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News Articles July 2007 - June 2008 Metro Won't Raise Fee To Park-With More Riders, Agency's Financial Squeeze Has Eased Tuesday, May 6, 2008; By Lena H. Sun Washington Post A Metro fare and fee increase instituted in January has raised enough money that the agency staff will not recommend that parking fees rise again in July, officials said yesterday. Read More...
Telework options slowly pick up steam in region Friday, May 2, 2008 - by Joe Coombs Washington Business Journal - When Uncle Sam asked William Mularie in 2002 to gauge the benefits of, and barriers to, working from home, old-school managerial philosophies and limited technology were by far the biggest obstacles he found. Read More...
Little Relief For Choked Secondary Roads in Va. Monday, May 5, 2008; By Eric M. Weiss Washington Post Winding, shoulderless Rolling Road looks like a two-lane country road. But the Newington street has become a major artery, connecting Interstate 95, Route 1, the Fairfax County Parkway and what will soon be a much larger Fort Belvoir. Read More...
Gas crunch forces drivers to think outside the box May 5, 2008 by Hannah Hager @ Clarke Times-Courier Driving east over the mountain can be such a pain for Clarke drivers. And the drive is only getting worse with rising gas prices. Read More..
Metro hopes to avoid parking fee increase May 5, 2008 WASHINGTON (AP) - Metro officials hope to avoid raising parking fees by an additional 25 cents this summer. According to a report prepared by transit agency officials, a January fare increase has generated enough money so far that an additional price increase won't be necessary. Read More...
Fairfax Officials eye bus shelter ads for revenue May 3, 2008 3:00 AM by William C. Flook, The Examiner Virginia (Map, News) - Fairfax County officials want to sell advertisements in more than 100 bus shelters throughout the county in the hopes of raising funds to support the local transit system. Read More...
Dulles Rail Still Has Miles to Go, Hurdles to Clear Friday, May 2, 2008; By Amy Gardner and Lena H. Sun As business and political leaders celebrate the revival of the proposal to extend Metrorail to Dulles International Airport, those responsible for building, operating and paying for the new line face a cold reality: The project could still fail.
Proposed Extension To Dulles Revived Thursday, May 1, 2008; By Amy Gardner Washington Post Federal transportation officials revived a long-sought Metrorail extension to Dulles International Airport yesterday, but they attached daunting conditions, including a demand for a major influx of cash into the Metro system. Read More...
DC Panel Rejects Plan to Reopen Road in Rock Creek Park Thursday, May 1, 2008; By Nikita Stewart Washington Post Renewed hopes to reopen Klingle Road, an east-west route through Rock Creek Park that was closed 17 years ago amid contentious debate, appeared to come to a dead end yesterday. Read More... New tool will 'enhance' pedestrian safety in D.C. April 29, 2008 by Adam Tuss, WTOP Radio WASHINGTON - Pedestrians in the District now have a new flashing, talking friend on their side. WTOP has learned a new crosswalk device, dubbed "The Enhancer," is up and activated at the intersection of 13th Street and Brentwood Road in Northeast. Read More... Traffic congestion in area seen rising 50 percent in 25-30 years
Two Va. Corridors Vie For More Train Service Saturday, April 26, 2008; By Michael Laris Washington Post An Amtrak proposal to add a single train from either Lynchburg or Newport News to Union Station has spurred a competition between the two slices of Virginia and pointed to severe limits on state and federal transportation funding. Read More...
SmartBike pedaling starter service April 26, 2008 By Sarah Karush Need to get to a meeting on the Hill? Lunch on K Street? Drinks in Georgetown? More Washingtonians could be pedaling to those appointments when the city launches the nation's first European-style bike-sharing service next month. Read More...
Ride-sharing options include a guaranteed ride home In his recent column ["Saving gas with transit vs. car's convenience a balancing act," April 6], Michael Kole related information regarding various transit and ride-sharing options for commuters. Read More...
Walkers, Beware: Urbanization of Rural Areas Is Linked to Pedestrian Perils Thursday, April 24, By Daniela Deane Washington Post Fairfax, Prince George's and Prince William counties are the most dangerous places for pedestrians in the Washington region, according to a study released yesterday. Read More...
Metro testing rubber, stone floors to replace carpeting in railcars Apr 23, 2008 by Taryn Luntz, The Examiner WASHINGTON (Map, News) - Metro is testing four types of rubber and stone railcar floors as the transit agency moves away from using carpeting, which officials say is expensive and difficult to maintain. Read More...
Cabbies Told to Install Meters by May 1 Wednesday, April 23, 2008; by David Nakamura and Robert E. Pierre The city expects taxicab drivers to install meters by May 1, said D.C. Mayor Adrian M. Fenty, but it will waive the $1,000 fine for driving without a meter during a one-month grace period. Read More...
How far is too far to drive for cheaper gas? April 22, 2008 Adam Tuss, WTOP Radio WASHINGTON -- How far would you be willing to drive for a good deal on gas? With a gallon of regular going for $3.51 on average in the D.C. region, getting 30, 40, even 50 cents off at a gas station miles away could motivate you. Read More...
Ridership still climbs after Metro fare hike Apr 22, 2008 by Taryn Luntz, The Examiner WASHINGTON (Map, News) - Metro’s weekday ridership, three months after its fare increase, is still up slightly from last year, but far below the surprising 6 percent jump the agency saw in January and February. Read More...
Parking zones at Columbia Heights Mall an 'asset' April 21, 2008 By Kimberly Kweder
City wins taxi meter dispute April 21, 2008 Mark Segraves, WTOP Radio WASHINGTON - A judge cleared the way for meters in all taxi cabs in D.C., but the ruling issued Monday will be appealed. William Wright Jr., one of the members of the Taxi Cab Drivers Coalition that sued the city, tells WTOP the judge's ruling "surprised" him. Read More...
Arlington County approves first transportation tax hike in VA April 21, 2008 WASHINGTON -- Arlington County became the first in the region to impose a commercial tax for transportation improvement Saturday in a move likely to be considered by nine other jurisdictions in Northern Virginia. Read More...
