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.

Bike shortage continues as stores struggle to order parts from overseas

As families spend more time outdoors following the long pandemic winter, demand for bikes continues to be at an all-time high. Read more...
Nicole DiAntonio, May 18, 2021, WUSA9

Actual left turns coming to New York, Florida Ave NE

One of D.C.’s busiest and most infamous intersections will soon be untangled, with the goal of providing relief and safety for drivers, pedestrians and cyclists who navigate where New York and Florida avenues meet. Read more...
Neal Augenstein, May 18, 2021, WTOP

United brings back more Dulles flights, nearing pre-pandemic levels

Citing strong summer travel demand, United Airlines is adding hundreds of flights back to its July schedule, and is adding or resuming dozens of flights at its two biggest hubs in Chicago and Dulles. Read more...
Jeff Clabaugh, May 18, 2021, WTOP

Arlington aquires land in Potomac Yard for planned upgrades to park

“The first phase includes a trail connection that links Richmond Highway to the Four Mile Run trail and is estimated to begin construction in late 2021,” a county staff report said. Read more...
Jo DeVoe, May 17, 2021, ARLnow

Cyclists hit the trails for first Tour de Hunter Mill bike ride

Sunny weather greeted the 180 cyclists who signed up to take part in Saturday's inaugural Tour de Hunter Mill bike ride. Read more...
Michael O'Connell, May 13, 2021, Vienna Patch

Metro reports only two station closures week of May 17

Metro trains will be serving 89 of 91 stations across the transit system the week of May 17, with trains running from 5 a.m. to 11 p.m, the transit system said Monday. Read more...
Mark Hand, May 17, 2021, Arlington Patch

Court says Purple Line construction doesn't violate water protections

A federal appeals court ruled Thursday that construction of Maryland’s light-rail Purple Line does not violate Clean Water Act protections for streams and wetlands. Read more...
May 17, 2021, Bethesda Magazine

King Street-Old Town Metro Access Improvement Project nears completion

The final touches are being made on the King Street-Old Town Metro Access Improvement Project. Read more...
James Cullum, May 17, 2021, ALXnow

Capital Bikeshare rolls into the West End and Seminary Road

Capital Bikeshare is expanding into Alexandria’s West End, with three new stations scheduled to be installed in June. Read more...
Vernon Miles, May 17, 2021, ALXnow

I-Team discovers Metro employees parking for free with invalid disabled parking placards

Some Metro employees in Montgomery County have figured out a way to get free parking, and they’re using invalid disabled parking placards to do it. Read more...
Scott Taylor, May 17, 2021, ABC7

Have you been holding back on Metro? WMATA wants you to see this graphic.

Covid-cautious transit riders may breathe a sigh of relief this week, as WMATA shares this image to show how its ventilation system works to keep airflow moving on Metro rail cars. Read more...
Caitlin Rogger, May 17, 2021, GGWash

MARC Penn Line schedule change May 24

As a result of Amtrak beginning their 2021 trackwork season, MARC Train Penn Line service will implement new schedules effective Monday, May 24. Read more...
May 17, 2021, MDOT MTA

Return to the office: Here's how it worked for one Maryland county government

The approximately 1,000-person government workforce in this red-leaning county north of Baltimore transitioned back to their pre-pandemic work spaces in March. Read more...
Ovetta Wiggins, May 16, 2021, Washington Post

Metting with GW Parkway Superintendent Charles Cuvelier

Plan now to join us for his presentation on the Mount Vernon Trail (MVT) Corridor Study, the first comprehensive analysis of the design, condition, usage, and crash history of the MVT. Read more...
May 16, 2021, FABB

Don't miss Bicycle Film Festival-DC!

