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.

Metro gets overall high marks in poll

 The survey of a random sample of more than 1,600 D.C., suburban Maryland and Northern Virginia residents shows that despite Metro’s high-profile struggles…3 in 4 riders rate Metrorail ‘excellent’ or 'good.' Read more...
Justin George/Emily Guskin, March 18, 2023, The Washington Post

Metro's new schedule starts Monday. Here's what it means for your commute.

The next timetable change is set to take effect on Monday, March 20, when Silver, Blue, Orange, and Blue+ lines will start running every 12 minutes on weekdays during the morning and evening rush. Read more...
Joseph Olmo, March 19, 2023, DC News Now

To recover from COVID, transit needs a rider-centered future. Here's how

Which path we follow depends on how we answer the fundamental question at the heart of our industry today: Why do riders choose transit — why, even before the pandemic, was ridership was trending down? Read more...
Colin Drake, March 20, 2023, USA Streetsblog

Mayor Bowser to announce new biking projects

On Monday, March 20 at 11:00 a.m., Mayor Muriel Bowser, federal and local government leaders, and community members will celebrate the completion of the 9th Street NW two-way protected bike lane. The Mayor will also make an announcement about an expansion to the Capital Bikeshare e-bike fleet. Read more...
March 19, 2023, DDOT

Cherry Blossom Watch: Tidal Basin cherry trees reach stage 5

If you make the blossoms a part of your weekend plans, organizers recommend taking public transportation to get there. Metro is offering free parking on the weekends and $2 fares one-way through the entire festival. Read more...
Solangi Sosa/Allison Hageman, March 18, 2023, NBC Washington

DC's Vision Zero safety program not working, city auditor's report finds

The goal of Vision Zero is to eliminate all traffic-related deaths in D.C. by 2024. A goal that will not be met.  Read more...
Sam Ford, March 17, 2023, ABC7

Metrorail gets a service boost systemwide amid ridership surge

Starting Monday, March 20, Metro will begin increasing train service across the rail system just in time for peak cherry blossom season. Weekday service will see an infusion of trains, as well as weekends. Read more...
March 17, 2023, WMATA

Mass transit has long catered to commuters. It's facing a reckoning.

The Covid-19 pandemic, the rise of remote work and the need to revitalize urban spaces will also mean the re-imagining of mass transit, experts say. Read more...
Andy Medici, March 17, 2023, Washington Business Journal

Amtrak announces ultra-cheap fares for late-night rides on popular routes

The company on Thursday announced a slate of $5 to $20 train fares for routes running between 7 p.m. and 5 a.m. on select Northeast lines. Read more...
Rebecca Picciotto, March 16, 2023, CNBC

FRA approves DRPT's 2022 Statewide Rail Plan

The Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation (DRPT) Statewide Rail Plan received approval from the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA). The 2022 Statewide Rail Plan provides long-term guidance for Virginia’s transportation leadership to ensure the Commonwealth’s rail needs for people, communities and commerce are addressed. Read more...
March 16, 2023, Mass Transit Magazine

Rail work to close several crossings in March, April

Repair work by the railroad company CSX will temporarily close several railroad crossings in Frederick County in the coming weeks. Read more...
Ryan Marshall, March 16, 2023, The Frederick News-Post

Is American Legion Bridge doomed to 'perpetual gridlock'?

The project, which officials expect to open in 2025, will reduce travel times, provide new commuter connections at the Dulles Toll Road and George Washington Memorial Parkway, implement new bicycle and pedestrian links, and support new bus service between Virginia and Maryland. Read more...
Metro Creative, March 16, 2023, Gazette Leader

Road projects kick off in Spotsylvania

The projects are linked to the VA clinic, and aim to address the expected traffic increase. The clinic is slated to open in 2024. Read more...
Scott Shenk, March 15, 2023, The Free Lance-Star

Here's how to build your own mini Metro arrival screen for your home or office

Today, most people do use apps like Transit, Google Maps or Metro Hero — Metro surveys find that about 60% of Metro riders check those train or bus times before leaving. Read more...
Jordan Pascale, March 16, 2023, DCist

Arlington isn't full

Arlington is a well-connected part of the DC metro area. A 2022 report notes that "Arlington has more private office space than the Central Business Districts of Los Angeles, Denver, Dallas and Seattle, and Downtown Atlanta." Read more...
Hector Arbuckle, March 15, 2023, Greater Greater Washington

Driving habits along Seminary Road in Virginia cause concern

The speed limit along Seminary Road between I-395 and the Alexandria city limits was lowered from 35 mph to 25 mph in 2021. Read more...
Katie Lusso, March 16, 2023, WUSA9

