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.

Today, 6/2, the Mobile Commuter Store at Navy Yard is located at 2nd Place SE between K Street and L Street

Today, 6/2, the Mobile Commuter Store at Navy Yard is located at 2nd Place SE between K Street and L Street. Read more...

OmniRide to host Senior Summit June 15

OmniRide will hold a Senior Summit on June 15 from 10 am-2:30 pm at the Ferlazzo building [15941 Donald Curtis Drive in Woodbridge]. Community partners will showcase their services and provide resources for older adults, their families, and caregivers. Read more...
Uriah Kiser, June 1st, 2023, Potomac Local News

MDOT MVA officially launched Maryland Mobile ID with Google Wallet

Governor Wes Moore announced that the Maryland Department of Transportation Motor Vehicle Administration (MDOT MVA) has launched the Maryland Mobile ID in Google Wallet. Read more...
Emilie Kyler, June 1st, 2023, ABC7 News

American Legion Bridge would be even more congested without transit, study says

That’s the scenario posed by the Northern Virginia Transportation Commission (NVTC) in a new study on the value of the region’s transit network, including Metro, local bus services like Fairfax Connector and the Virginia Railway Express (VRE). Read more...
Angela Woolsey, June 1st, 2023, FFX Now

Metro is showing its pride, ready for the huge crowds attending Pride Weekend events

Getting to events around Downtown DC couldn’t be easier with trains arriving every 4-5 minutes at stations in the downtown core area between Rosslyn and Stadium-Armory on the Blue, Orange, and Silver lines; and between L’Enfant Plaza and Mt Vernon Square on the Green and Yellow lines. Read more...
June 1st, 2023, WMATA

Metro shutting down four Orange Line stations starting Saturday

The transit agency said it will replace 40-year-old steel rails between the Ballston-Marymount University and Vienna stations. The work will shut down the Vienna, Dunn Loring, West Falls Church and East Falls Church stations from June 3 to June 25. Read more...
Thomas Robertson, June 2, 2023, WTOP

Federal Transit Administration asks for comment on proposed updates to National Public Transportation Safety Plan

Reauthorized under President Biden's Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, the plan creates a blueprint for transit agencies to adopt stronger safety measures. Read more...
May 31, 2023, U.S Department of Transportation

County proposes initial Route 7 BRT stations in Tysons, from Spring Hill to West Falls Church

The service will initially launch in Tysons, operating between the Spring Hill and West Falls Church Metro stations, before later expanding into Falls Church and Alexandria, Fairfax County Department of Transportation staff told planning commission members at a May 11 committee meeting. Read more...
Angela Woolsey, March 31, 2023, FFX Now

Trail linking Vienna Metro-Cross County Trail closed for construction

The trail that connects the Vienna Metro station south to the Cross County Trail and the City of Fairfax Connector trail through East Blake Lane Park is closed due to repairs to a detention pond dam, the Circle Woods Pond project. Read more...
May 31, 2023, Fairfax Alliance for Better Bicycling

Is it time for America to break up with the private car?

The number one source of carbon pollution in the United States is transportation. The vast majority of that comes from personal cars and trucks. Read more...
Kea Wilson, May 31, 2023, Streetsblog USA

Md. transportation secretary doesn't have 'a lot of faith' in expected 2026 completion of Purple Line

With a new contractor in place, Maryland Transportation Secretary Paul Wiedefeld said his agency is putting the pressure on new builders, Maryland Transit Solutions, to complete the line. However, he said he doesn’t “have a lot of faith” that an October 2026 completion is possible. Read more...
Mike Murillo, June 1st, 2023, WTOP

Coming soon: Metro's next-generation of railcars by: Joseph Olmo

Transit officials call Metrorail’s next-generation rolling stock the “fleet of the future”. Barring any unforeseen challenges, the agency hopes that doors to the 8,000-series railcars will open to passengers in 2026. Read more...
Joseph Olmo, May 30, 2023, DC News Now

Shared micromobility boosts job access when linked with public transit: report

The study found that, compared with cars, micromobility provided similar access to jobs for trips under 15 minutes and, in large metro areas with good public transit, 30-minute trips.  Read more...
Michael Brady, May 30, 2023, Smart Cities Dive

How agencies are improving rail accessibility

More than 30 years later, the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law established a new All Stations Accessibility Program (ASAP) to provide federal competitive grants to assist eligible entities in financing capital projects to upgrade the accessibility of rail fixed guideway public transportation systems for people with disabilities. Read more...
Louis Prejean, May 30, 2023, Metro Magazine

Virginia train travel increases

Amtrak set a ridership record on the corridors for April with 107,929 passengers, the most for that month since state-supported service started in 2009 and up 53.2% compared to April last year, according to the Virginia Passenger Rail Authority. Read more...
Scott Shenk, May 31, 2023, Mass Transit Magazine

Upcoming OmniRide service changes, Dumfries micro transit start

OmniRide announced today that there will be changes in bus routes in Dale City, Montclair, Lake Ridge, Manassas, Stafford, and Haymarket starting June 5, 2023.