DC Council weighs taxing free employee parking WASHINGTON (Map, News) - The D.C. Council is considering a tax on private employee parking spaces, a measure that could cost businesses tens of millions of dollars and lead to a fee for drivers who now park for free. Read More... MPD, HSEMS and DDOT Announce Road Closures and Restriction Information for the Papal Visit April 15 - 18, 2008
Road Closures For Papal Visit WASHINGTON, DC (DCDOT) - The DC Metropolitan Police Department, Homeland Security Emergency Management Agency and the District Department of Transportation announce the following road closures and general restriction information with regard to the visit by Pope Benedict XVI. Read More...
Metro's elevator, escalator performance improves Apr 8, 2008 WASHINGTON (Map, News) - Metro is improving the reliability of its elevators and escalators. Statistics from the transit agency show that more than 95 percent of Metro's 588 escalators were available in January. That's up from about 88 percent in July 2006. Read More...
Facilitating Commuter Connections in Loudooun County Thursday, April 3, 2008 Your tax dollars are hard at work in all sorts of ways, both mundane and unexpected. In this occasional Page Three feature, public servants talk about what they do to make your life better. Read More...
Metro alters maintenance policy to relieve Red Line riders Mar 31, 2008 by Taryn Luntz, The Examiner WASHINGTON (Map, News) - Metro is adjusting its track maintenance policy to ensure that no line is overburdened with weekend delays after a series of projects frustrated Red Line riders for 11 straight weekends. Read More...
Oldest Metro railcars’ floors cracking; officials say wear poses no risk to riders Mar 28, 2008 by Taryn Luntz, The Examiner WASHINGTON (Map, News) - Metro’s oldest railcars have become so worn, their aluminum floors are cracking. Read More...
Metro to Lease Parking Spots to Nationals Friday, March 28, By Lena H. Sun The Metro board agreed yesterday to lease the transit agency's bus garage and adjoining parking lot near the new baseball stadium to the Washington Nationals to provide 310 parking spaces for ticket holders and attendees at other stadium events. The garage and lot are a block from the stadium in an area under-served by parking. Read More...
Catoe Outlines Metro’s Service Goals Friday, March 28, By Lena H. Sun Washington Post Metro leaders agreed yesterday to an ambitious plan spelling out goals that, if met, would mean improved bus, rail and MetroAccess service this year. Read More...
Free Troley Service Comes to Old Town Alexandria in April March 26, 2008 ALEXANDRIA, Va. -- City leaders are testing a new trolley service designed to bring more tourism to Old Town Alexandria. The King Street Trolley is set to begin operating April 1. It will run between the King Street Metro station and Alexandria's waterfront every 15 minutes, seven days a week between 10 a.m. and 10 p.m. Read More...
Cash-Strapped Metro Needs Millons for Repairs Thursday, March 27, 2008; By Lena H. Sun Washington Post Worn track fasteners. Crumbling concrete platforms. Corroded traction power cables. Read More...
Bill to refund road fees, taxes signed in Northern Virginia March 25, 2008 RICHMOND (AP) — Refunds of taxes and fees collected unconstitutionally for Northern Virginia road projects are on their way back to those who paid them. Read More...
Reagan National to add 1,400 parking spaces Mar 25, 2008 by Taryn Luntz, The Examiner WASHINGTON (Map, News) - Construction is under way to add more than 1,400 parking spots at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport to keep pace with the airport’s swelling number of passengers. Read More...
Md. House Passes Measure To Study Quiet Cars ANNAPOLIS, Md. -- The Maryland House of Delegates has approved a bill to study whether quiet hybrid vehicles should be louder so that they don't pose a threat to blind pedestrians. Read More...
Nats Want What Metro Has – Parking March 25, 2008 by Adam Tuss, WTOP Radio WASHINGTON -- Metro has it. The Nationals want it -- parking near the new ballpark in Southeast. Metro's Board of Directors will decide this week whether to lease the transit agency's bus garage and adjoining lot to the Nats. Read More...
Congress Members Urge Putting D.C. Bus Terminal at Union Station March 22, 2008 WASHINGTON (AP) - Some members of Congress want to see intercity bus services at Union Station. D.C.'s current bus terminal is several blocks from the station, which is used by Amtrak and commuter rail lines Read More...
New Ideas for Blossoms' Bottleneck Monday, March 24, 2008; by Petula Dvorak Washington Post Ah, the cherry blossoms: fluffy, pink flowers, picnics under the pastel tree canopy, fisticuffs in the parking lot. Read More...
VDOT Plan to Reduce Route 1 Speed Limit On Hold March 24, 2008 FAIRFAX, Va. (AP) - Virginia transportation officials are delaying a plan to reduce the speed limit on a portion of Route 1 in Fairfax County. The postponement was granted after two county supervisors complained that the decision was made without consulting local authorities. Read More...
Metro to Run Later, Add Trains For NCAA Games March 19, 2008 by Darci Marchese, WTOP Radio WASHINGTON - Metro is gearing up for March madness. The subway will stay open until 1 a.m. Friday, March 21 to handle the crowds going to the 7:10 p.m. NCAA game at Verizon Center on Thursday, March 20. Metro plans to have additional trains running at the Gallery Place/Chinatown station after the first, third and fourth games on March 20. Read More...
Metro to Run Later, Add Trains For NCAA Games Mar 19, 2008 by Taryn Luntz, The Examiner WASHINGTON (Map, News) - Red Line riders who have been stymied by lengthy weekend service delays over the past two months will get a temporary reprieve — thanks to the Washington Nationals. Read More...
Classic Metro features disappear as transit system updates style Mar 18, 2008 by Taryn Luntz, The Examiner WASHINGTON (Map, News) - Love them or hate them, some of the signature features that have made Metro feel like Metro since the rail line’s early days are slowly disappearing. Read More...
