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News Articles July 2008 - June 2009 Gas prices likely to stay down January 1, 2009 New Year's resolution number one: Lose weight. New Year's resolution number two: Spend less money on gas. This year, at least one vow will be easier to keep. The nation's recession is pushing down prices at the pump as oil prices drop to levels not seen in almost five years, according to AAA. Pumps are showing their lowest prices since February 2004. ReadMore... Panel wants fuel taxes hiked to fund highways January 1, 2009; By JOAN LOWY, WASHINGTON – A 50 percent increase in gasoline and diesel fuel taxes is being urged by a federal commission to finance highway construction and repair until the government devises another way for motorists to pay for using public roads. The National Commission on Surface Transportation Infrastructure Financing, a 15-member panel created by Congress, is the second group in a year to call for higher fuel taxes. ReadMore... VRE eyes fare increase in summer December 22, 2008; By Kytja Weir Examiner Staff Leaders of the Virginia Railway Express are proposing to raise fares in the summer — even though the commuter trains’ riders already will have faced fare increases twice within six months. The agency increased fares by 3 percent in July, with fares now ranging from $2.50 to $9.10 for a one-way trip. And VRE plans to enact a 7 percent increase Jan. 5. ReadMore... Car Sharing December 22, 2008; By Joann Muller These days U.S. car executives are fixated on keeping their companies alive. But deep in R&D departments employees are casting their thoughts in new directions. Can they reinvent the car for a congested, urbanized world with vexing climate and energy problems? One idea, dubbed "mobility on demand," is based on the premise that in the future, urban motorists will buy a service, not a product. The reason: Tomorrow's cities simply cannot tolerate more cars. ReadMore... Fairfax Connector bus discount to end December 29, 2008; By Adam Tuss, WTOP Radio FAIRFAX, Va. - If you ride Fairfax Connector buses, you may soon have to pay a bit more. Metro says starting next week, the regular Metrobus fare of $1.25 with a Smartrip Card and $1.35 with cash will apply to some routes. Discount on Fairfax County bus routes will end Jan. 4, after which customers will have to pay regular Metrobus fare. ReadMore... Md. officials trim MARC, bus service December30 2008; By Kytja Weir Examiner Staff
Meter rates to double in downtown D.C. December 16 2008; By Emily J. Reynolds Examiner Staff The cost of parking at a meter in downtown Washington will double within days, the D.C. Council decided Tuesday, with millions in excess revenue dedicated to housing programs and a single economic development project. Emergency legislation approved by an 11-2 vote raises the meter rate in the District’s “high-impact areas,” almost entirely downtown, from $1 to $2 per hour. In spots where the current rate is 50 cents, it will increase to 75 cents. ReadMore... Fairfax to raise bus fares in January December 10, 2008; By Kaitlyn Funk Examiner Staff SPECIAL TO THE EXAMINER – Bus fares in Fairfax County will rise starting Jan. 4, after the county Board of Supervisors approved the increase this week. Base fare for Connector buses will increase from $1 to $1.35 for cash payments and $1.25 for those paying with a SmarTrip card. Express fare will increase by 10 cents for those who pay with cash. The supervisors also approved the elimination of paper bus-to-bus transfers, following Metro’s lead, which will do away with them Jan. 4. ReadMore... Fighting to save MARC's late trains December 11, 2008; By Michael Dresser Veteran federal worker Rolf Schmitt does not regularly take the 10:05 p.m. MARC Penn Line train out of Washington. Usually, he is back at his Bolton Hill home much earlier. But every so often, his job at the U.S. Department of Transportation keeps him at the office late into the evening. It is then that he depends on that train, which the Maryland Transit Administration is proposing to discontinue as of Jan. 12 as a cost-cutting measure. ReadMore... D.C. Council weighs doubling downtown parking meter rate December 9, 2008; By Michael Neibauer The D.C. Council is considering doubling the downtown parking meter rate to $2 an hour and dedicating the extra revenue to social and low-income housing programs hit hardest by the city’s fiscal crisis. Ward 1 Councilman Jim Graham, who has oversight of the D.C. Department of Transportation and meter issues, said Monday that he has upped the ante, revising an earlier proposal to take the current $1 per hour downtown rate to $1.50. Where meters charge 50 cents, Graham’s plan calls for a new 75-cent charge. And it requires meter payment in the Central Business District on Saturdays, lifting the current moratorium. ReadMore... Other transit agencies eye Metro plan to eliminate paper bus transfers December 9, 2008; By