Regional Transit News Service Alerts | ART News | Subscribe Latest News Urban mobility as a system: from car-centric to human-centered cities This shift toward systemic thinking marks a turning point in urban planning since the advent of the automobile itself. For over a century, cities bent their form to accommodate vehicles - building freeways that sliced through neighborhoods and streets that privileged traffic over tree canopy and walkability. Ankitha Gattupalli, September 1, 2025, Arch Daily Metro's asking, let's answer! More biking. Less driving. A better commute. That’s the promise of a well-connected, multimodal transportation system—and we need your help to make it a reality. September 3, 2025, Fairfax Alliance for Better Bicycling Region's new transportation plan fails to meet climate goals It’s clear that under the proposed plan, even a more rapid switch to electric vehicles won’t be enough to meet our emissions reduction targets. The plan does too little to foster the more walkable, bikeable, transit-friendly communities needed to curb emissions from vehicles. Bill Pugh, September 3, 2025, Greater Greater Washington Maryland considers allowing e-bikes on all state trails Maryland officials say they recognize the number of e-bikes has exploded in recent years and they are just trying to give everyone a space to use them. Adam Tuss, September 3, 2025, NBC4 Washington Maryland awards $1.2M in rail grants to improve safety, reliability The grant program supports projects that preserve rail corridors, improve safety and reliability of freight rail operations and foster the growth of businesses that depend on rail service. Melina Druga, September 2, 2025, Transportation Today Five trips to trails by transit The 35% of DC’s population that is car-free shouldn’t have to jump through hoops and pore over timetables in order to access parks and trails beyond metropolitan DC. Transit to Trails service should be simple, direct, and accessible to all. Spencer Ainsworth, September 2, 2025, Greater Greater Washington Arlington seeks replacement for 'creaky' elevator at Courthouse Metro The Courthouse Metro station opened in 1979 and the lone elevator taking riders from street level to the Metro station is, in the words of one county staffer, “creaky.” Still, it’s a vital link for riders who cannot use escalators. Scott McCaffrey, September 2, 2025, ARLNow What rush hour with the National Guard in the Metro looks like in Trump's D.C. Time spent at stations during those busy hours shows the array of interactions that have been occurring between riders and Guard members. Rachel Weiner/Michael Laris/Daranee Balachandar/Daniel Wu/Juan Benn Jr, September 2, 2025, The Washington Post Trump plans takeover of DC's Union Station Now, USDOT says “strong direction is needed to restore this federal asset to its former glory,” and D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser noted that the station needs roughly $8 billion in repairs, which the District cannot afford. Diana Ionescu, August 31, 2025, Planetizen Amtrak launches NextGen Acela trains, ushering in 'Amtrak 2.0' These 28 Alstom-built trains are the first new premium high-speed trainsets to operate on the Northeast Corridor since Acela’s debut in 2000, highlighting just how much has changed in the 25-year span between their launch dates. Noah Kolenda, August 29, 2025, Mass Transit Magazine Maryland transit system to ban code of conduct violators “The new policy, which goes into effect Oct. 1, comes alongside an updated ‘Rider Code of Conduct’ that formally prohibits many commonsense prohibited behaviors on MTA vehicles and at stations like smoking, stealing and unlawful possession of a firearm.” The code is part of an effort to increase safety on transit. Diana Ionescu, August 31, 2025, Planetizen Three Green Line stations reopen on Monday after successful repairs Crews completed work on radio and fiber optic cables, renewed sections of rail and elevated track structures, signal system upgrades, and switch replacements. In addition, the stations have upgraded customer amenities including replacement platform edge lighting, improved lighting in stations, and updated station signage. August 29, 2025, WMATA Washington Metro unveils livery for new 8000-series fleet Metro’s base order for 256 new railcars will be produced at Hitachi Rail’s new factory in Hagerstown, Maryland. The transit agency also has options to order an additional 800 cars upon completion. Joey Stoate, August 28, 2025, Railway News MDOT: $1.2MM for FRGP projects The grant program “advances the Department’s goal to make smart investments that improve safety, drive economic growth and preserve Maryland’s transportation system. It complements MDOT’s Serious About Safety? initiative—an enhanced, department-wide effort to promote safety and save lives,” MDOT noted. Carolina Worrell, August 28, 2025, Railway Age What I've learned from getting transit wrong Years ago, I believed that if someone drove instead of taking the train or bus, it meant they were rejecting transit. That not riding was an active choice against it. I couldn’t have been