 

  Read more...
Uriah Kiser, May 31, 2023, Potomac Local News

Metro summer construction continues June 3, with four Orange Line station closures in Virginia

Beginning Saturday, June 3, Metro will begin rail replacement work on the Orange Line in Virginia. During construction, Metro will replace the original 40-year-old steel rail between Ballston-MU and Vienna stations. Read more...
May 30, 2023, WMATA

Purple Line looking for new leadership

The Purple Line, a $9.3 billion and counting rail line linking New Carrollton with Bethesda, has lost both its Executive Director and its Communications Director. Read more...
Tamara Saltman, May 30, 2023, Greater Greater Washington

How AI can advance, harm transportation equity

As artificial intelligence technology gains prominence, new ways to deploy it could help or hamper progress toward equity in city transportation.  Read more...
Kalena Thomhave, May 29, 2023, Smart Cities Dive

Bike and hike on National Trails Day, Saturday June 3

FABB encourages local riders to celebrate National Trails Day, which is held each year on the first Saturday in June.  Read more...
May 29, 2023, Fairfax Alliance for Better Bicycling

Long-range plan contemplates nearly $4 billion for Baltimore region transit corridors

The proposed expansion is part of a 25-year regional transportation plan released by the Baltimore Metropolitan Council. The plan also includes a multibillion transit corridor connecting Towson to Baltimore City. Read more...
Bryan P. Sears, May 29, 2023, Maryland Matters

FHWA awards more than $52 million to improve travel experiences

The program promotes advanced technologies to improve safety and reduce travel times for drivers and transit riders that can serve as national examples of innovation to improve access to transportation for all communities. Read more...
Mischa Wanek-Libman, May 26, 2023, Mass Transit Magazine

Testing 'difficulties' delay launch of faster Acela trains, Amtrak says

Amtrak’s plan to roll out higher-speed trains in the Northeast Corridor this year has been derailed amid complications in completing testing of the new train sets along the route’s decrepit infrastructure. Read more...
Luz Lazo, May 27, 2023, The Washington Post

MARC considers expansions to Delaware, Virginia

Creating a seamless continuation of MARC Train service both north and south of Maryland is a critical component to transforming MARC Train from a local, commuter rail to a regional rail provider.  Read more...
May 26, 2023, Trains.com

Rail Problem: House GOP wants to undermine trains exactly when we need them most

The future of interstate rail travel is in jeopardy if the White House caves to House Republican spending cuts as part of the ongoing debt ceiling negotiations, advocates say. Read more...
Aaron Short, May 26, 2023, Streetsblog USA

Metro service information for Memorial Day, Monday, May 29

On Memorial Day, Monday, May 29, Metrorail will open at 7 a.m. and close at midnight, providing normal Sunday service on all lines. Metrobus will operate on a Sunday schedule.  Read more...
May 25, 2023, WMATA

WMATA's new visionary bus network design could add Tysons-to-Bethesda route, among others

Metro is drafting a re-design of the D.C. Metrobus system with the potential for 24-hour routes, including a connection between Tysons and Bethesda. Read more...
Elina Shirazi, May 24, 2023, WJLA

Electeds, DC advocates ride together for policy change

A recent ride through the nation’s capital brought advocates and politicos together to experience life behind a set of handlebars — and rally support for new policies that could make that experience less deadly. Read more...
George Kevin Jordan, May 25, 2023, Streetsblog USA

Opinion: Could you go a week without driving? (Yes — and here's why you should)

The Week Without Driving challenge is simple: Participants can get around however they want, but can’t drive themselves. This applies to all activities — not just work commutes. Read more...
Anna Zivarts, May 25, 2023, Streetsblog USA

Montgomery County's University Blvd to get a temporary bus/bike lane, awaiting BRT

