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FTA to award nearly $10.5 million in TOD grants

Grants will advance a key part of the administration's Housing Supply Action Plan by helping communities develop plans to encourage ridership by developing housing and businesses near transit corridors.  
November 1, 2024, Mass Transit Magazine

Fairfax planning commission backs more accessible parking in new development

Those with disabilities would see more accessible parking spaces connected to new development under new rules vetted Wednesday (Oct. 30) by the Fairfax County Planning Commission.
Scott McCaffrey, November 1, 2024, FFXNow

MDOT MTA rolls out new fare payment option through Transit app

The new mobile ticketing option through the Transit app allows riders to purchase a CharmPass to ride local bus, light rail, subway, Maryland Area Rail Commuter train and commuter bus.
October 31, 2024, Mass Transit Magazine

'Lexus lane'? Express lanes proposed for Beltway in Virginia, Maryland

Maryland officials have pushed back against the plan, saying they believe it will create more congestion on their side of the Wilson Bridge.
Adam Tuss, October 31, 2024, NBC4 Washington

Public transportation is on ballots across America

While the media is focused on Trump and Harris in the days leading up to the general election, communities across America are also casting their votes on something else important: their public transportation future.
Apolline Lamy, November 1, 2024, Streetsblog USA

Metro Transit Police launch in-house training academy, saving Metro $1 million annually

The Academy will provide MTPD staff the opportunity to focus heavily on transit policing and training specific to Metro, while still meeting training objectives established by the State of Maryland, the Commonwealth of Virginia, and the District of Columbia. 
October 31, 2024, WMATA

Some Ride On buses to be fueled by gas from human waste

The water gets cleaned and ends up in the Potomac River. The solids get the methane gas harvested from them, cleaned and purified, and then it becomes natural gas. Later this year, that gas will be used to power Montgomery County’s Ride On buses.
John Domen, October 30, 2024, WTOP

Is US high-speed rail finally on a roll?

These high-speed rail projects could be the beginning of a new high-tech manufacturing industry in the U.S. and spur economic development around where they operate, the mode’s supporters say. 
Dan Zukowski, October 30, 2024, Smart Cities Dive

The math isn't adding up for public transit. here's how to fix it.

Transit agencies often evaluate each of these applications in isolation, aiming to maximize each individual investment. The problem with this approach is that multiple siloed applications add up to a major expense for agencies already grappling with financial constraints.
Gabriel J. Lopez-Bernal, October 29, 2024, Metro Magazine

Report: Confronting car dependence won't just help with climate change; it's a $6.2 trillion opportunity

It would also save the country $128 billion in avoided public health costs from tailpipe emissions, as well as the fine pollutants like tire particles and brake dust that heavier electric cars emit even more of.
Kea Wilson, October 30, 2024, Streetsblog USA

Weekend construction to close five stations on Orange Line

This weekend, November 2 and November 3, Metro will close five stations – Minnesota Ave, Deanwood, Cheverly, Landover, and New Carrollton - on the Orange Line for construction, with service adjustments on the Blue and Silver lines as well.
October 30, 2024, WMATA

What we learned from the Week Without Driving

Whether it’s because of disability, income, or preference, 36% of DC residents do not drive. We recently ran a campaign that provided valuable data and insights about how people do get around without cars and what barriers they experienced.
Kai Hall, Cynthea Wang, October 30, 2024, Greater Greater Washington

Biden-Harris Administration announces $2.4 billion in new rail projects to improve safety, strengthen supply chains and grow America's freight and passenger rail networks

Projects in this round of selections reflect the broad array of rail safety and service improvements eligible under this program, such as upgrading track, replacing or rehabilitating aging bridges, expanding rail connections at ports, adding modern locomotives to fleets, and more. 
October 29, 2024, Transportation.gov

Council plans to ignore mayor's veto on bill set to help 200+ laid off DC contractors