Metro gears up for cherry blossom crowds

Metro recently recorded its busiest day since the start of the pandemic. News4’s Adam Tuss reports the rise in ridership comes as Metro prepares for cherry blossom peak bloom. Read more...
Adam Tuss, March 15, 2023, NBC Washington

DC implementing new street safety measures

Lott said narrower roadways and more concrete protected bike lanes are coming, as are more concrete islands so pedestrians have a place to stand if they get caught in the middle of the road. Read more...
Adam Tuss, March 14, 2023, NBC Washington

Capacity at Amtrak's Washington Union Station concourse to double by 2026

The expansion is part of the Concourse Modernization Project, which will be the first set of improvements as part of Washington Union Station’s 2nd Century plan. Read more...
March 14, 2023, MassTransit Magazine

Innovation Center Metro station area prioritized for review of possible land use changes

Fairfax County planners agree that proposed development changes to the Innovation Center area are a top planning priority in the county’s ongoing Site-Specific Plan Amendment (SSPA) process. Read more...
Fatimah Waseem, March 14, 2023, FFX Now

West Falls Church, Franconia Metro facility changes advance despite 'big number' opposing latter

Staff said the Virginia Department of Transportation’s Frontier Road Extension project should provide clearer signage explaining where the lots are and that they’re free to use. Read more...
Angela Woolsey, March 14, 2023, FFX Now

Schumer asks for expanded investigation into Norfolk Southern, other railroads

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) is urging the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) to expand its investigation into Norfolk Southern to include other major railroads to determine ways to improve rail safety in the aftermath of the derailment in East Palestine, Ohio, last month.  Read more...
Jared Gans, March 15, 2023, The Hill

Dynamic curbs could make cities more livable but would require getting more people out of cars, experts say

With cars dominating the streetscape, other modes of transportation fight for scraps, including electric scooter companies like Bird and Lime, one investor said. Read more...
Maylin Tu, March 13, 2023, Smart Cities Dive

Transportation Department includes $4.45B for rail, bus rapid transit projects in budget request

The projects, which require a local funding match, seek funding through the Federal Transit Administration’s Capital Investment Grants and Expedited Project Delivery Pilot programs. Read more...
Melina Druga, March 13, 2023, Transportation Today

Glebe Road intersection near the Pike could get 'desperately needed' safety upgrades

Arlington County is embarking on a project to develop plans to upgrade the intersection of S. Glebe Road and 9th Street S., located between the Alcova Heights and Arlington Heights neighborhoods. Read more...
Jo DeVoe, March 13, 2023, ARLNow

Safety concerns lead to more funding sought for Shirlington bus station

Arlington County Manager Mark Schwartz has proposed spending an additional $115,000 in the coming fiscal year to address safety issues at the Shirlington bus-transfer station. Read more...
March 13, 2023, Gazette Leader

Virginia sees record train ridership as passenger rail expands

Virginia is seeing a record number of residents riding the rails amid increased investment in Amtrak and other passenger services. Read more...
Jakob Cordes, March 13, 2023, DC News Now

OmniRide strike ends, several routes resume service in Prince William Co.

After several weeks of delayed morning commutes, bus operators represented by Teamsters Local, voted Sunday evening to accept a contract with OmniRide system manager, Keolis. Read more...
Derrick Ward, March 13, 2023, NBC Washington

ART bus riders to pick up 12% of operational costs in coming year

As part of developing the government’s fiscal 2024 budget, officials are projecting cost recovery of 12 percent for the fiscal year that begins in July. Read more...
Scott McCaffrey, March 10, 2023, Gazette Leader

New Silver Line stations a tiny part of Metro trips. Leaders cite growth prospects.

More than a decade later and four years overdue, the extension arrived to much fanfare in November. Confetti blanketed the entrance of the Ashburn station as cheery Metro workers handed out commemorative pennants.  Read more...
Justin George, March 11, 2023, MSN/The Washington Post

George Washington Memorial Parkway southbound lanes will be closed in April

The project, which costs about $161 million, is one of the largest Great American Outdoors Act investments in the country. Read more...
Sarah Y. Kim, March 10, 2023, DCist

Prince William Co. bus workers union, transportation company reach tentative agreement

The collective bargaining agreement covers 150 drivers and provides commuter transit and paratransit services in Manassas and Woodbridge. Read more...
Cayla Cade, March 10, 2023, ABC7 News

Clarify confusing signs for new I-66 toll lanes, Fairfax County tells VDOT

The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors directed staff on Tuesday (March 7) to prepare a letter asking the Virginia Department of Transportation to clarify the information on its signs about toll prices and exit locations. Read more...
Angela Woolsey, March 10, 2023, FFX Now