Va. Extends HOV Exemption For Hybrids March 18, 2008 ; By Adam Tuss, WTOP Radio WASHINGTON - If you own a hybrid and live in Virginia, you just got a break. Gov. Tim Kaine extended the hybrid exemption for High Occupancy Vehicle lanes. Read More... Public Hearings To Be Held On Metrobus Route Changes WASHINGTON -- Metro has scheduled two public hearings this week on a plan to overhaul its most widely used bus line. The proposed changes to the 30s line call for adding express routes and shorter neighborhood routes that serve specific areas. Some routes would be eliminated. Read More...
Letting the Market Drive Transportation Monday, March 17, 2008; By Lyndsey Layton and Spencer S. Hsu Washington Post It took a few moments for Tyler Duvall, the top policymaker at the Department of Transportation, to digest the news from the Hill. But when he realized what it meant, he was stunned. Read More... Report Suggests New Tolls For Region-Plan Could Produce $2.75 Billion Yearly For Roads, Transit Monday, March 17, 2008 By Eric M. Weiss Washington Post Regional transportation and political leaders are increasingly coming to the conclusion that the only way to keep the chronically congested Washington region moving is tolls, and plenty of them. Read More...
System Would Allow Use of All Cellphones Thursday, March 13, By Lena H. Su Washington Post Staff Metro is taking the first step toward building a new wireless system that would let all riders talk on their cellphones while riding the subway after years of customer complaints that only Verizon users can get reception underground. Read More...
Shuttle to New Stadium May Make Pit Stop March 13, 2008 Adam Tuss, WTOP Radio WASHINGTON -- As the Nationals continue to work out in Florida, you may be working out your transportation plans to the new ballpark in Southeast. WTOP has learned one potential option for getting to the game may be changing. That free, express shuttle bus, which would run from RFK stadium to the new stadium, may make a pit stop. Read More...
Suburbia's Sidewalk Squabbles Wednesday, March 12, 2008; By Steve Hendrix Washington Post Not in my front yard. That's the fresh twist on an old cry often heard by Montgomery County officials as they work to squeeze sidewalks onto suburban streets. Read More...
Metro finds flaw in hybrid buses Mar 12, 2008 by Taryn Luntz, The Examiner WASHINGTON (Map, News) - Metro's entire fleet of hybrid buses has faulty engines that sometimes fail to start. “It started at the beginning of their service life, but it has really manifested itself across the fleet in the last six to eight months,” said Phil Wallace, Metro's general superintendent for bus maintenance and engineering. “In the last three months, we put our finger on it.” Read More...
Metrorail to add new train for expected Nats crunch Mar 11, 2008 by Taryn Luntz, The Examiner WASHINGTON (Map, News) - Metro is adding a new six-car train to the Green Line to handle the rush of travelers expected to flood the line before and after Washington Nationals games, officials said. Read More...
Metro’s On-Time Performance Improves March 10, 2008 WASHINGTON (AP) - Records show that Metro's rush-hour trains ran on schedule more than 90 percent of the time in January. That's the transit agency's best performance since December 2006. Read More...
Virginia Tries to Pay Back Transportation Taxes By Seth McLaughlin March 6, 2008 RICHMOND — State and local officials today will start trying to figure out how to refund $8.3 million in tax money collected by the Northern Virginia Transportation Authority (NVTA). Read More...
NVTA Preparing Refunds for Unconstitutional Taxes Mar 5, 2008 by Dan Genz, The Examiner WASHINGTON (Map, News) - The Northern Virginia Transportation Authority is preparing to refund the millions of dollars of unconstitutional taxes it has collected since Jan. 1 and has halted tax collections. Read More...
Study: Car Crashes Costs Billions March 5, 2008 By KEN THOMAS
Metro ridership grows despite fare increase Mar 5, 2008 WASHINGTON , Metro Ridership WASHINGTON (Map, News) - The biggest fare increase in Metro's history isn't deterring passengers. The transit agency says weekday Metrorail ridership rose more than 6 percent in February over the same month one year ago. Metro also saw a 6 percent increase in January ridership. Read More...
Metro to gauge progress by using ‘secret shoppers’ Feb 29, 2008 by Taryn Luntz, The Examiner WASHINGTON (Map, News) - Metro Board Chairman Chris Zimmerman said Thursday that Metro this year will employ “secret shoppers” to gauge the agency’s progress toward meeting its goals of improved service reliability and customer communications. Read More...
District to Limit Parking Near New Ballpark Washington Post Thursday, February 28, 2008; By Daniel LeDuc The District plans to limit parking on some side streets near the soon-to-open Nationals ballpark to encourage baseball fans to take Metro, under a new parking and transportation plan announced yesterday. Read More...
Metro Turns to Consultant for Help Improving Service February 27, 2008 Adam Tuss, WTOP Radio WASHINGTON -- Metro is used to riders complaining about the system's performance. Now the transit agency wants to pay for that kind of feedback from a consultant. Read More... Metro allocates $1.5M to improve SmarTrip service Feb 27, 2008 by Taryn Luntz, The Examiner WASHINGTON (Map, News) - Metro is allocating $1.5 million toward SmarTrip customer service improvements as calls to the agency's customer service center have spiked to as many as 2,000 a day since the January fare increase. Read More...