Celebrate Bike Month and support a great cause by streaming short films offered by the Bicycle Film Festival-DC between now and May 31. Read more...
May 15, 2021, FABB

Frontier Drive/Franconisa-Springfield Pkwy. project meeting

The project aims to relieve congestion and improve access to the Franconia-Springfield Metro station. Read more...
May 15, 2021, FABB

Masks are still required in planes, trains and buses despite loosened CDC guidelines

Fully vaccinated people traveling in buses, trains and airplanes must continue to wear a mask, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said Thursday, even as it said they could go without one in most other indoor settings. Read more...
Ian Duncan, May 13, 2021, Washington Post

County Board adopts Vision Zero Action Plan

On Saturday, May 15, the Arlington County Board voted 5-0 to adopt a five-year Vision Zero Action Plan. Read more...
May 15, 2021, Arlington County

Here are things that might change about your commute this fall

While more companies outline plans to bring employees back, many workers are still likely to do their jobs from home. Read more...
Lori Aratani, May 14, 2021, Washington Post

Face masks still required on DASH buses

Even with yesterday’s news that the CDC has lifted the social distancing and indoor/outdoor mask requirements for fully vaccinated people, there are some exceptions. One is public transport: planes, trains, buses, and rail. Read more...
May 14, 2021, Zebra

Herndon awards contract for new signal, sidewalks at Elden-Center Street intersection

The Herndon Town Council unanimously voted in favor of awarding a contract to Fort Myer Construction Corporation for improvements at the Elden and Center streets intersection during its public session on May 11. Read more...
Scott Fields, May 14, 2021, Reston Now

OmniRide unveils new commuter buses

OmniRide held a ribbon cutting for new commuter buses this week, four of which were purchased with through a local toll revenue program. Read more...
May 15, 2021, Inside NoVa

Nearly 90% of gas stations in D.C. are without fuel

This week, panic buying at gas stations across the East Coast following a ransomware attack on the Colonial Pipeline has led to empty gas stations and created long lines at stations with fuel. Read more...
Elliot C. Williams, May 14, 2021, dcist

This new scooter will angrily beep at you if you ride on a D.C. sidewalk

A new prototype device on Spin scooters aims to loudly address one of the biggest complaints about the two-wheeled electric devices: people often ride on busy sidewalks or park them poorly. Read more...
Jordan Pascale, May 14, 2021, dcist

MetroAccess contract dispatchers end strike over wages

More than 100 MetroAccess reservation-takers and dispatchers went on strike Friday in a dispute with a Texas-based transportation provider over pay and working conditions. Read more...
Michael Laris, May 14, 2021, Washington Post

Montgomery County strikes deal to electrify Ride On buses

AlphaStruxure, an energy-as-a-service company, will help Montgomery Co. transition at least 44 Ride On buses from diesel to electric power. Read more...
Alessia Grunberger, May 14, 2021, Takoma Park Patch

Metro's Red Line single-tracking in Maryland after person struck by train

Trains on Metro’s Red Line were sharing a track between the Twinbrook and Grosvenor stations in Maryland after a person was struck by a train at the White Flint station, officials said Friday. Read more...
Justin Wm. Moyer, May 14, 2021, Washington Post

Joint Economic Committee releases report on infrastructure investments

America invests less in infrastructure than its peers, a new report for the U.S. Congress’ Joint Economic Committee (JEC) released Wednesday said. Read more...
Liz Carey, May 14, 2021, Transportation Today

Washington D.C. DOT to invest $10M in road improvements

The Washington D.C. District Department of Transportation (DDOT) will be investing $10 million to improve the safety of intersections and roads. Read more...
Melina Druga, May 14, 2021, Transportation Today

What does WMATA's non-dire 2022 budget mean for an equitable recovery in DC?

Thanks to an influx of $729 million in federal relief after fare revenues collapsed in 2020 and early 2021, WMATA’s FY2022 budget restores about 80 - 85% of pre-pandemic service levels for train and bus, respectively, from June. Read more...
Caitlin Rogger, May 14, 2021, GGWash

Bike to Work Day 2021

Next Friday, May 21, is the 20th annual Bike to Work Day, and it’s not too late to register for this free event and receive a free T-shirt. Read more...
May 14, 2021, FABB

Metro expects most pre-pandemic riders won't return this year amid an altered future for transit

The transit agency will regain only about 42 percent of its pre-pandemic riders by the end of the year, according to a new report. Read more...
Justin George, May 13, 2021, Washington Post

Metro waives fee for events that end after normal closing time

The temporary fee waiver and extended rail service will be provided until Dec. 31 when needed for the Capitals, Nationals and other events. Read more...
Mark Hand, May 13, 2021, Arlington Patch

Metro bus service to ramp up without rail fare discounts

Metro will take more steps toward a return to normalcy next month with additional bus service. Read more...
John Aaron, May 13, 2021, WTOP

Riders say frequent cleaning, ability to social distance will encourage them to return to Metro

About 55% of riders surveyed said more frequent cleaning of buses or trains would make them more likely to take transit. Read more...
May 13, 2021, dcist

New bill would help measure transportation access for non-drivers

A new bill would give U.S. communities money to analyze how easy -- or difficult -- it is for residents to access the destinations they need most, and how their mode of transportation, race, income, age, disability, and other factors that affect their basic mobility. Read more...
Kea Wilson, May 13, 2021, Streetsblog USA

Have an expired Maryland license? Get it renewed before Aug. 15.