Construction on new W&OD Trail bridge over Wiehle Avenue begins

The $6.7 million project replaces an at-grade crossing and widens Wiehle Avenue from Sunset Hills to the Reston Fire Station and Pupatella Pizza entrances, according to the county. It will also accommodate future 5-foot-wide bicycle lanes. Read more...
Fatimah Waseem, March 10, 2023, FFX Now

Metro's first electric bus delivery delayed due to battery fire recall; DASH buses also affected

Metro is still waiting for its first electric buses — originally scheduled to arrive in February — because a bus fire in Connecticut has triggered a recall and is delaying the delivery. Four Alexandria DASH buses have also been pulled from their routes. Read more...
Jordan Pascale, March 10, 2023, DCist

Metro decorates trains, buses, SmarTrip cards, expands service for cherry blossoms

While the cherry blossoms just reached halfway to peak bloom, a new look for trains, buses and SmarTrip cards to help D.C. get into the mood for cherry blossom season has already arrived. Read more...
Valerie Bonk, March 10, 2023, WTOP

Tyson's planned urban trail

Last month the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors endorsed the circuit design guidance for the Tysons Community Circuit. Read more...
March 10, 2023, Fairfax Alliance for Better Bicycling

Follow the blossoms and make Metro your ride during cherry blossom season

Look for Metro’s cherry blossom train and buses debuting today. On Metrorail, our fully wrapped six-car cherry blossom train will be on the tracks, running on different lines throughout cherry blossom season.  Read more...
March 10, 2023, WMATA

Lead partner in plan to build toll lanes on Beltway, I-270 in Maryland leaves project

The lead team involved with Maryland’s plan to build high-occupancy toll lanes on the Capital Beltway and Interstate 270, along with building a new American Legion Bridge, has pulled out of the project. Read more...
Adam Tuss, March 9, 2023, NBC Washington

West Glebe Road bridge partially reopens to vehicle traffic

The bridge had severely deteriorated, requiring partial closures over the years until the bridge was fully closed last summer. Read more...
Vernon Miles, March 9, 2023, ARLnow

Keolis declares impasse with Loudoun County Transit workers union

While local and handicap-accessible routes are running, most of the commuter bus service has been absent in Loudoun County since January. Read more...
Daniel Hamburg, March 8, 2023, DC News Now

Construction now underway to widen Route 29 outside Centreville

Fairfax County and the Virginia Department of Transportation have kicked off construction to widen a 1.5-mile stretch of Route 29 near Centreville. Read more...
Melanie Pincus, March 8, 2023, FFX Now

Predicting future transit ridership is trickier than ever

Amid changing travel behavior, many transit agencies are projecting bus and rail passenger growth based on a range of best-case and worst-case scenarios. Read more...
Jared Brey, March 7, 2023, Governing

GW Parkway construction near entering next phase, which will shut down southbound lanes

The goal is to do long-overdue work on the roadway’s infrastructure along the northern section of the parkway, from Interstate 495 to Spout Run Parkway. Read more...
Mike Murillo, March 9, 2023, WTOP

DC council member wants to allow rush-hour parking on Connecticut Avenue for safety

DDOT already lowered the speed limit and removed the reversible lanes on Connecticut to try and calm down traffic.  Read more...
Adrienne DiPiazza, March 8. 2023, Fox5

Railway transport safety is failing. These lawmakers have a plan to help

With two headline-grabbing train derailments in the span of about a month, two legislators are taking action to address concerns railway workers have been voicing for years. Read more...
Manuela Lopez Restrepo, March 7, 2023, NPR

OmniRide resuming some commuter service as strike enters fourth week

OmniRide will offer its first commuter service into the D.C. area since bus operators went on strike three weeks ago, but enough drivers remain out of work that both commuter and local service remain severely limited. Read more...
Jared Foretek, March 7, 2023, Inside NoVa

The fight for funding to prevent traffic fatalities in Virginia

In 2022, the number of road fatalities in the commonwealth broke 1,000 for the first time in 15 years, with people walking and biking comprising a disproportionate share of deaths.  Read more...
Wyatt Gordon, March 7, 2023, Greater Greater Washington

Loudoun Co. transit workers' strike nears 8th week, no indication county will fine Keolis

Riders of Loudoun County busses are growing frustrated with the lack of service, as workers near an eighth week on strike. But some believe the county could do something to speed up the process. Read more...
Max Marcilla, March 6, 2023, DC News Now

Metro now welcomes open strollers on Metrobus

Metro’s youngest customers and those traveling with them now have one less barrier to a stress-free ride on Metrobus. Metro today announced that effective immediately, open strollers are welcome on Metrobus, replacing a policy that required strollers to be folded before boarding.  Read more...
March 6, 2023, WMATA