On the first day of cuts in October, the council proposed the D.C. Circulator Emergency Transition Amendment Act. The bill calls on the city to take any money received from the sale of D.C. Circulator vehicles or property and use it to help D.C. Circulator workers who are losing their jobs.
Phylicia Ashley, October 28, 2024, NBC4 Washington

DC-area leaders launch campaign to boost pedestrian safety during winter months

The campaign aims to cut down on distracted and impaired driving this fall and winter, when there’s fewer daylight hours and decreased visibility on the road.
Juan Herrera, October 29, 2024, WTOP

Biden-Harris Administration announces $800,000 to improve infrastructure in Maryland

It's going to fund the Maryland State Trespassing Safety Study. The project was selected for Systems Planning and includes activities to perform an assessment of trespassing incidents on active railroad rights-of-way across the state.
Brin Moulton, October 29, 2024, WMAR2 Baltimore

FTA orders transit agencies to protect workers amid rising assaults

Transit agencies subject to the general directive have until Dec. 26, 2024, to tell the FTA about the risk level in their systems and how they are assessing and mitigating those risks.
Dan Zukowski, October 28, 2024, Smart Cities Dive

GPS and AI technology help buses power through traffic

Transit organizations have been quick to embrace bus rapid transit (BRT) routes along primary corridors as solutions to decrease travel times — removing buses from clogged city streets by giving them their own lane. 
Skip Descant, October 28, 2024, Government Technology

Study finds 70% of DC bus riders evade fees

Although WMATA has recently installed new fare gates in Metro stations, renovated buses with more efficient fareboxes and expanded police efforts to enforce fares, the study has prompted the agency to consider changing its funding model to incentivize local governments to crack down on fare evasion. 
Arianna Bishop, October 27, 2024, The Hoya

OmniRide talks new commuter routes from Warrenton and Front Royal to DC

The routes would transport commuters into Washington with no financial burden on the towns, as the Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation is expected to fund the project through grants.
Grace Schumacher, October 26, 2024, Inside NoVa

Metro advises customers of MTA's Purple Line construction impacts to bus bay, parking lot, and Kiss & Ride on Ellin Road at New Carrollton Station

Effective Sunday, October 27, 2024, Metro will implement changes to the bus bay, parking lot, and Kiss & Ride on the Ellin Road side of New Carrollton Station.
October 25, 2024, WMATA

Making mobility-as-a-service a reality: Challenges and opportunities

The concept envisions a system where users can plan, pay for and be guided through multimodal trips with contextual and real-time notifications. This ambitious vision promises to streamline urban transportation to reduce congestion and enhance mobility.

 
Paulo Ferreira dos Santos, October 25, 2024, Mass Transit Magazine

Over and over, studies show bike lanes don't cause congestion

According to studies, dedicated bike lanes increase the number of people biking and reduce the number of cars on the street. 
Diana Ionescu, October 25, 2024, Planetizen

USDOT announces $96.5 million in transportation technology grants Oct. 25, 2024

“The Biden-Harris Administration continues to advance projects that are modernizing the transportation sector and improving access, efficiency, and safety for all travelers,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg.
October 25, 2024, Roads and Bridges

'Frustrated and disappointed': Metro ends late-night service worker discounts

Metro will end its After-Hours Commuter Service Program, which gives late-night workers discounts on Lyft as of Oct. 31.
Joseph Olmo, October 24, 2024, NBC4 Washington

Evaluating transportation affordability: How planners can better respond to demands for lower cost travel

Affordability is an important but often overlooked transportation planning issue. A new report provides practical guidance for evaluating transportation affordability and achieving affordability goals.
Todd Litman, October 24, 2024, Planetizen

Transit measures are on the November ballot in these city, county and state elections

Transportation policy has barely gotten a mention by the front-runners in this year’s presidential race, but that doesn’t mean it is being overlooked at the local level. 
Dan Zukowski, October 24, 2024, Smart Cities Dive

Maryland transportation officials to strengthen Bay Bridge safety amid growing risks

