Regional Transit News

Service Alerts | ART News | Subscribe

Latest News

Metro encourages Green and Yellow line customers to plan ahead for May 1-9 track work

Metro is reminding Green and Yellow line customers to plan ahead for scheduled track work May 1-9 that will require free shuttle buses to replace trains at four stations over one weekend and the weeklong closure of West Hyattsville. The work will upgrade the interlocking system at Fort Totten, which allows trains to safely cross from one track to another.
April 14, 2021, WMATA

As Biden shifts infrastructure focus to climate and racial justice, cities and states alter pitches

Cities and states across the country are pitching new kinds of infrastructure projects and offering fresh assessments of existing proposals as they chase $2 billion in grant funding the Biden administration has tied to environmental and racial-justice goals.
Ian Duncan, April 15, 2021, Washington Post

Modern Mobility: Five ways to build back better

This is an opportunity to reset our priorities and “build back better” to a transportation system that is safe and sustainable.
Chris Slatt, April 14, 2021, ARLnow

7News asks Metro: What will you do to help people start commuting again?

7News On Your Side is asking Metro what it will do to help as more and more people begin commuting again, in some cases for the first time in more than a year.
Tom Roussey, April 14, 2021, ABC7

Science, environmental communites call on Biden, Congress to decarbonize transportation, power generation

President Biden recently unveiled his American Jobs Plan -- a two trillion-dollar package with significant investments in infrastructure, advanced technologies, and jobs that will reduce our global warming emissions.
Jonna Hamilton, April 14, 2021, UCS

Safety commission says 'urgency' needed from Metro in responding to incidents

A near collision, a runaway Metro train, trains running red signals, worker protection guideline violations — those are a few of the incidents the Washington Metrorail Safety Commission highlighted in its virtual April meeting Tuesday.
Bruce Alan, April 14, 2021, WTOP

Safety board official calls for 'holistic' Metro plan to address recurring issues

Members of the independent commission charged with monitoring Metro safety said the transit system is trending in the wrong direction when it comes to ensuring that trains stop for red signals and that proper protocols are followed to keep workers safe.
Justin George, April 13, 2021, Washington Post

Results of Arlington, Montgomery County collaboration on airplane noise

Local officials in Arlington and Montgomery counties continue their collaborative efforts following upticks in their communities' airplane noise complaints as aircraft approach and depart Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, DCA, located in Arlington County.
Mercia Hobson, April 14, 2021, Arlington Connection

Virginia public transit grapples with reduced ridership

Virginia public transit systems from Northern Virginia to Hampton Roads are hoping for a recovery after losing riders and revenue.
April 13, 2021, Arlington Patch

City looking for feedback on future of transit, traffic and overall transportation planning

An update to the Alexandria Mobility Plan could reshape some of the ways the city approaches transit, streets and more.
Vernon Miles, April 13, 2021, ALXnow

County seeking public input for improvement to portion of S. Eads St.

“We’re hoping to gather observations and experiences on how people use the street now across all modes, from biking and walking to taking transit and driving,” writes Eric Balliet, spokesperson for Arlington’s Dept. of Environmental Services, in an email to ARLnow.
Matt Blitz, April 13, 2021, ARLnow

Metro's secret 'near miss' of head-on crash in Nov.: Here's how it (almost) happened

For the first time Tuesday details became public of an incident in which two Metro trains with passengers had a “near miss” of a head on collision during single tracking.
Tom Roussey, April 13, 2021, ABC7

White House says gas tax won't be part of infrastructure bill

The White House said Tuesday that raising the federal gasoline tax is not being considered as part of President Biden’s infrastructure package.
Alex Gangitano, April 13, 2021, The Hill

Brown, Hucker say more transit needed for Beltway expansion

U.S. Rep. Anthony Brown and Montgomery County Council President Tom Hucker on Monday called for the state to consider more transit options for the Capital Beltway expansion project.
Briana Adhikusuma, April 13, 2021, Bethesda Magazine

Bullet strikes 7-Eleven door near Braddock Road Metro station

Alexandria Police are investigating a bullet that struck the door of a 7-Eleven near the Braddock Road Metro station.
James Cullum, April 13, 2021, ALXnow

President Biden's infrastructure plan could improve I-495, mass transit in Montgomery Co.

