News & Events
Stay informed with transportation news and get inspired with stories about living and working car-free and car-light.
Latest News
- Let your voice be heard: Vote on the exterior design for Metro's new 8000-series rail fleet??
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The designs are part of a broader branding refresh that includes refined Metro logos and illustrations that reflect our heritage. With this final step in the process, customers will see a revamped color scheme in a warm palette that?embraces modern design principles and pays homage to the standards set by Metro’s founding designers.
August 18, 2025, WMATA - What is happening with the Spring Street Bridge and Bethesda Purple Line station?
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When completed, the 16-mile Purple Line will have 21 stations and connect riders to the Metro’s Red, Green and Orange lines as well as to MARC and Amtrak trains and bus services.
Elia Griffin, August 15, 2025, Bethesda Today - Speak up for safer streets: Tell USDOT what Fairfax needs
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The U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) is asking for public feedback on the next surface transportation reauthorization bill—a law that will shape federal funding and priorities through 2031. Every American is invited to weigh in, and comments are due by August 20.
August 16, 2025, Fairfax Alliance for Better Bicycling - Micromobility report shows rising demand, funding and equity models in North America
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Shared micromobility across North America reached a new milestone in 2024, with 225 million trips taken – a 31 percent increase on the previous year.
William Thorpe, August 16, 2025, Cities Today - VRE Advances station upgrades in Manassas Park, completes Spotsylvania property transfer
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A ribbon-cutting for the improved lot is tentatively planned for October 21, 2025, though the date could change. The board also recommended approval of an agreement with Virginia Electric and Power Company to relocate power facilities that cross the station property.
Uriah Kiser, August 17, 2025, Potomac Local News - Goodbye Van Ness Kiss and Ride, and a few other WMATA Better Bus updates
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Well before WMATA rolled out the new Better Bus system on June 29th, we knew that the old, familiar lines like the L2 and the 30s buses would be remade and renamed. What we did not realize is that the new system would mean the end of the Van Ness Metro Kiss and Ride.
August 15, 2025, Forest Hill Connection - Public transit funding and the road not yet taken
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In the days before both chambers convened to approve their respective solutions, Republican Sen. Gene Yaw, of Williamsport, and Democratic Sen. Anthony Williams, of Philadelphia, suggested solving two problems at once: collect a $500 monthly fee from unregulated skill game terminals and use it to pay for increased public transit support.
Christen Smith, August 14, 2025, The Washington Examiner - We don't need flying cars – we just need transit that works
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The newest survey from Diffusion, fielded by Censuswide, shows that reliability and efficiency (42%), decongestion (27%) and accessibility (26%) are the top requests from transit riders over a flying car.
Tory Patrick, August 15, 2025, Mass Transit Magazine - Moving to a walkable city can add more than 1,000 steps to your day: Study
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Using smartphone step counts and the Walk Score system, which rates locations from 0 to 100 based on access to amenities like stores, parks and schools, they found that moving from a low-walkability city (48 or less) to a high-walkability one (75 or more) added an average of 1,100 steps a day.
Dr. Ashish Bibireddy, August 13, 2025, ABC News - Ambitious MTA plan would get Baltimore students to class, advocates tell Moore
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An organization that advocates for public city schools students is calling on Gov. Wes Moore to fund a recently released vision plan to expand Maryland Transit Administration bus service, citing “significant positive impacts for students.”
Daniel Zawodny, August 13, 2025, The Baltimore Banner - Maryland Governor announces transit-centered development at Bowie State University
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Located immediately west of the Bowie State MARC Station train tracks, the agency says the 4.6-acre state-owned site represents an opportunity to create a vibrant, mixed-use community centered on public transit, as well as the growing Bowie State University campus.
August 13, 2025, Mass Transit Magazine - The only surviving 611 steam locomotive returns to the tracks this fall in Virginia
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That's after the "Shenandoah Valley Limited" is coming back to the tracks for another year. The iconic Norfolk & Western Class J#611 steam locomotive will be carrying passengers on a 60-mile path beginning and ending in Goshen. Tickets for the experience are on sale now.
Robert Locklear, August 13, 2025, ABC7 News - King Street ranks 53rd on 'Top 100 Best Main Streets in US to Walk' list
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With pedestrian-only blocks near the Potomac River to local businesses along picturesque red brick sidewalks, King Street in Old Town was just listed as one of the top 100 main streets to walk in the United States.
James Cullum, August 13, 2025, ALXNow - New Arlington program offers vouchers for e-bikes worth up to $1,650
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“This program supports the County’s Community Energy Plan (CEP) by incentivizing residents to adopt lower-emissions transportation options and reduce travel via single-occupancy vehicles,” a county webpage says.