Region works to increase safety for all foreign-born pedestrians Feb 25, 2008 by Kathleen Miller, The Examiner WASHINGTON (Map, News) - As the Washington region sees an influx of foreign-born residents, local government leaders and police officers are struggling to curtail a wave of pedestrians being killed in traffic accidents. Read More... Does Annapolis Need Commuter Train Service? February 25, 2008 ANNAPOLIS, Md. (AP) - Does Annapolis need commuter train service? Maryland legislators will start work this week on a bill setting up a study on extending rail service to Annapolis. Currently, Maryland's capital city has no passenger rail service. Read More... D.C.'s Parking Enforcers Are Testing High-Tech Gizmos To Identify Scofflaws and Free Up Spaces for Shoppers Washington Post Tuesday, February 19, 2008 ;By Michael E. Ruane Beware, all you parking meter feeders and restricted zone overtimers. Take heed, you who are weighed down with quarters or hoping the parking enforcement officer is working a distant neighborhood. Read More... Picturing More Revenue, Reliability Washington Post Staff Writer Friday, February 15, 2008; By Lena H. Sun Metro plans to install large flat-screen video monitors to carry system information and advertising in rail cars, train stations, buses and bus shelters in an effort to improve customer communication and earn much-needed revenue, officials said yesterday. Read More... MTA to Replace Old Buses With Hybrids February 15, 2008 BALTIMORE (AP) - The Maryland Transit Administration is looking to replace some of its aging buses with 30 fuel-saving, diesel hybrid buses. If the state Board of Public Works approves the purchase, 80 percent of the $26 million price tag would be covered by federal funds. Read More... Transit agency tax projections to drop dramatically Feb 15, 2008 3:00 AM by Dan Genz, The Examiner WASHINGTON (Map, News) - The Northern Virginia Transportation Authority is expected to slash its revenue estimates for seven new taxes and fees because of the region’s economic downturn. Read More... 2nd Cab Strike Tied to Fare Shift Washington Post Staff Writer Friday, February 15, 2008; By Sue Anne Pressley Montes A group of D.C. taxi drivers staged its second strike in as many weeks yesterday, in a continuing effort to force Mayor Adrian M. Fenty to reconsider his decision to switch from zoned to metered cab fares. Read More... One-third of roads in Montgomery in poor condition, study reveals Feb 15, 2008 by Kathleen Miller, The Examiner WASHINGTON (Map, News) - A recent study from Montgomery County found one-third of the county's residential roads are in poor or very poor condition. Read More... Metro Seeks Changes to Busy Bus Routes Washington Post Staff Writer By Lena H Sun. Thursday, February 14, 2008; Metro is planning to improve bus service on its highest ridership line, which carries 20,000 daily riders along the major east-west route in the District, by shortening some long routes and adding two rush-hour express services that officials say will reduce commute times for thousands of riders. Read More... One-Third of Montgomery Co.'s Roads in Bad Shape Adam Tuss, WTOP Radio February 14, 2008 ROCKVILLE, Md. -- Potholes and bumpy roads are nothing new around the D.C. region. But the streets in Montgomery County are taking a real beating. A report by Montgomery County's Department of Public Works and Transportation says more than one-third of the county's residential roads are in poor or very poor condition. The county has 1,425 miles of roadways. Read More... Chaos on the Springfield Interchange
Metro to vote on Verizon pact to control rail’s fiber optic cables Metro Explores Rerouting Blue Line Washington Post By Lena H.Sun Tuesday, February 12, 2008; Metro is considering rerouting some Blue Line trains between Virginia and the District during weekday rush periods by having them cross the Potomac River on the Yellow Line bridge near the Pentagon, rather than follow the current longer path through a tunnel near Rosslyn, the system's biggest chokepoint, officials said yesterday. Read More... America’s Killer Commute Colin Deaso, 30, travels more than an hour each way from his home in Sterling, Va., to his financial-services job in Washington, D.C. Though he has a newborn baby at home and is needed there, he schedules his drive around commute traffic. He leaves the house at 6:30 a.m.; in the evening, he waits until he thinks traffic has cleared, getting home by about 7 p.m. Read More... Car-Free Diet: Shed Traffic, Fatten Wallet Washington Post By Mark Berman Thursday, February 7, 2008; Kate Heffley was five months from finishing graduate school when she made a momentous decision: She was going to get rid of her car. Read More... D.C. Taxi Drivers Strike By Sue Anne Pressley Montes and Petula Dvorak Washington Post Staff Writers D.C. cabdrivers upset about the impending switch from zones to meters yesterday launched the first in what might be a series of weekly strikes aimed at getting the attention of Mayor Adrian M. Fenty and the riding public. Read More... District hits streets with new bicycle rental program Friday, January 25, 2008 Washington Business Journal - by Vandana Sinha D.C. transportation officials are debuting this spring a high-tech commuting option that would return people to the transit of yore, while cutting the number of wheels on the city's gridlocked roads in half. Read More... Metro’s weekday ridership climbs in first weeks of year Jan 29, 2008 3:00 AM by Taryn Luntz, The Examiner WASHINGTON (Map, News) - Metro’s weekday ridership numbers for the first three weeks of January rose more than 3 percent over ridership for the same time last year, an early sign that the biggest fare increase in the agency’s history might not lead customers to abandon the transit system. Read More... Senate Tentatively Votes To End Bad-Driving Fees in Virginia Washington Post Saturday, January 26, 2008; RICHMOND, Jan. 25 -- The Virginia Senate took a major step Friday toward eliminating the unpopular abusive-driving fees but couldn't agree on what to do about the tens of thousands of motorists who might have already started paying them. Read More... State emphasizing carpooling in HOT lanes Jan 25, 2008 3:00 AM by Dan Genz, The Examiner WASHINGTON (Map, News) - Virginia transportation officials are hoping 3,750 additional commuter parking spaces along the Interstate 95 corridor will reduce concerns about the planned high-occupancy toll lanes wiping away Northern Virginia’s carpool culture. Read More... Study: Slugs Won't Change Ways for HOT Lanes January 24, 2008 WOODBRIDGE, Va. (AP) - A new survey by the state of Virginia shows that the Washington-area tradition of "slugging" won't fade when High Occupancy Vehicle lanes are converted to high occupancy toll lanes -- despite people's fears. Read More... Residents living near railways want county cash used to silence train whistles, create ‘quiet-zone’ Jan 25, 2008 3:00 AM by Leah Fabel, The Examiner WASHINGTON (Map, News) - After making enough noise to get the Montgomery County Council’s attention, whistle-weary homeowners who live near railways might finally sleep in silence. Residents in the Forest Glen area, near tracks used for freight, Amtrak and MARC trains, want the council to apply for a “quiet-zone” exception to the federal law requiring trains whistle a warning as they approach major road crossings. On Thursday, the Council heard representatives from railway companies and various state and local authorities discuss possible solutions.Read More... Metro Buys Nearly 500 Hybrid Buses January 23, 2008 by Mark Segraves, WTOP Radio WASHINGTON - Metro will buy 452 hybrid buses from General Motors, with an option for 500 more. The hybrid order from the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority is one of the largest GM has ever had. GM received orders for more than 1,700 hybrid buses from transit agencies in Washington, Philadelphia and Minneapolis/St. Paul. Read More... Proposed bus lanes draw ire of Alexandria residents Jan 23, 2008 3:00 AM by Taryn Luntz, The Examiner WASHINGTON (Map, News) - A proposal to create a rapid-transit bus route along traffic-clogged Route 1 is drawing fire from Alexandria residents who say the bus system would wipe out their neighborhood parking and damage their historic homes. Read More... Bill halting HOT lanes faces slim odds Jan 23, 2008 3:00 AM by Dan Genz, The Examiner WASHINGTON (Map, News) - Prince William Del. Paul Nichols finds his opposition to high-occupancy toll lanes on Interstate 95 a lonely road in Richmond. Read More... Ford’s ‘Connected Car’ experience to benefit capitol commuters on congested ‘Beltway’ 22 Jan 2008 , WASHINGTON D.C. Building on the huge success of SYNC, Ford is moving to the next generation of in-car communications with the introduction of new capabilities for SYNC with “911 Assist” and new SIRIUS Travel Link™ navigation. Both features will be available on the new 2009 Ford Escape and Mercury Mariner, and their respective hybrid models, being introduced at the 2008 Washington Auto Show. Read More... Virginia Senate Leader to Push for Increase in Gas Tax Washington Post by Tim Craig Saturday, January 19, 2008 RICHMOND, Jan. 18 -- Senate Majority Leader Richard L. Saslaw has decided to push for the first increase in Virginia's gasoline tax in more than two decades, saying Friday that he wants to raise it by a nickel a gallon over the next five years. Read More... A Top Test For the Nationals: Scouting For Parking Washington Post ,by Daniel LeDucTuesday, January 22, 2008 High above Connecticut Avenue, the conference room walls are papered with satellite photos, architectural drawings and detailed maps. Posters specify their categories: Road/Sidewalk Improvements, Communications and Advertising, Signage. Read More... Metro gets $34M for new rail cars, infrastructure Wednesday, Jan. 16, 2008 by Marcus Moore The Washington Area Metropolitan Transit Authority has received $34.3 million in federal funding to help build new rail cars and upgrade its aging infrastructure, U.S. Sen. Benjamin L. Cardin announced Tuesday afternoon at the Shady Grove Metro Station in Rockville.Read More... Federal Qualms Leave Dulles Rail at Risk Washington Post by Amy Gardner Thursday, January 17, 2008; Federal officials remain skeptical of the plan to extend Metrorail to Dulles International Airport and might reject it, even though their consultants recently found that the proposal meets requirements for full funding, government and project sources said. Read More... Fenty to Start Taxi Meter at $3 for All Washington Post by Joshua Zumbrun Thursday, January 17, 2008; District cab fares will be lower than first proposed under the new metered taxi system, the rush-hour surcharge will be eliminated, and the snow emergency rate will drop from double the fare to 25 percent, Mayor Adrian M. Fenty announced yesterday. Read More... Going to a Nats Game? Take Metro WASHINGTON - If you plan on visiting the new ballpark for the Nats when it opens, local transit leaders are urging you to take Metro. Metro has created a Web page that shows fans the best way to get to the stadium. The site also features a Nationals Park-specific Trip Planner. Read More... Panel: Gas Tax Hike The Fix for Aging Roads January 15, 2008 - 4:49pm
The National Surface and Transportation Policy and Revenue Study Commission said the only way to improve the nation's disintegrating bridges and clogged roads is hiking the federal gas tax 5 to 8 cents, every year, over a period of five years.Read More... Parking add-on nixed at Vienna Metro The Examiner by Taryn Luntz, Jan 15, 2008 3:00 AM WASHINGTON (Map, News) - The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors has placed an indefinite hold on plans to add more than 1,000 parking spots at the Vienna Metrorail station, citing parking improvements at nearby stations and a lack of public outcry when a surface lot at Vienna closed. Read More... Metro Eyes a Makeover Washington Post by Lena H. Sun Friday, January 11, 2008; Page B01 With shiny, stainless-steel exteriors, ergonomic seats and interactive, high-tech maps, the next generation of Metro trains could look and feel dramatically different from those of the past 40 years and represent a fundamental shift in the way the nation's second-busiest subway system operates its rail fleet. Read More... Metrorail Reports 17-Month Slide in On-Time Service Washington Post by Lena H. Sun Thursday, January 10, 2008; Page A01 Metro's latest performance data confirm what subway riders have been saying for months: Train service is getting worse. Read More... Proposed Metro Budget Includes More Peak Service Washington Post by Lena H . Sun Friday, January 11, 2008; Page B03 Metro is proposing a $1.3 billion operating budget for the fiscal year that begins in July that includes $19 million in service improvements for Metrorail, Metrobus and MetroAccess, the paratransit service for the disabled. Read More... Navy's Hospital Road Aid Is Faulted Washington Post by Steve Vogel Friday, January 11, 2008; Page B01 A frustrated Montgomery County Planning Board called on the federal government yesterday to pay more for transportation improvements needed for the expansion of the naval hospital in Bethesda, saying the Navy has provided too little information and promised too little help. Read More... Metro Riders Open Wallets Washington Post by Lena H. Sun January 6, 2008; Page C01 The largest Metro fare and fee increases in the transit agency's history go into effect today, but many suburban commuters won't feel the full effect until tomorrow, the first weekday, when they park at Metrorail stations and ride trains during rush hour. Read More... Metro fares increase Sunday The Examiner by Freeman Klopott January 4, 2008 WASHINGTON - Metro riders will have to crack their wallets open a bit wider starting Sunday to pay more for trains, buses and parking as part of the biggest Metro rate increase in history. Read More...
