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Select D.C. area transit nearing pre-pandemic numbers

Metrorail ridership is reporting that service has returned to about 89% of where it was in March 2019; however, Metrobus ridership was about 2% higher in March of this year than March 2019.
Sarah Roderick-Fitch, April 29, 2025, The Rogersville Review

Two Alexandria transit services receive funding boost in proposed I-395/95 program

For Alexandria, the program proposes continued funding for two DASH routes: Line 35, connecting the city’s West End to the Pentagon, and Line 36, running between the Mark Center and Potomac Yard.
Ryan Belmore, April 30, 2025, ALXNow

VDOT begins work on shared-use paths for new Fair Oaks transit hub

The new path will extend along Post Forest Drive from west of Black Ironwood Drive to Random Hills Road before turning north along Random Hills up to the Monument Drive Transit Center — a transit hub for Fairfax Connector riders and other commuters that opened last year.
Vernon Miles, April 29, 2025, FFXNow

Are you ready for Bike Month 2025?

May is National Bike Month, so dust off your bikes, join in the celebrations, and embrace the joy of cycling! Whether you’re just getting started or a long-time rider, there are plenty of ways to get involved and show your support for a safer, more bike-friendly community.
April 29, 2025, Fairfax Alliance for Better Bicycling

Metro says it may launch civilian fare enforcement program

Clarke reported that crime was down by 65% across the metro system, which is the lowest it's been in the past seven years, and said fare evasion is also down by 80%.
Leslie Moreno, April 29, 2025, WUSA9

MARC can probably be electrified. It's easier than you think

With MARC’s shortest routes, this is even easier. Both the MARC Penn Line and Camden Line span about forty miles between Washington and Baltimore. While the Penn Line has existing Amtrak catenary wire, the Camden Line lacks any source of electric power. 
Michael Starnes, April 29, 2025, Greater Greater Washington

First responders share ideas at first Metro safety summit

Metro has invested in technology to constantly monitor the system and has been prioritizing enforcement efforts for issues like fare evasion. Soon, additional fare enforcement efforts could be coming with Metro civilian employees monitoring its stations.
Adam Tuss, April 29, 2025, NBC4 Washington

'What is absolutely needed?': RFK Stadium transportation options remain open

In an interview with WTOP, D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser said the current metro station served the original RFK Stadium in a more “car-centric” era. She noted that now, Washingtonians and visitors use light rail, bikeshare, scooters and more methods to get around.
Kate Ryan, April 29, 2025, WTOP

At least 19 Arlington bus stops are getting the ax this summer

About one-third of Metrobus routes “are really changing in name only,” Davis said. These are mostly routes with high-frequency service and significant ridership, like the 16A route along Columbia Pike.
Katie Taranto, April 29, 2025, ARLNow

Virginia begins construction on passenger rail extension

“Passenger rail creates greater potential for sustained economic growth, facilitates job creation and provides an efficient, affordable travel alternative to riding on the crowded interstate highway system,” said Rep. Morgan Griffith, a Republican, in a statement.
Dan Zukowski, April 28, 2025, Smart Cities Dive

More funding accepted to support Richmond Highway bus rapid transit

A study conducted by state transportation planners from 2013 to 2015 determined that BRT was the best option for the corridor. The Fairfax County board endorsed the concept in 2015.
Scott McCaffrey, April 28, 2025, FFXNow

USDOT guidance puts future road diet projects at risk

Some advocates fear that means the US DOT is essentially dropping all road diets from its signature safety program — and forfeiting one of its most important tools to slow down drivers and save lives in and out of automobiles.
Kea Wilson, April 28, 2025, Greater Greater Washington

Upgrades to ART bus safety and Arlington Blvd interchange included in funding proposal

Funding for better safety on Arlington buses, a new “microtransit” project and upgrades to a crash-prone intersection is included in a new state funding proposal.
Dan Egitto, April 28, 2025, ARLNow

WMATA officials reconsider second entrance for Foggy Bottom station

As the cherry blossoms were in an early stage of bloom on March 27, the station saw 20,527 riders — the highest weekday ridership since January 2020. Metro said the bus and rail system counted more than 1 million riders on March 28 for the first time since 2020. 
Bryson Kloesel, April 28, 2025, The GW Hatchet

Building a connected Fairfax and capital region

These projects bring us closer to realizing the full vision of a connected, safe, and accessible trail network. But we’re not done yet. Roughly 35 miles of planned trails in Fairfax County are still waiting for funding and implementation.
April 27, 2025, Fairfax Alliance for Better Bicycling

