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Metro reports more than 500,000 riders on Saturday during warm weather, peak bloom

VDOT traffic cameras showed bumper-to-bumper congestion most of Saturday morning and afternoon on I-395 coming into D.C. from Arlington. Metro stations were also packed, with WUSA9 video showing shoulder-to-shoulder passengers waiting to board trains at the smithsonian Metro stop.
Alex Fernandez, March 29, 2025, WUSA9

States push to shift road funds to transit and bike projects as Trump threatens cuts

As the administration targets green energy projects championed by former President Joe Biden that boosted transit, recreational trails and bicycle infrastructure, several states are banding together to advance those priorities on their own.
Jeff McMurray, March 28, 2025, The Associated Press

Public transit moves working families. We need to support it.

Increasing access to affordable transportation options is key to improving affordability for working families in communities across the United States. Eighty-nine percent of Americans report concerns about the cost of living. You hear about it wherever you go.
Vanessa Alvarez, March 27, 2025, Other Words

The call to improve mass transit's appeal to be more competitive

The success of these programs hinges on making mass transit more competitive than private car use. Cities that invest in advanced traffic intersection prioritization technologies and leverage data to enhance the transit experience are seeing tangible benefits.  
Timothy Menard, March 28, 2025, Mass Transit Magazine

Metro to ban 'violent offenders' for up to a year

Under the new policy adopted at Thursday’s meeting, the targeted crimes would include sexual offenses, assaults on employees and assaults on other passengers on buses, trains or on Metro property. 
Kate Ryan, March 27, 2025, WTOP

D.C. Metro's beloved cherry blossom-themed train & buses are officially back

This year, the design features a brand of blooming yoshino cherry blossoms along the side of the train/bus in front of a baby blue backdrop with the iconic Japanese ‘Rising Sun’ design in the middle.
Alex Striano, March 26, 2025, Secret DC

Study: Larger vehicles lead to more congestion

This is because larger vehicles reduce the capacity of driving lanes, according to researchers from the University of Sydney and the University of Hong Kong.
Diana Ionescu, March 26, 2025, Planetizen

Research: Walkability linked to improved public health

A study reveals that the density of city blocks is a significant factor in communities’ walkability and, subsequently, improved public health outcomes for residents.
Diana Ionescu, March 26, 2025, Planetizen

Public transit infrastructure receives 'D' grade in ASCE 2025 report card

Despite this added investment, ASCE is projecting a $152 billion funding gap between 2024 and 2033. This is partially due to the fact that public transit continues to deal with rising costs and added sustainability and resiliency needs, coupled with decreased ridership and a lack of operational support
Megan Perrero, March 26, 2025, Mass Transit Magazine

Metro proposes several cuts amid tough budget times for local governments

During a meeting Monday with the regional transportation group DMVMoves, Metro General Manager Randy Clarke said he understands budgets are tight throughout the region, so he is making the moves to reduce the amount of taxpayer subsidies he’s asking for.
Tom Roussey, March 25, 2025, ABC7 News

I'm 84: Rider Urges VRE to Bring Back Human Touch as Station Gets Facelift

The Woodbridge Station repainting is scheduled to commence in the coming months. VRE officials hope that the refreshed station will provide a more welcoming environment for all passengers.
Uriah Kiser, March 25, 2025, Potomac Local News

OmniRide expansion marks new era following state law change

The passage of Senate Bill 1317, unanimously approved by the Virginia General Assembly and currently awaiting the Governor’s signature, officially grants PRTC the authority to expand transit service beyond its founding jurisdictions.
Uriah Kiser, March 24, 2025, Potomac Local News

Metro opening two hours early for the Cherry Blossom 10 Mile Run on Sunday, April 6

Metro is committed to delivering safe, reliable service to support the region by providing extended hours for large-scale public events. The race draws more than 17,000 runners, in addition to thousands more who come to watch.
March 24, 2025, WMATA

Beyond congestion pricing: strategies for revolutionizing urban mobility

Perhaps most significantly, the congestion pricing initiative has catalyzed a notable shift toward public transportation. Weekday bus ridership has grown by 6 percent, while weekend ridership has surged by an impressive 21 percent compared to January 2024.
Timothy Menard, March 24, 2025, Planetizen