Life in the Fast Lane Bacon's Rebellion by Robert L. Burke Life in the Fast Lane Transportation planners aren't designing the Interstate 95 HOT lane project just for solo drivers willing to pay tolls. A key goal is to shift commuters into vans, buses and carpools. Read More... Metro's New Safety Officer to Focus on Pedestrian Safety WTOP Radio by Adam Tuss January 3, 2008 WASHINGTON - Metro has set the goal of becoming the safest transit system in the nation, and now the agency has its next chief safety officer. Read More... Traffic Nightmare in Tysons Could Worsen with Expansion The Examiner by William C. Flook December 27, 2007 WASHINGTON - Tysons Corner, already notorious for nerve-wracking traffic congestion, is expected to creep deeper into gridlock next year as the state clears the way for Metro to Dulles and adds lanes to the Capital Beltway. Read More... Rats to warn against eating on Metro The Examiner by Freeman Klopott December 20, 2007 WASHINGTON - Rats are popping up throughout the Metrorail system. No, they’re not scampering underfoot or between the rails. These rats are on posters lining train and station walls that urge riders to follow the law: no eating or drinking anywhere in the system. Read More... Md. Vows to Help Counties Cope With Military Growth Washington Post by Steve Vogel December 18, 2007; Page B01 Maryland Lt. Gov. Anthony G. Brown pledged yesterday that the state will pay for "a substantial portion" of more than $70 million in transportation projects sought by Montgomery County as it prepares for the expansion of the National Naval Medical Center in Bethesda. Read More... New Limits Proposed For Parking On Streets Near National Stadium Washington Post by Daniel LeDuc December 15, 2007; Page B06 D.C. Council member Tommy Wells proposed new parking restrictions around the Washington Nationals ballpark yesterday in hopes of reducing traffic congestion that he said is a potential "crisis." Read More... Mass Transit Ridership Up in Northern Va. WTOP Radio Hank Silverberg December 16, 2007 WASHINGTON-- Fare increases, parking problems and crowded trains maybe forcing more Northern Virginians away from Metro. However, it doesn't mean that they are cranking up their cars. No, they could be taking the bus. Read More... A Costly Shuffle: Military realignment hailed by political leaders Washington Post by Steve Vogel December 16, 2007; Page C01 In this region, the military realignment hailed by political leaders is more a matter of job relocation than job creation. Although the economic benefits might be questionable, the strains in store for roadways are beyond doubt. Read More... Metro Passes Largest Fare Hikes in Its History Washington Post by Lena H. Sun December 14, 2007; Page A01 By an overwhelming majority, the Metro board approved the largest increases in subway fares and parking fees in the agency's history yesterday, with the biggest hikes affecting rush-hour riders who travel longer distances. Read More... MARC Plans to Add Trains During Rush Hours, at Night Washington Post by Lisa Rein December 13, 2007; Page B03 MARC will boost rush-hour and late-evening service between Washington and Baltimore starting in February, officials announced yesterday, the first step in an ambitious expansion of the commuter train system. Read More... Developeres halt in construction causes delays in building of commuter lot The Examiner by Dan Genz December 13, 2007 WASHINGTON - Prince William County says it is being forced to build a much-needed commuter parking lot along the Interstate 95 corridor after a builder stopped construction on a massive development near Quantico. Read More... Metro Loses Significant Ridership in Virginia WTOP Radio by Adam Tuss December 13, 2007 ALEXANDRIA, Va. -- Metro may be breaking records with ridership numbers, but a lot of those trips are not coming out of Virginia. Read More... Metro board expected to OK plans to spruce up Rosslyn station The Examiner by Taryn Luntz December 13, 2007 WASHINGTON - Metro’s board of directors today is expected to move forward with designs to spruce up the Rosslyn Metrorail station by adding three high-speed elevators. Read More... Amid Complaints, Metro Reverses Cuts Washington Post by Lena H. Sun December 12, 2007; Page B03 After hollers of protest from riders, Metro officials have reversed an unpopular decision to cut train service on weekends and weekday off-peak hours and restored service to its original levels, effective yesterday. Read More... Alternative Metro Fare Hikes Proposed Washington Post by Lena H. Sun December 9, 2007; Page C01 Days before the Metro board is scheduled to make a final decision on the largest proposed increases in subway fares and parking fees, members from Maryland have offered an alternative that would soften the impact on suburban and long-distance rush-hour riders. Read More... Rocket (and Subway) Science: Metro Hopes Upgrade Will Make for a Smarter SmarTrip Card Washington Post by Lena H. Sun December 9, 2007; Page C01 Metro's electronic SmarTrip cards are no geniuses, but the agency hopes to make them Mensa ready over the next year. New technology will allow the cards to compute all fares and special passes that Metro and most of its regional bus partners offer, and make it far easier to add money for trips. Read More... Stadium's Neighbors Fear Fan Inundation Washington Post by Daniel LeDuc December 10, 2007; Page B01 Opening Day is less than four months away, and residents near the Nationals' new ballpark are finding themselves less excited about hot dogs and first pitches than they are anxious about clogged streets and a crush of fans in their neighborhoods. Read More... Naval Hospital Patients to Double and Worsen Bethesda Traffic Washington Post by Ann E. Marimow December 10, 2007; Page A01 The planned expansion of the National Naval Medical Center in Bethesda will add an estimated 2,200 workers and double the number of patients and visitors at the center's campus each year, increasing traffic in a congested area of Montgomery County, according to a draft report released by the Navy. Read More... Carpoolers Reclaim HOV Lanes The Examiner by Dan Genz December 6, 2007 WASHINGTON - Three miles of high-occupancy vehicle lanes on Interstate 395 that have been open to all drivers for 25 years would be restricted under a proposal by state transportation officials. Read More... Far-Reaching Plan