Why bike lanes are good: An explainer for the US Transportation Secretary

Data also shows that a sufficiently robust and safe bike lane network does encourage more people to ditch cars and use bikes instead. According to the article, “study after study shows that bike lanes do not make car congestion worse— and in some cases, especially in urban areas that place them strategically, they can actually make it better.”
Diana Ionescu, April 27, 2025, Planetizen

New parking garage at New Carrollton opens Sunday, bus loop and Kiss & Ride to relocate to garages

During the transition, customers may experience delays, congestion, and changes to travel patterns upon exiting. For your safety, please review and follow all posted signage and construction notices.
April 25, 2025, WMATA

Metro considers adding platform doors to stations to separate riders from tracks

Watch for the double (?) doors! Metro is considering adding platform doors to stations so riders can be separated from the Metrorail tracks. 
Joseph Olmo, April 24, 2025, NBC4 Washington

Metro says adding more bus lanes will improve safety and congestion on roads

Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) CEO Randy Clarke said adding more dedicated bus lanes would improve bus speeds, increase ridership and make the roads safer for everyone.
Leslie Moreno, April 24, 2025, WUSA9

Smarter transit, better service: How data is shaping daily operations

When transit agencies develop data-informed cultures of innovation using new technology, they can uncover patterns in ridership, economic activity and land use/development, helping to anticipate demand and optimize service delivery.
Joanna M. Pinkerton, April 25, 2025, Mass Transit Magazine

Water taxi service from Alexandria to Nationals Park resumes this week

The timing of this relaunch aligns with City Cruises’ new partnership with the Washington Nationals for the 2025 Major League Baseball (MLB) season. The Navy Yard Loop adds to City Cruises’ daily routes between The Wharf, Georgetown, Old Town Alexandria, and National Harbor.
April 25, 2025, ALXNow

Maryland commuter bus workers strike against contractor, suspending operations

About 120 transit workers went on strike against contractor Martz Gold Line Thursday morning, demanding higher wages after contract negotiations fell apart.
Darcy Spencer, April 24, 2025, NBC4 Washington

Metro's future: No rail expansion, more bus lanes

At a board meeting, Metro officials laid out the overall direction the transit agency should take in the coming years in a presentation titled, “World Class Transit.” They said rail construction has become too expensive in the U.S., and the transit system should use its capital funds on more cost-effective ways to improve service.
Jacob Kerr, April 24, 2025, WTOP

Agency envisions bus rapid transit along Columbia Pike and across the Potomac

A proposed map of possible BRT lines envisions two routes connecting Columbia Pike to Crystal City and D.C., and another route running east from Falls Church into Rosslyn, across the Potomac River and into Georgetown.
Dan Egitto/Scott McCaffrey, April 24, 2025, ARLNow

VRE ridership surges as Alexandria station upgrades planned

Virginia Railway Express (VRE) saw a jump of nearly 100,000 passengers in March 2025 compared to the same month last year, Vice Mayor Sarah Bagley reported at Alexandria City Council’s recent legislative meeting.
Ryan Belmore, April 23, 2025, ALXNow

Northern Virginia Transportation Authority unveils draft plan for Bus Rapid Transit system; it includes several Alexandria routes

The draft plan builds on existing BRT investments to create a comprehensive regional system providing fast, frequent, and reliable transit service. The goal is to improve all-day transit service, reduce congestion, and better connect key destinations throughout Northern Virginia and into Washington, D.C., and Maryland.
Ryan Belmore, April 23, 2025, ALXNow

This weekend: Buses replace trains between Medical Center and Grosvenor on Red Line; Silver Line runs to New Carrollton

On Saturday, April 26 and Sunday, April 27, free shuttle buses will replace trains between Medical Center and Grosvenor on the Red Line due to track work.
April 23, 2025, WMATA

Metro's $5.65B automation plan targets efficiency, safety amid fiscal challenges

Getting to that point on the entire Metrorail system would cost billions of dollars, but Metro says it would also make the system cheaper to run in the long run because increased efficiency would save money.
Miles Wilson, April 23, 2025, Greater Greater Washington

I adopted a Metro station. You can too

Tidying up the area around Metro stations is a way to not only keep litter out of the local environment and watershed, but also to improve the actual quality of daily commute for Metro riders. 
Andrew Hare, April 23, 2025, Greater Greater Washington

Even more automation could be coming to Metro, but with a hefty price tag

In a presentation to the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority board titled “World Class Transit,” Metro suggests increasing the automation of trains to the point where operators would be taken out of the control cabin and instead turned into train attendants.
Luke Lukert, April 23, 2025, WTOP