel wants WMATA to focus on Rosslyn tunnel

The Northern Virginia Transportation Commission (NVTC) is pressing leadership of the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority not to forget about congestion at the Rosslyn tunnel. Read more...
May 14, 2022, Inside NoVa

18-year-old found shot on Metrobus in NW DC dies in hospital

An 18-year-old man was shot to death just before 2 a.m. Friday on a Metrobus. Read more...
Ryan Sprouse, May 14, 2022, WUSA9

Metro's new general manager is optimistic riders will return

Metro and transit systems across the country are facing a number of challenges in the coming years. Read more...
Justin George, May 14, 2022, Washington Post

Highway pollution is surging back towards pre-pandemic levels

Tax collection data from the Massachusetts Department of Revenue suggest that gasoline consumption and its associated air pollution is rebounding towards pre-pandemic levels, undermining hopes that increased work-from-home arrangements can have a major impact on meeting the state’s climate goals. Read more...
Christian MilNeil, May 12, 2022, Streetsblog Mass