Aims To Make Pedestrians Safe Washington Post by Ann E. Marimow December 6, 2007; Page B03 Montgomery County would give pedestrians more time to cross busy intersections, build 10.5 miles of sidewalks each year and aggressively ticket jaywalkers and reckless drivers under a $32.4 million initiative announced yesterday by County Executive Isiah Leggett to address what officials called an epidemic of pedestrian fatalities. Read More... Metro Tries Out New Cars Washington Times December 5, 2007 Associated Press - Metro is using an experimental rail car with more standing room, places for passengers to grab hold and other features to see whether such changes will help the increasingly crowded system operate more smoothly. Read More... Wash. Leads Metro Areas in Walkability WTOP News December 4, 2007 Associated Press - Caitlin Jones and her fiance, Evan Oxfeld, grew up in suburbs where getting anywhere worth going required a car. When the couple started looking for their first home together, they wanted something different: walkability. Read More... Purple Line Could Draw 47,000 Riders a Year, Officials Say Washington Post by William Wan December 4, 2007; Page B10 A light-rail line cutting across the Maryland suburbs could draw as many 47,000 riders daily, and a dedicated bus line along a similar route could bring in as many as 45,000 passengers, according to projections that state transportation officials released yesterday for the proposed Purple Line. Read More... New Taxes, Fees in Northern Va. to go into Effect New Year’s Day The Examiner by Joe Rogalsky November 30, 2007 WASHINGTON (Map, News) - Northern Virginians will begin paying new taxes and fees to fund transportation Jan. 1 even though the state Supreme Court will not have ruled on the levies’ legality. Read More... Gas Tax Proposed for Montgomery Commuters The Examiner by Kathleen Miller November 30, 2007 WASHINGTON - Montgomery residents and workers commuting into the county could face yet another tax increase after a County Council panel recommended Thursday that leaders consider a local gas tax or vehicle registration fee to fund infrastructure improvements. Read More... Metro to Unveil New Rail Cars Next Month WTOP Radio Adam Tuss November 29, 2007 WASHINGTON -- Next stop for Metro, a makeover. The transit agency tells WTOP that by Christmas -- and possibly earlier -- two new-look rail cars will be out on the tracks. Read More... Metro GM Says Agency Will Take Steps to Improve Rail Service WTOP Radio November 17, 2007 WASHINGTON (AP) - Metro's general manager says the agency is taking steps to improve reliability of the rail system. John Catoe says he takes Metro every day and agrees with passengers who tell him that day-to-day reliability needs to get better. Read More... New Montgomery Growth Policy Formalizes Focus on Public Transit Washington Post by Miranda S. Spivack November 19, 2007; Page B01 Montgomery County's new growth policy is likely to steer the next phase of the county's development into already urbanizing areas because for the first time it allows planners to consider public transportation when deciding where to allow development. Read More... Metro GM Says Agency Will Take Steps to Improve Rail Service WTOP November 17, 2007 WASHINGTON (AP) - Metro's general manager says the agency is taking steps to improve reliability of the rail system. John Catoe says he takes Metro every day and agrees with passengers who tell him that day-to-day reliability needs to get better. Read More... Virginians Spending More of Income on Gas WTOP Radio November 14, 2007 RICHMOND, Va. - Most Virginians are spending twice as much of their household income on gas than they did five years ago. Read More... Montgomery County Considers Backup Taxi Plan Washington Post by Michael Tunison Staff November 15, 2007 Montgomery County officials are considering a proposal to issue up to 200 taxi licenses in case the financially troubled Barwood company goes out of business.Read More... State Officials Say Extending Rail to Columbia Too Costly Washington Post by Susan DeFord November 15, 2007 State transportation officials say Columbia's future might not include rail transit despite pleas to extend such service to the county's largest community. Read More... Cab Riders Organize Online to Protest Fares Washington Post by Sue Anne Pressley Montes November 15, 2007 The group D.C. Residents for Reasonable Taxi Fares was born shortly after Nov. 1, when Mayor Adrian M. Fenty (D) announced a drop rate of $4 for the District's new meter system. Read More... D.C Circulator to Expand Routes The Examiner by Michael Neibauer November 12, 2007 WASHINGTON - The D.C. Circulator bus system is expected to expand with at least two new routes in 2008, one between the Walter E. Washington Convention Center and Adams Morgan, and the other from Union Station to the new Washington Nationals ballpark. Read More... Rider Outrage May Lead Metro to Tweak Fares Washington Post by Lena H. Sun November 11, 2007 Metro board members are proposing the largest increase ever in rail fares and parking fees, but some members say they will be able to soften the blow if they hear from enough riders during public hearings this week about which increases would hurt most. Read More... Metro Board Approves Project at Takoma Station Washington Post by Ann E. Marimow November 9, 2007; Page B01 With little discussion, the Metro board unanimously approved a townhouse development at the Takoma station yesterday over long-standing objections of neighbors in the District and Maryland who said the project would limit access for disabled riders and put pedestrians in harm's way. Read More... D.C. Requires Bike Parking in New Apt., Condos WTOP November 7, 2007 WASHINGTON (AP) - The D.C. Council wants to encourage more people to ride bikes by requiring new buildings to have more bike parking. The council adopted legislation Tuesday that requires all new apartment and condo complexes to include one bike space for every three units. Read More... D.C. Leads Metro Ridership Surge Washington Post by Lena H. Sun, November 7, 2007 Metrorail ridership grew faster among District residents in the past five years than among residents of any other jurisdiction in the transit agency's service area, according to a rail passenger survey. Read More... D.C. DMV to Build SmarTrip Chips into Driver’s Licenses The Examiner by Michael