If approved by Congress, some of that money would enhance bus rapid transit lines, The Baltimore-Washington Parkway, and I-495.
Kevin Lewis, April 12, 2021, ABC7

Pre-2012 SmarTrip cards to be phased out by Metro

Metro will install new faregates where SmarTrip cards made before 2012 won't be compatible.
Emily Leayman, April 12, 2021, Vienna Patch

Runaway train on Metro's Red Line went unreported for weeks

After an empty runaway train on the Red Line went unreported to managers, Metro’s general manager is changing the rules on what incidents require an emergency response.
Megan Cloherty, April 12, 2021, WTOP

Montgomery County Seeks $3.3B In Funding For Transit, Pedestrian Projects As Part Of Proposed Infrastructure Bill

Montgomery County is outlining $3.3 billion in local transportation priorities as Congress begins a critical period of negotiations on President Joe Biden’s major infrastructure bill.
Jordan Pascale, April 12, 2021, dcist

White House issuing reports on states' infrastructure needs

The Biden White House is amplifying the push for its $2.3 trillion infrastructure package with the release of state-by-state breakdowns that show the dire shape of roads, bridges, the power grid and housing affordability.
April 12, 2021, WTOP

VDOT wants your thoughts on improvements at I-95 and Va. 123

VDOT’s study is looking into modifications and relocation of traffic signals, lane extensions, ramp reconfiguration and managing access, and pedestrian, bicycle and transit enhancements, to improve traffic flow and safety.
Will Vitka, April 12, 2021, WTOP

Advocates optimistic Biden infrastructure plan is a step toward sustainability

Environmental advocates are hopeful that parts of the White House’s multitrillion-dollar infrastructure package’s sustainability measures can gain traction with lawmakers in Congress despite GOP claims that they fall outside the definition of infrastructure.
Zack Budryk, April 12, 2021, The Hill

Review prompts Metro to make emergency response program changes

Metro will update its safety and emergency protocols following a March incident in D.C. involving a mechanical issue that left passengers stranded for over an hour on its rail system.
Acacia James, April 11, 2021, WTOP

Metro finds several safety missteps in disabled train investigation

Metro on Saturday required its employees to trigger a full emergency response whenever a passenger train, bus or MetroAccess car breaks down in lieu of several safety and reporting failures that officials said occurred last month, including an unreported runaway train.
Justin George, April 10, 2021, Washington Post

WMATA Board Finance and Capital Committee approves budget that maintains service improvements to support regional recovery

Capital investments will continue safety and state of good repair rehabilitation.
April 9, 2021, Mass Transit

DJ Stadtler to lead VPRA as executive director

Stadtler is a known leader among rail professionals and will work to deliver $3.7 billion in rail improvements throughout Virginia.
Mischa Wanek-Libman, April 9, 2021, Mass Transit

White's Ferry owners to seek eminent domain in dispute with landowners

The new owners of White’s Ferry are seeking to have county and state leaders exercise eminent domain, which would give control of the landing to the respective governments and allow for the resumption of ferry operation.
Nathaniel Cline, April 9, 2021, Loudoun Times-Mirror

Metro phasing out older SmarTrip cards as part of upgrades to fare payment

Metro is phasing out older cards as part of upgrades to fare gates and fare payment technology.
Abigail Constantino, April 10, 2021, WTOP

If you have a SmarTrip card from before 2012, you'll need to replace it soon

If you’ve managed to hold on to your same Metro card for more than nine years: 1. congrats, and 2. sorry to break the news, but it’s going to be obsolete soon.
Jordan Pascale, April 9, 2021, dcist

Metro committee approves proposed budget that maintains current service levels, delays Silver Line Phase 2

If Metro’s board of directors adopts the proposed Fiscal Year 2022 approved by its finance and capital committee yesterday (Thursday), the start of service on the second phase of the Silver Line will officially be delayed until next year.
Angela Woolsey, April 9, 2021, Reston Now