The Maryland Transportation Authority (MDTA) is currently in the planning stages of a $145 million pier protection project aimed at safeguarding the 70-year-old Bay Bridge from modern ship strikes. 
Mitch Blacher, October 24, 2024, ABC7 News

4 new speeding cameras installed in DC as city reaches $60M in traffic enforcement revenu

For now, the penalty for running these red lights will begin as a warning citation sent to drivers by mail. But starting Nov. 22, drivers can expect a $150 fine. 
John Gonzalez, October 24, 2024, ABC7 News

Lawmakers voice concerns about future of Red Line project amid MDOT spending cuts

The Red Line is a planned 14-mile Light Rail line connecting Baltimore’s east-west corridor between Highlandtown and Woodlawn, running through downtown Baltimore.
Jessica Babb, October 22, 2024, Fox Baltimore

New real-time parking pricing signs appear in Courthouse

The goal of the initiative is to make it easier to park in areas that currently have high parking demand, encouraging drivers to go to less popular areas.This is meant to reduce the time drivers spend looking for spots and drive down issues like double parking and erratic driving.
Dan Egitto, October 22, 2024, ARLNow

How AI can improve public transit

Using AI, agencies can perform more accurate passenger counting so they can effectively manage their fleet and staffing. AI can also help detect anomalies in system operations more quickly.
Diana Ionescu, October 23, 2024, Planetizen

MDOT, Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development sign MOU to advance state's transit, economic development, housing and climate goals

“This partnership is a win-win for Maryland families, as transit-oriented development will help lower the costs of housing while increasing access and ridership to transit,” Secretary Wiedefeld said. 
October 22, 2024, Mass Transit Magazine

USDOT awards more than $4.2B for national infrastructure projects

The US DOT said 44 projects were selected to receive grants in the latest round of funding, including projects that improve safety and economic competitiveness, construct major bridges, expand port capacity, and redesign interchanges. 
Liz Carey, October 22, 2024, Transportation Today

What do you want for Arlington's transportation future?

 This is the question that Arlington County will tackle over the next 18 months as we rewrite our Master Transportation Plan.
Jane Green, October 22, 2024, Greater Greater Washington

Transportation costs soared in major US cities over the past 10 years

Transportation is the second largest household expense nationally, consuming 17% of average household spending and creating a cost burden for many low-income households in New York City and elsewhere, the report states.
Dan Zukowski, October 21, 2024, Smart Cities Dive

VRE ridership increases slightly as system adjusts to the 'new normal'

As the Virginia Railway Express (VRE) heads into 2025, its proposed budget reflects its challenges and opportunities in a post-COVID world. The budget discussed at the October 18, 2024, 
Uriah Kiser, October 22, 2024, Potomac Local News

Metro considers running trains earlier on weekends

In the long term, there’s a lot of funding that’s going to be needed, and running trains an hour earlier on weekends would cost about $3 million per year. It’s unclear how that cost would translate to riders or taxpayers.
Adam Tuss, October 21, 2024, NBC4 Washington

For the fifth straight month, CaBi breaks ridership record

Capital Bikeshare is also undergoing a series of station renovations to enable docked e-bikes to be charged at solar-powered stations. This investment is funded by a $375,000 grant from the District Department of Energy & Environment, awarded this Spring. 
Samuel Littauer, October 21, 2024, Greater Greater Washington

Biden-Harris Administration announces more than $4.2 billion from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law for transformational, national infrastructure projects

A total of 44 projects were selected in this round of funding, including projects that improve safety, mobility, and economic competitiveness, constructing major bridges, expanding port capacity, redesigning interchanges, and more.
October 21, 2024, Transportation.gov

FTA updates rules regarding safety oversight of rail transit

“Today, we are making rail transit even safer for both transit workers and riders,” FTA Deputy Administrator Veronica Vanterpool said in a press release. 
Transit Staff, October 21, 2024, Trains.com