Neibauer November 6, 2007 WASHINGTON - Privacy advocates are alarmed by a D.C. Department of Motor Vehicles initiative to embed SmarTrip computer chips inside every new D.C. driver’s license, making it easier than ever to track D.C. residents on their travels through the transit system. Read More... 26 Giant Stores in the D.C. Area Will Begin Selling SmarTrip Cards Washington Post by Lena H. Sun November 2, 2007 Twenty-six area Giant supermarkets began selling SmarTrip cards yesterday, the plastic, reusable Farecards used on Metro buses and trains, agency officials said. Read More... Time change will add an hour of Metro service The Examiner by Joe Rogalsky November 2, 2007 WASHINGTON (Map, News) - Metro’s rail service will run an hour longer this weekend, when clocks fall back an hour to mark the end of daylight saving time. Read More... Despite Strike, Taxi Plan Moves Forward WTOP Radio by Adam Tuss November 1, 2007 WASHINGTON -- One day after a strike by D.C. cab drivers, Mayor Adrian Fenty is full speed ahead on his plan to switch from a zone fare system to time-and-distance meters. Read More... D.C. Taxi Drivers End 24-Hour Strike WTOP Radio November 1, 2007 WASHINGTON -- If you plan on hailing a cab in the District, you shouldn't have any problem. Taxi drivers ended their 24-hour Halloween strike at 6 a.m. Thursday. Read More... Companies Seek to Link Quantico, D.C. by Ferry The Examiner by Joe Rogalsky November 1, 2007 WASHINGTON (Map, News) - Private firms are exploring adding a ferry service to the commuting options available to Prince William County residents who work in the District of Columbia. Read More... Subway Fares May Rise 30 Cents Washington Post by Lena H. Sun and Ann E. Marimow October 26, 2007 Minimum rush-hour subway fares could rise as much as 30 cents, bus fares could go up a dime and parking fees could increase by $1.15 under a plan agreed to by Metro board members yesterday that now must go before the public. Read More... Alexandria DASH Bus Company Proposes Major Route Changes The Examiner by Maria Hegstad October 25, 2007 Alexandria (Map, News) - Alexandria’s DASH bus company is proposing changes to one-third of its routes, after a survey found low ridership on one route, and more passengers and increased traffic congestion on another. Read More... Amtrak Carries a Record 25.8 Million in 2007 WTOP Radio October 23, 2007 WASHINGTON - A record 25.8 million passengers took Amtrak in the last fiscal year, an increase of 1.5 million over fiscal 2006, the national passenger railroad said Tuesday. Read More... Metro wants to Toughen its Ban on Food and Drink The Examiner by Joe Rogalsky October 19, 2007 WASHINGTON (Map, News) - Metro riders who like to eat a snack or sip a morning cup of coffee during their train ride will soon be more likely to face fines as high as $100. Read More... Congestion Costs Region Billions Each Year WTOP Radio by Kate Prahlad October 18, 2007 Capital News Service - Traffic congestion in the Baltimore and Washington areas costs Maryland citizens $3.1 billion annually, according to a new study. Read More... D.C. Mayor Mandates Meters for Cabs WTOP by By LUBNA TAKRURI October 17, 2007 WASHINGTON (AP) - The District of Columbia will join the nation's other major cities by installing meters in its taxis, abandoning a quirky zone system that has frustrated residents and visitors alike for decades, the mayor announced Wednesday. Read More... Metro Board Delays Discussion of Fare Hikes Washington Post by Lena H. Sun October 12, 2007; Page B03 Metro board members voted yesterday to delay for two weeks consideration of proposals to raise fares to give them more time to consider three plans they put forth as alternatives to one recommended by General Manager John B. Catoe Jr. Read More... Feds Consider Daily Fee for Commuters WTOP Radio October 11, 2007 WASHINGTON - A plan to charge commuters a daily fee to enter the District is one of many options the federal government is considering to reduce traffic downtown. Read More... Feds Consider Tolls for 14th Street Bridge WTOP Radio October 11, 2007 WASHINGTON - Your commute might get more expensive. The federal government is considering tolls on the 14th Street Bridge as a way to reduce traffic in the heart of the District. Read More... Changes to Metrobus to Be Subject of Meetings Washington Post October 11, 2007; Page VA14 Changes to the Metrobus 2W, 12 and 20 lines will be the subject of a public meeting at 10 a.m. Saturday at Chantilly High School, 4201 Stringfellow Rd., and at 7 p.m. Tuesday at Rocky Run Middle School, 4400 Stringfellow Rd., Chantilly. Read More... District may employ cameras to catch parking violators The Examiner by Michael Neibauer Oct 9, 2007 WASHINGTON (Map, News) - Mayor Adrian Fenty is proposing to mount cameras on the District’s fleet of street sweepers in an intensified effort to nab vehicles illegally parked during a block’s designated weekly cleaning period. Read More... Metro Plans to Give Riders Free SmarTrip cards Next Year The Examiner by Joe Rogalsky Oct 5, 2007 WASHINGTON (Map, News) - Metro plans to stop charging riders for SmarTrip cards next year as part of the transit system’s plans to encourage more riders to pay their fares electronically. Passengers will also be able to get the cards at supermarkets next year. Read More... Bottlenecks Near NIH Created by Perfect Traffic Storm WTOP Radio by Neal Augenstein and Amy Morris October 5, 2007 BETHESDA, Md. - "Traffic is driving me crazy from Germantown to NIH, coming south in the morning," writes Ed from Germantown in an e-mail to WTOP. Read More... Safety Plan Gives Pedestrians More Control WTOP Radio by Adam Tuss October 2, 2007 WASHINGTON - The D.C. Department of Transportation this month unveils its first ever Pedestrian Master Plan, a sweeping review of the city's pedestrian trouble spots that focuses on improving safety and on giving pedestrians more in control of when cars stop and go. Read More... As Polluter, DC Area Outpaces Countries Washington Post by David A. Fahrenthold September 30, 2007; Page C01 The Washington area produces more carbon dioxide than several medium-size European countries, according to a new estimate of local emissions, as the region's crawling traffic and coal-fired power plants give it a pollution "footprint" out of proportion to its size. Read More...
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