more wrong. Hayden Clarkin, August 28, 2025, Streetsblog USA D.C. train station under federal control Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy announced the takeover Wednesday alongside Amtrak President Roger Harris at Washington's main transportation hub during the launch of an updated version of the rail service's Acela train. Darlene Superville, August 28, 2025, Democrat Gazette Local artists wanted to decorate future Route 1 bus stations Currently carrying an estimated cost of $979 million, the Richmond Highway BRT will serve nine stations along a 7-mile stretch of road from the Huntington Metro station to Fort Belvoir. Angela Woolsey, August 27, 2025, FFXNow Ride for a Cause: Join the Tour de Midnight FABB encourages our members and fellow riders to support the 10th Annual Tour de Midnight charity ride on Saturday, October 18, 2025—an inspiring event hosted by the Epilepsy Foundation of Virginia (EFVA) to raise awareness and funding for the 85,000 Virginians living with epilepsy. August 27, 2025, Fairfax Alliance for Better Bicycling Bikeshare Beat: Over 700K rides in July, over 4 million in 2025 Capital Bikeshare (CaBi) recorded 705,343 trips in July, an increase of 19.7% from July 2024. Annual ridership in 2025 has now passed 4 million rides through July and is up 27.1% from 2024. The regional bikeshare network has now recorded year-over-year monthly ridership increases for 43 consecutive months. Samuel Littauer, August 27, 2025, Greater Greater Washington Why some districts are shifting teens from school buses to public transit Faced with rising transportation costs, some districts are eyeing public transit as a potential alternative—particularly for older students. In large metropolitan cities like Chicago and New York, eligible secondary school students already receive free or discounted metro passes. But for other communities, the switch isn’t so simple. Jennifer Igbonoba, August 21, 2025, Education Week Back to brown: Metro unveils design for 8000 series cars The next generation of Metro cars will embrace the retro look of the first trains that rolled out in the 1970s. The 8000 series set to launch in 2028 will ditch the current silver and black color scheme that debuted in 2015 in favor of its original dominant shade: brown. Rachel Weiner, August 26, 2025, The Washington Post U.S. Transportation Department plans to take over D.C.'s Union Station It’s not clear how dramatic the change will be for the transit hub, which connects regional trains and buses to the Metro system. Duffy said it will involve a cooperative agreement with the nonprofit Union Station Redevelopment Corp., which controls the station, and Amtrak, which leases space from the USRC. Rachel Weiner, August 27, 2025, The Washington Post Transit riders share stories at community-building event ahead of 'Week Without Driving' While hearing stories about transit struggles was validating for many in the crowd, the folks they were meant for weren’t in attendance. Jonathan Maus, August 26, 2025, Bike Portland Transit agencies expand free and discounted passes for students as new academic year begins The programs aim to remove transportation barriers to education. Brandon Lewis, August 25, 2025, Mass Transit Magazine Plan for road diet with bike lanes on Huntington Avenue stalls The project, which was a joint effort of Virginia’s Department of Transportation (VDOT) and the Fairfax County Department of Transportation (FCDOT), has stalled after multiple years of planning, both agencies told FFXnow. Jared Serre, August 25, 2025, FFXNow The Metro U Pop-Up shop is now open through Sept. 12 Take the Blue, Orange, Silver, Green, or Yellow lines to L'Enfant Plaza and take Exit B. Cross the street and enter Metro's headquarters to get into the shop. August 22, 2025, WMATA Adventure Cycling adds NoVa Loop to Short Routes collection The NoVa Loop showcases some of Northern Virginia’s best trails, riverside paths, and bike-friendly roads in a 68.5-mile adventure connecting Fairfax County, Arlington, Alexandria, and D.C. August 24, 2025, Fairfax Alliance for Better Bicycling Bike bus + Pop up lane = A better way to get back to School (and advocate) As America's roads grow more dangerous for people on two wheels, it's not hard to see why parents need a little encouragement to get their kids in the saddle — and a little help understanding why bike infrastructure is a public good worth investing in. Kea Wilson, August 25, 2025, Streetsblog USA DC ranked among top 10 safest US cities for pedestrians The "Safest & Most Dangerous Cities for Pedestrians in 2025" report revealed the District had 2.95 pedestrian deaths per 100,000 people. D.C. also had a "Walk Score" of 98. The report noted that the dense urban planning and extensive transit systems enhanced pedestrian safety. August 24, 2025, Fox Baltimore Metro riders have until Friday to vote on new train designs The deadline is Friday, Aug. 22, for the public to vote for one of three proposed designs for the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority’s upcoming 8000-series rail fleet. James Cullum, August 21, 2025, ALXNow