DC Metro on target to exceed 1 million daily riders

The large growth in ridership comes after President Donald Trump signed an executive order on his first day in office mandating all federal workers return to work in-person, but commuter traffic was already on the upswing prior to Trump’s order.
Elaine Mallon, March 23, 2025, Washington Examiner

DASH wants public input on bus expansion into Arlandria

The preferred alternative (out of four) would be to add bus service from the Potomac Yard Metro station to Arlandria and the Arlington Ridge Shopping Center.
James Cullum, March 20, 2025, ALXNow

DC Circulator buses hit auction block with bids starting at $1,000

With the auctions ongoing, there's still time for interested buyers to snag a piece of D.C. transit history. If you've ever dreamed of owning a Circulator-branded bus, now might be your chance.
Sophie Rosenthal, March 19, 2025, WUSA9

DOT takes aim at transit systems in NYC, DC and California

The Trump administration is ramping up its pressure campaign against Democratic-led states and cities, saying this week that it could withhold funding from New York City’s subways unless local officials turn over information about transit crime and safety funding.
Mike Lee, March 20, 2025, E&E News

Competitive mass transit: using technology and data to revolutionize city commutes

The program's immediate impacts have not only successfully reduced traffic congestion but also significantly boosted ridership on mass transit options.
Timothy Menard, March 19, 2025, Metro Magazine

How much money do motorists lose each year commuting on roads in Maryland?

The average driver in the D.C. area loses $3,464 each year due to driving on local and state roads that are deteriorated, congested or are without some safety features, according to a new report by TRIP, a national transportation research nonprofit based in D.C.
Mike Murillo, March 20, 2025, WTOP

Letter to the editor: We need better transit before adding density

Having navigated all my life a transit landscape that was insufficient for my needs, I crave the time when our society embraces the aspirational vision of walkable, bikeable neighborhoods, towns and cities that are fully interconnected by frequent, affordable, fast, safe, accessible and reliable public transit.
Aaron B. Cohen, March 18, 2025, Evanston Roundtable

USDOT could pull green infrastructure grants

According to an explainer from Transportation for America, the memo applies to projects whose funding has not yet been fully obligated. “Projects that contain ‘flagged activities’ could be revised, even if they meet all requirements of law, to comply with this administration’s agenda.” 
Diana Ionescu, March 18, 2025, Planetizen

Metro expects cherry blossom ridership boom but faces budget constraints

While the cherry blossom crowds and return-to-office orders for federal workers are good news for Metro, ideas like opening the system an hour earlier and closing an hour later on the weekends may be a challenge given the current financial climate in the DMV.
Adam Tuss, March 17, 2025, NBC4 Washington

Up to $51B in transportation grant awards at risk, advocacy group says

Examples of programs that could be impacted include the Safe Streets and Roads for All grant program: just $515 million has been obligated across 979 grants, leaving nearly $2.4 billion at risk. 
Dan Zukowski, March 17, 2025, Smart Cities Dive

OmniRide sees ridership surge, but funding challenges loom

With more passengers relying on OmniRide’s commuter services, the University Boulevard commuter lot has seen a significant increase in usage. Routes 611, 612, and 622 from the lot now carry over 1,700 passengers daily.
Uriah Kiser, March 17, 2025, Potomac Local News

COVID-19 and rail, five years later

Local rail transit was cut almost everywhere, with wider headways between runs. Many providers shortened the service day by shutting down earlier in the evening than under “normal service” times. Bus service was generally hit harder than rail service. 
David Peter Alan, March 17, 2025, Railway Age

Tell the US DOT to keep bike lane funding moving

If this freeze holds, many projects aimed at making our streets safer and more accessible may never break ground. Some projects already in progress will stop immediately, leaving dangerous streets unchanged and communities without the infrastructure they need.
March 17, 2025, Fairfax Alliance for Better Bicycling

What the proposed federal budget means for transit, rail

The House Appropriations Committee’s proposed budget for FY 2025 increases public transit investment by under 1 percent from last year, while passenger rail funding is decreased by 1 percent. 
Diana Ionescu, March 16, 2025, Planetizen

Cherry blossoms, federal workforce and more: How Metro will handle more riders

Metro has seen an increase of riders since the pandemic and will now see even more as federal workers return to the office and people visit the cherry blossoms. 
Adam Tuss, March 16, 2025, NBC4 Washington