Regional Transit News Service Alerts | ART News | Subscribe Latest News Commuters share candid reviews after worker considers e-bike purchase: 'Nice to show up to the office without breaking a sweat' Commuting can be monotonous and environmentally damaging, but the world's workers must get from point A to point B. For this reason, it is a wonder to have transportation options for that day-to-day travel. Claire Huber, June 9, 2025, The Cooldown Friends raced to check out every Metro station in one day. Would they make it? Louie Melluish and Will Sheriff built a model that told them the most efficient route. Running a simulation a million times, they were given an average completion time of just under 20 hours and a 72 percent chance of making it. They liked those odds. Rachel Weiner, June 9, 2025, The Washington Post Maryland DOT deploying 'Complete Streets' projects Complete Streets is all about ensuring everyone has access to safe, convenient transportation, and our experience with quick-build projects shows we can deliver on that promise with innovation and efficiency. Melina Druga, June 9, 2025, Transportation Today Protected bike lanes boost bicycle commuting The paper, titled "The link between low-stress bicycle facilities and bicycle commuting," reports that protected bike lanes see about 1.8 times the number of bike commuters than standard bike lanes do and 4.3 times as many as blocks without bike lanes. Nick Ferenchak, June 8, 2025, Mirage Five takeaways from Trump's proposed 2026 budget for rail and public transit The U.S. Department of Transportation could see a $1.5 billion increase in its discretionary budget authority in fiscal year 2026, a 6% increase over the current fiscal year, if President Donald Trump’s budget request is enacted. Funding for public transit, passenger and freight rail would increase. Dan Zukowski, June 6, 2025, Smart Cities Dive Where public transit systems are bouncing back around the world Subway ridership came booming back in many European and East Asian cities, while much of North and South America remains well below pre-pandemic levels, according to a Bloomberg analysis of 15 major transit systems on four continents. Aaron Gordon, Marie Patino, June 5, 2025, Bloomberg Metro unveils new design, extends service for WorldPride During the last weekend of WorldPride, Metro will increase its services and extend hours along the Yellow Line to the end of the line at Greenbelt. Odyssey Fields, June 6, 2025, DC News Now Uber's new shuttles look suspiciously familiar to anyone who's taken a bus Beyond the jokes about Uber inventing bus lines are serious questions about what its shuttle service will mean for struggling transit systems, air quality, and congestion. Sophie Hurwitz, June 3, 2025, Grist Reminder: Metro begins construction on the Blue Line on July 5 Metro’s annual summer and winter construction work keeps the Metrorail system in a state of good repair, preventing problems before they disrupt service. One construction period allows crews to get more work done at a time instead of months of weekend closures. June 5, 2025, WMATA How to get around D.C. during WorldPride this weekend Metro has Pride-wrapped buses and trains, too, and is increasing rail service between Friday and Sunday. Capital Bikeshare also has Pride-themed bikes across the city and will have bike valets who will take your bike if you can't find a parking spot at docks near this weekend's events. Mimi Montgomery, June 4, 2025, Axios VDOT holding public hearing in Alexandria on plan to add express lanes to Woodrow Wilson Bridge While widening the bridge is not being proposed, VDOT is considering removing concrete barriers between through and local lanes, both of which limit VDOT’s options for express lanes. James Cullum, June 4, 2025, ALXNow Want more bike commuters? Build protected bike lanes, says new study The study’s big takeaway is simple and clear: not all bike infrastructure is created equal. The difference in performance between types of facilities is dramatic. Ron Johnson, June 2, 2025, Momentum Mag Blind pedestrians sue D.C. over unsafe crosswalks The pedestrians, all of whom are blind, are among five people suing the District, alleging that it doesn’t provide enough working signals that make it safe for them to cross the street. Jasmine Hilton, June 1, 2025, The Washington Post Trump budget calls for 25% cut in Amtrak Northeast Corridor funding According to the detailed DOT budget request, Amtrak national network funding would increase by $291 million, with the overall Amtrak budget down by $763,000. David Lassen, June 2, 2025, Trains The household auto fleet is a money pit Replacing a car with an e-bike can save a household $120,000 over a decade—enough to wipe out debt, fund a college account, or boost retirement savings. Andy Boenau, June 2, 2025, Fast Company Congressman proposes bill to rename DC Metro "Trump Train" In a bill brought before the U.S. House of Representatives last week, Rep. Greg Steube (R-Fla.) calls for revoking federal funding to the agency if it refuses to go through with the name change. Diana Ionescu, June 2, 2025, Planetizen New Metro bus network expected to begin June 29, residents supporting the project Metro is redesigning its entire bus network for the first time in 50 years. Every route will get a new name, some routes will change, and some new connections are coming. Metro GM and CEO Randy Clarke says work has been underway since 2022 to improve the bus system. Tim Reid, June 2, 2025, DC News Now Innovating fare