The Motor Vehicle Administration will resume requirements to renew state-issued documents after an extension during the coronavirus pandemic. Read more...
Luz Lazo, May 13, 2021, Washington Post

Agreement allows buses to switch from diesel to electric

Montgomery County has reached an agreement with AlphaStruxure for an integrated microgrid and electric bus charging infrastructure project at the Brookville Bus Depot  in Silver Spring. Read more...
May 13, 2021, Bethesda Magazine

MDOT hosts meeting on University Blvd. bike lane project

The Maryland Department of Transportation State Highway Administration is hosting a virtual presentation Thursday so residents in Montgomery County can learn more about the shared streets pilot project coming to University Boulevard in Wheaton. Read more...
Will Vitka, May 13, 2021, WTOP

Speak up to support the Cinder Bed Bikeway!

Springfield, Kingstowne, Newington, and Fort Belvoir riders, we need you to show your support for the Cinder Bed Bikeway. Read more...
May 13, 2021, FABB

DDOT launches new digital parking permit system

Today, the District Department of Transportation (DDOT) announced the preliminary launch of ParkDC Permits, a new, centralized digital system for DC residents and their visitors to manage visitor, temporary, home health aide, and contractor parking permits via a single online portal. Read more...
May 12, 2021, DDOT

Biking and trail use continues to grow in Northern Virginia

It’s been 20 years since Bike to Work Day began, and it grows each year showing that there is another side to commuting that uses no gas, has health benefits and is fun, even if it’s only one day a year for many. Read more...
Mike Salmon, May 13, 2021, Arlington Connection

Alexandria residents encouraged to take part in Bike to Work Day May 21

Related events and activities in the city will meet all current health guidelines. Physical distancing, mask-wearing, and group limits will all be in place. Read more...
May 11, 2021, Zebra

Modern Mobility: Happy Bike Month

May is Bike Month, and from what I’ve seen out and about so far, lots of you are already celebrating. Read more...
Chris Slatt, May 12, 2021, ARLnow

As long lines reported at local gas stations, D.C.-area officials urge drivers not to panic buy

Some local gas stations are experiencing fuel shortages as the effects of a ransomware attack on the Colonial Pipeline late last week ripple through the region. Read more...
Dominique Maria Bonessi, May 12, 2021, dcist

Maryland Department of Transportation shrinks plan to supersize Beltway

Maryland’s Department of Transportation announced a proposal to drastically reduce its Beltway expansion project, a part of the state’s years-long effort to reduce congestion on the Beltway and I-270. Read more...
Colleen Grablick, May 12, 2021, dcist

Amid rising road deaths, Bowser pledges $10 million for more speed cameras, street improvements

With traffic deaths happening at the fastest pace in recent years, Mayor Muriel Bowser said Wednesday that she’s dedicating $10 million to add speed cameras across D.C. and make changes at dangerous intersections. Read more...
Jordan Pascale, May 12, 2021, dcist

Study: Cycling rates low unless women are riding

Around the world, cities that do the best job of catering to the needs of women cyclists also have the highest level of cycling overall, a new study finds -- and the U.S. has among the lowest share of female-identified riders on the planet. Read more...
Kea Wilson, May 13, 2021, Streetsblog USA

Metro is behind on training and safety protocols, audit says

Metro is not keeping up with preventive maintenance, lacks needed safety certifications and is not training employees on how to maintain the system’s complex equipment and machinery, the Washington Metrorail Safety Commission said in a new audit. Read more...
Justin George, May 12, 2021, Washington Post

Arlington County Attorney to join VRE on full-time basis

The transit agency on May 10 announced it had tapped MacIsaac as its new full-time general counsel. He starts on May 31. Read more...
May 12, 2021, Inside NoVa