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.

Virginia begins construction on passenger rail extension

“Passenger rail creates greater potential for sustained economic growth, facilitates job creation and provides an efficient, affordable travel alternative to riding on the crowded interstate highway system,” said Rep. Morgan Griffith, a Republican, in a statement. Read more...
Dan Zukowski, April 28, 2025, Smart Cities Dive

More funding accepted to support Richmond Highway bus rapid transit

A study conducted by state transportation planners from 2013 to 2015 determined that BRT was the best option for the corridor. The Fairfax County board endorsed the concept in 2015. Read more...
Scott McCaffrey, April 28, 2025, FFXNow

USDOT guidance puts future road diet projects at risk

Some advocates fear that means the US DOT is essentially dropping all road diets from its signature safety program — and forfeiting one of its most important tools to slow down drivers and save lives in and out of automobiles. Read more...
Kea Wilson, April 28, 2025, Greater Greater Washington

Upgrades to ART bus safety and Arlington Blvd interchange included in funding proposal

Funding for better safety on Arlington buses, a new “microtransit” project and upgrades to a crash-prone intersection is included in a new state funding proposal. Read more...
Dan Egitto, April 28, 2025, ARLNow

WMATA officials reconsider second entrance for Foggy Bottom station

As the cherry blossoms were in an early stage of bloom on March 27, the station saw 20,527 riders — the highest weekday ridership since January 2020. Metro said the bus and rail system counted more than 1 million riders on March 28 for the first time since 2020.  Read more...
Bryson Kloesel, April 28, 2025, The GW Hatchet

Building a connected Fairfax and capital region

These projects bring us closer to realizing the full vision of a connected, safe, and accessible trail network. But we’re not done yet. Roughly 35 miles of planned trails in Fairfax County are still waiting for funding and implementation. Read more...
April 27, 2025, Fairfax Alliance for Better Bicycling

Why bike lanes are good: An explainer for the US Transportation Secretary

Data also shows that a sufficiently robust and safe bike lane network does encourage more people to ditch cars and use bikes instead. According to the article, “study after study shows that bike lanes do not make car congestion worse— and in some cases, especially in urban areas that place them strategically, they can actually make it better.” Read more...
Diana Ionescu, April 27, 2025, Planetizen

New parking garage at New Carrollton opens Sunday, bus loop and Kiss & Ride to relocate to garages

During the transition, customers may experience delays, congestion, and changes to travel patterns upon exiting. For your safety, please review and follow all posted signage and construction notices. Read more...
April 25, 2025, WMATA

Metro considers adding platform doors to stations to separate riders from tracks

Watch for the double (?) doors! Metro is considering adding platform doors to stations so riders can be separated from the Metrorail tracks.  Read more...
Joseph Olmo, April 24, 2025, NBC4 Washington

Metro says adding more bus lanes will improve safety and congestion on roads

Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) CEO Randy Clarke said adding more dedicated bus lanes would improve bus speeds, increase ridership and make the roads safer for everyone. Read more...
Leslie Moreno, April 24, 2025, WUSA9

Smarter transit, better service: How data is shaping daily operations

When transit agencies develop data-informed cultures of innovation using new technology, they can uncover patterns in ridership, economic activity and land use/development, helping to anticipate demand and optimize service delivery. Read more...
Joanna M. Pinkerton, April 25, 2025, Mass Transit Magazine

Water taxi service from Alexandria to Nationals Park resumes this week

The timing of this relaunch aligns with City Cruises’ new partnership with the Washington Nationals for the 2025 Major League Baseball (MLB) season. The Navy Yard Loop adds to City Cruises’ daily routes between The Wharf, Georgetown, Old Town Alexandria, and National Harbor. Read more...
April 25, 2025, ALXNow

Maryland commuter bus workers strike against contractor, suspending operations

About 120 transit workers went on strike against contractor Martz Gold Line Thursday morning, demanding higher wages after contract negotiations fell apart. Read more...
Darcy Spencer, April 24, 2025, NBC4 Washington

Metro's future: No rail expansion, more bus lanes

At a board meeting, Metro officials laid out the overall direction the transit agency should take in the coming years in a presentation titled, “World Class Transit.” They said rail construction has become too expensive in the U.S., and the transit system should use its capital funds on more cost-effective ways to improve service. Read more...
Jacob Kerr, April 24, 2025, WTOP