collection: How three transit agencies are rethinking revenue, ridership and the rider experience From fare freezes to new pricing models and vending machines, the TTC, WMATA and PRT are evolving how they collect and manage fares. Brandon Lewis, June 2, 2025, Mass Transit Magazine VDOT leans toward two toll lanes on I-495 across Woodrow Wilson Bridge With its I-495 Southside Express Lanes study, VDOT identified 10 options for relieving congestion on the Beltway before pushing two forward as “build” alternatives — one with a single toll lane in each direction and one with two lanes — as well as one “no-build” alternative. Vernon Miles, June 2, 2025, FFXNow Arlington streetcar critics take victory lap over D.C.'s plans to kill similar project Underscoring the difficult logistics of D.C.’s streetcar service, especially its high price tag, onetime opponents of the Columbia Pike streetcar hold up the latest news as evidence that Arlington’s initiative wouldn’t have worked. Scott McCaffrey, June 2, 2025, ARLNow One structural change could shift everything about how transportation works in America Advocates are pushing for a simple but potentially seismic change in how America delegates its federal transportation dollars — by giving more funds directly to the regional governments whose taxpayers disproportionately generate them, to meet local transportation priorities that disproportionately get overlooked. Kea Wilson, June 2, 2025, Streetsblog USA Metro's policy to ban violent and sexual offenders begins June 2025 The purpose of the banning policy is to prohibit a person who commits a sex crime or a sex-related crime, anyone who violates Metro’s Passenger Conduct Rule, or a person who commits any assault on a Metro employee, contractor, or customer from entering or using the Metro system, properties, or facilities for more than 24 hours. June 1, 2025, WMATA WMATA customers can now 'Tap. Ride. Go.' with contactless credit, debit cards at Metrorail station faregates Physical and mobile SmarTrip cards will continue to be an option to pay for fares and parking. WMATA notes the Tap. Ride. Go. will be available for use on Metrobuses and at WMATA parking facilities in the future. May 30, 2025, Mass Transit Magazine Federal worker changes eyed for impact on local economy, transportation The uncertainty over federal jobs cuts has D.C.-area leaders scrambling to make sure people who have lost their jobs want to stay in the region. Adam Tuss, May 29, 2025, NBC4 Washington Empowering the next generation of transit riders Many transit agencies nationwide struggle to attract younger riders. With the continued decline in the number of teenagers getting their driver’s licenses, Hampton Roads Transit (HRT) sees opportunities to attract—and retain—the next generation of transit customers. Gus Maxwell, May 30, 2025, Mass Transit Magazine GOP proposed bill would change Metro to 'Trump Train' In a new bill, Florida Rep. Greg Steube proposed the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority, or WMATA, would no longer receive federal funds until it’s renamed to the “Washington Metropolitan Authority for Greater Access,” or WMAGA. It would also rebrand Metrorail as the “Trump Train.” Ciara Wells, May 29, 2025, WTOP How Metro just made it more convenient for Washington Capitals fans to get to games The new payment method will enable travelers to bypass fare machines and SmarTrip cards, although SmarTrip cards — both physical and mobile — will remain an option for paying fares and parking. Chris Cerullo, May 28, 2025, RMNB Walking and biking trail from Manassas to Alexandria? Officials commission study The city of Manassas has partnered with Manassas Park and Prince William County to commission a feasibility study that will determine the cost of setting a three-mile section of trail adjacent to the Virginia Railway Express’ Manassas line starting in the city’s downtown. Rick Horner, May 28, 2025, Inside NoVa Kiss SmarTrip cards goodbye with Metro's new 'Tap. Ride. Go.' feature Metro suggests tapping one specific card on the turnstile pad, rather than tapping an entire wallet, to ensure the intended card is used. Charges will show up on a credit card statement as Metro. Neal Augenstein, May 28, 2025, WTOP The budding expansion of OmniRide's microtransit in Prince William County OmniRide Connect, the brand given to the service’s microtransit branch, is available on the OmniRide Mobility mobile app alongside OmniRide Access, the organization’s paratransit arm. Sebastien Kraft, May 27, 2025, Inside NoVa WMATA unveils 'Project Connect' to transform North Bethesda Metro station In the reimagined station, there will be two public plazas and a new north end entrance. Plus, a new life sciences institute in partnership with the University of Maryland will go in above the station, among other additions. Sophie Rosenthal/Jacqueline Quynh, May 27, 2025, WUSA9 Mayor says D.C. Streetcar is going away, 'next generation streetcar' is coming The single D.C. Streetcar line, which runs from Union Station to the edge of the RFK Stadium site, took far longer to build than planned. A lack of separation from car traffic means double-parkers can block the tracks, making bus service more reliable. Rachel Weiner, May 27, 2025, The Washington Post Metro starts tap-to-pay contactless payment at stations You won’t need a SmarTrip card to ride on the Metro anymore. Starting Wednesday, riders can tap their phone or a physical credit or debit card to pay to get in the station. Joseph Olmo, May 28, 2025, NBC4 Washington