Vernon Miles, August 13, 2025, ARLNow - MDOT's Purple Line grant program awards small businesses $500,000
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The program awarded more than 40 small businesses along the Purple Line grants between $5,000 and $40,000 to assist in sustaining operations and preserving jobs during the project’s construction.
Elizabeth Polo, August 12, 2025, ABC7 News - No desire for streetcars: a transit mode falls out of favor
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Ridership on the 2.2-mile line peaked in the first years of service but was never as high as hoped for. Despite gradually growing since a pandemic-era drop-off, city officials have said switching to bus operations will allow for a more “nimble” and less costly expansion of the service.
Jared Brey, August 12, 2025, Governing - Record growth for shared micromobility in North America
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North American ridership on shared micromobility devices in 2024 was up 31 percent — 32 percent in the United States — above 2023 levels, according to the sixth annual Shared Micromobility State of the Industry Report by the North American Bikeshare and Scootershare Association (NABSA).
Skip Descant, August 11, 2025, Government Technology - Is U.S. passenger rail having a big moment?
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We brought in an expert to unpack some of the biggest rail headlines of the day — and a few you might have missed.
August 12, 2025, Streetsblog USA - Amtrak adds new boarding platform at Washington Union Station
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The new track will primarily serve Virginia Railway Express (VRE) trains, as well as Amtrak Long Distance and Amtrak Virginia trains. The new platform is located on the lower level of Union Station and previously served as a storage track, officials said.
Liz Carey, August 11, 2025, Transportation Today - New food disposal bins installed at Metro stations and in Pentagon City
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Between the initiative’s start in July 2024 and early May, more than 89,000 pounds of food material was placed in the bins. More than 2,000 people are participating in the app-driven initiative.
Dan Egitto, August 11, 2025, ARLNow - Amtrak Virginia ridership increased exponentially this year. But is future growth in jeopardy?
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Current projects that have already been approved, such as the Long Bridge Project, which will create two new track railroad bridges over the Potomac River from Alexandria into D.C., have not been affected by federal budget cuts.
Diana Ionescu, August 10, 2025, Planetizen - OmniRide launches route revisions, new times and frequencies on bus services
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Notably, buses on the Local Woodbridge (93) route will go around Chinn Center and Potomac Mills Mall, with a new stop added on Prince William Parkway & Church Hill. The Prince William Senior Center bus stop was discontinued, officials said.
August 10, 2025, ABC7 News - Capital Bikeshare expands to Herndon area, Huntington Metro station
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Installations in the Innovation Center area began earlier this month, and all six stations are expected to be in place by early next week, according to the Fairfax County Department of Transportation. Four stations will then be added in Huntington.
Angela Woolsey, August 8, 2025, FFXNow - Metro's Green Line closures expand north, closing 5 total stations for 2 weekends
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The two new station closures, Southern Ave. and Congress Heights, are only for two weekends: Aug. 9-10 and Aug. 16-17. The other three stations are closed all month long.
Freixys Casado/Maggie More, August 9, 2025, NBC4 Washington - Purple Line railcars testing in Maryland
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Construction has been ongoing for years, but the light rail is expected to open in 2027 and run between New Carrollton and Bethesda.
Adam Tuss, August 7, 2025, NBC4 Washington - Amtrak to enhance service, rider experience on Northeast Corridor
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Amtrak notes the new NextGen Acela trains feature free, high-speed 5G-enabled Wi-Fi, as well as individual power outlets and reading lights. Five new trainsets will be in service initially.
Brandon Lewis, August 8, 2025, Mass Transit Magazine - Is Better Bus ... better?
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The 51st heard about how it’s going from more than 30 bus riders who shared their experiences with the new system. The verdict? Well, it’s mixed. While some commuters say they’ve benefited from new connections and more frequent service, others say the overhaul has involved more confusion than clarity.
Jazmyn Gray, August 7, 2025, The 51st - Amtrak Virginia ridership increased exponentially this year. But is future growth in jeopardy?
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Current projects that have already been approved, such as the Long Bridge Project, which will create two new track railroad bridges over the Potomac River from Alexandria into D.C., have not been affected by federal budget cuts, said Gerica Goodman, director of external affairs at the Virginia Passenger Rail Authority.
Ian Stewart, August 7, 2025, ALXNow - How to gear up for your fall bike commute
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The only must-haves for a cycling commute are a bike and a place you feel safe riding — but a few accessories don't hurt, either.
August 8, 2025, Streetsblog USA - Amtrak's new Acela trains hit the rails Aug. 28
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The roomier passenger cars include more leg room and larger tray tables in both classes. Seats include USB ports, adjustable reading lights and cars have streamlined overhead luggage compartments. The cafe cars have self-select and check-out options.
Jeff Clabaugh, August 7, 2025, WTOP