Agency envisions bus rapid transit along Columbia Pike and across the Potomac

A proposed map of possible BRT lines envisions two routes connecting Columbia Pike to Crystal City and D.C., and another route running east from Falls Church into Rosslyn, across the Potomac River and into Georgetown. Read more...
Dan Egitto/Scott McCaffrey, April 24, 2025, ARLNow

VRE ridership surges as Alexandria station upgrades planned

Virginia Railway Express (VRE) saw a jump of nearly 100,000 passengers in March 2025 compared to the same month last year, Vice Mayor Sarah Bagley reported at Alexandria City Council’s recent legislative meeting. Read more...
Ryan Belmore, April 23, 2025, ALXNow

Northern Virginia Transportation Authority unveils draft plan for Bus Rapid Transit system; it includes several Alexandria routes

The draft plan builds on existing BRT investments to create a comprehensive regional system providing fast, frequent, and reliable transit service. The goal is to improve all-day transit service, reduce congestion, and better connect key destinations throughout Northern Virginia and into Washington, D.C., and Maryland. Read more...
Ryan Belmore, April 23, 2025, ALXNow

This weekend: Buses replace trains between Medical Center and Grosvenor on Red Line; Silver Line runs to New Carrollton

On Saturday, April 26 and Sunday, April 27, free shuttle buses will replace trains between Medical Center and Grosvenor on the Red Line due to track work. Read more...
April 23, 2025, WMATA

Metro's $5.65B automation plan targets efficiency, safety amid fiscal challenges

Getting to that point on the entire Metrorail system would cost billions of dollars, but Metro says it would also make the system cheaper to run in the long run because increased efficiency would save money. Read more...
Miles Wilson, April 23, 2025, Greater Greater Washington

I adopted a Metro station. You can too

Tidying up the area around Metro stations is a way to not only keep litter out of the local environment and watershed, but also to improve the actual quality of daily commute for Metro riders.  Read more...
Andrew Hare, April 23, 2025, Greater Greater Washington

Even more automation could be coming to Metro, but with a hefty price tag

In a presentation to the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority board titled “World Class Transit,” Metro suggests increasing the automation of trains to the point where operators would be taken out of the control cabin and instead turned into train attendants. Read more...
Luke Lukert, April 23, 2025, WTOP

OmniRide service change takes effect April 21

New trips will be added to the Lake Ridge – Washington (981) and Front Royal/Gainesville – Washington (611) Express routes, resulting in revised timetables. Additionally, there will be minor changes to the map for the Prince William Metro Express (95) route.  Read more...
April 21, 2025, Prince William Living

Peak bloom broke CaBi records in March

Annual members accounted for the majority of CaBi trips in March (69.9%), a slight decrease from the 78.3% share sustained through January and February. Casual riders (those without an annual membership) reversed this trend on March 29—to reiterate, the busiest day in system history—by making up 50.6% of all rides. Read more...
Samuel Littauer, April 21, 2025, Greater Greater Washington

Proposed development plan for Deanwood Metro station unveiled

“These developments are not only amazing because they create affordable housing and just overall housing and mixed-use development, but this one will have a library, which we are very excited [about],” WMATA CEO Randy Clarke said at the announcement Monday.  Read more...
Dan Ronan, April 22, 2025, WTOP

Blue and 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, April 20, 2025, DC News Now

State releases six-year, $7 billion funding plan for capital improvement projects

The City of Alexandria, for example, will get money to help cover the $200,000  operational cost for their GO Alex program, which is the city’s outreach program to get residents to ride transit, carpool and commute by bicycle.  Read more...
Ian Stewart, April 21, 2025, ALXNow

DASH unveils new look with updated logos and mascot

The redesigned logos aim to make DASH more approachable while showcasing the “DASH Difference” – the company’s ongoing commitment to improvement. Read more...
April 18, 2025, ALXNow

Metro reminds customers of Blue and Green line construction this summer

From July 5-26, track work will be done on the southern end of the Blue Line. From Aug. 2-31, work moves to the southern end of the Green Line. Read more...
April 17, 2025, WMATA