The Montgomery County Department of Transportation (MCDOT) plans to install temporary combined bus and bicycle lanes on University Boulevard to speed riders and cyclists along and enable data collection for a future redesign. Read more...
Ethan Goffman, May 24, 2023, Greater Greater Washington

Major Blue Line projects aim to transform Prince George's County. Residents hope it's for the better

The loss of much of the retail at the Boulevard — as well as other shopping centers like Landover Mall, which peaked in the 80s and 90s and closed in 2002 — left a void in the communities along the Blue Line, say Edwards and other residents.  Read more...
Aja Drain, May 24, 2023, DCist

Record 42 million Americans expected to travel Memorial Day Weekend: AAA

Nationally, AAA is projecting this will be the third busiest Memorial Day holiday on record since they started tracking this data in 2000. Read more...
Joy Wang, May 24, 2023, WJLA

Opinion: Feds must give transit the support (and flexibility) it needs right now

TTD calls on Congress to provide all public transit agencies with the ability to use federal funding for operations costs to ensure the long-term well-being of our public transportation systems. Read more...
Greg Regan, May 24, 2023, USA Streetsblog

When is a bus stop not a bus stop? When a new stop is nearby.

WMATA spokesman Ian Jannetta said there had been a sign directing riders to the new bus stop, but it had been removed.  Read more...
John Kelly, May 23, 2023, The Washington Post

Transit Services of Frederick County launch 'Adopt-a-Stop' program

The program enlists volunteers to aid the county in maintaining transit stops. Read more...
Mikayla Newton, May 22, 2023, DC News Now

Fairfax Connector proposes new bus service in I-66 corridor using future parking garages

The Fairfax County Department of Transportation has proposed adding or revising almost 30 routes in Tysons, Vienna, Springfield, Chantilly and Centreville, as it seeks to incorporate the upcoming Springfield and Monument Drive garges into its bus system. Read more...
Angela Woolsey, May 22, 2023, FFXNow

VRE to offer free Friday rides this summer

The VRE’s Operations Board voted to approve the measure on Friday. With ridership still drastically below pre-pandemic levels, VRE is looking for ways to entice more people to ride the commuter trains. Read more...
Scott Shenk, May 22, 2023, The Free Lance-Star

What will Metro rail cars look like in the future?

The new color scheme is still mostly blue inside, stainless steel outside, with more squared-off corners. The new 8000 Series trains have a new seating configuration. Read more...
Kyle Cooper, May 22, 2023, WTOP

'We heard you': Richmond Highway speed limit permanently reduced to 35 mph in Alexandria

Police will be keeping a close eye on drivers on Richmond Highway between Jeff Todd Way/Mount Vernon Memorial Highway in Fort Belvoir and the southern Alexandria city limits at the capital beltway, it’s about a 7-mile stretch. Read more...
John Gonzalez, May 22, 2023, ABC7 News

Orange Line service returns to normal tomorrow following completion of 10-day construction project

Metro will resume normal service on the Orange Line tomorrow, May 22, following a 10-day construction project during which crews worked around the clock at the Minnesota Ave. and Deanwood stations to make roofing repairs.  Read more...
May 21, 2023, WMATA

Montgomery County partners for renewable energy-powered transit depot

The project is one of three transit bus depots in Ride-On Montgomery’s network and the fifth largest County owned energy consumer. By 2035, the site is projected to accommodate over 200 mixed-fleet vehicles. Read more...
Staff and News Reports, May 18, 2023, Metro Magazine

What causes those 'unexplainable' traffic jams?

Nationally, the study found U.S. drivers “lost” an average of 51 hours sitting in traffic in 2022. Read more...
Addy Bink, May 20, 2023, DC News Now

New Tysons-Bethesda route among possible changes to Metrobus system

Local transportation officials are dreaming of a better future for Metrobus, including a 24-hour route connecting Tysons and Bethesda. Read more...
Melanie Pincus, May 19, 2023, FFX Now

How will the new Potomac Yard Metro stop impact Alexandria's economy?

Development has already begun to pop up in the immediate area around the stop. There are several massive building projects being constructed just blocks away from both of the station’s entrances. Read more...
John Henry, May 19, 2023, WUSA9

Access to Telegraph Road ramp would change under Alexandria pilot program

In Virginia, the City of Alexandria has plans to improve traffic flow along busy Duke Street, near the ramp onto Telegraph Road, but some in the surrounding neighborhood are concerned solving one problem will cause other problems. Read more...
Neal Augenstein, July 27, 2022, WTOP