Kytja Weir Examiner Staff As Metro plans to eliminate its paper bus-to-bus transfers on Jan. 4, other local transit agencies are now considering doing the same. Other local transit agencies as considering following Metro’s lead in eliminating paper bus-to-bus transfers. Arlington officials are seeking public input Saturday as they consider ending paper transfers on county ART bus system, while D.C. Circulator officials said on Monday that they planned to drop the paper transfers when Metro does, on Jan. 4. ReadMore... Dulles Greenway tolls to rise starting Jan. 1 December 9, 2008; By Kytja Weir Examiner Staff The Dulles Greenway will be increasing its tolls for all drivers starting Jan. 1, but raising them even higher for those who take the road during rush hour. The privately owned 14-mile roadway will charge drivers as much as $4 each way between Leesburg and Washington, D.C. The $3 base toll is increasing 40 cents. But those who drive eastbound from 6:30 a.m. until 9 a.m. or westbound from 4 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. on weekdays will pay a dollar more than they currently do. Tack on another 50 cents for those continuing on the separate Dulles Toll Road. ReadMore... Can Southern Md. bridge handle an evacuation? December 8, 2008; By CHRISTOPHER CAREY SOLOMONS ISLAND, Md. - A small peninsula on the western side of the Chesapeake Bay, Calvert County is home to the only nuclear power plant in the state. One of the main exits from the county, the Governor Thomas Johnson Memorial Bridge, stretches across the Patuxent River to connect Calvert and St. Mary's counties. The two-lane bridge, built in 1977, is the only major evacuation route for the southern half of Calvert County. ReadMore... $1 Surcharge on Taxi Rides to Be Rescinded in DC Wednesday, December 3, 2008; By David Betancourt Washington Post The District's taxicab fuel surcharge is about to be ditched, a welcome casualty of declining gas prices. Sherry A. Tillman, an official with the D.C. Taxi Cab Commission, said that the $1 surcharge added to every ride will be rescinded, effective tomorrow. ReadMore... As Gas Prices Fall, Transit & Ridesharing Still Popular Tuesday, December 2, 2008; By Lena H. Sun Gas prices have plummeted during the past several weeks, but commuters do not appear to be returning to their cars, according to transit officials in the region and elsewhere, who say ridership is still increasing. Transit officials attributed much of the ridership increase earlier this year to skyrocketing gasoline prices. ReadMore... D.C. taxi panel endorses increase in fares, improved driver training December 2, 2008; By Michael Neibauer Examiner Higher fares, revamped taxicab driver training programs and deputized hack inspectors are among the final recommendations of a task force examining D.C.’s changing taxi industry. The group determined, in a final report released Friday, that existing fares should be raised “to fairly compensate the drivers and to restore their income to a comparative level with other neighboring jurisdictions.” ReadMore... D.C. looks to add Circulator route to Nationals Park December 2, 2008; By Kytja Weir The District is hoping to expand its popular D.C. Circulator bus service from Union Station to the new Washington Nationals baseball stadium in the spring, part of a broader extension of the city’s tourist-friendly bus system from three to five looping routes.The new route would replace the N22 Metrobus, giving riders a cheaper $1 alternative to the current bus line that costs up to $1.35 for cash fares. It also would extend Circulator service to new attractions for tourists and residents alike: The $621 million Capitol Visitor Center that opens today, the Washington Nationals baseball stadium, the new U.S. Department of Transportation headquarters on New Jersey Avenue Southeast and the booming residential area cropping up in the Navy Yard area. ReadMore... Variable speed limits in effect from Springfield to Wilson Bridge November 24, 2008 ALEXANDRIA, Va. -- A warning to drivers: Watch the speed limit approaching the Woodrow Wilson Bridge. The Variable Speed Limit signs are being used until 8 p.m. Monday and between 5 a.m. and 8 p.m. Tuesday for the seven miles between Interstate 95/495 between Springfield and the bridge. ReadMore... Leesburg Limits Free Holiday Parking Sunday, November 23, 2008; By Kafia A. Hosh Washington Post Every holiday season since 2005, Leesburg officials have given a gift to the community: free parking in the town government's garage and at metered spaces downtown, from Thanksgiving through New Year's Day. ReadMore... Commuter trains to adjust schedules for Inauguration Day November 23, 2008 By Kytja Weir
Hearings Planned to Discuss Purple Line Options Wednesday, 19 Nov 2008, BETHESDA, Md. – State officials in Maryland are asking for your opinion on whether the long-discussed Purple Line between Bethesda and New Carrolton should be a light rail system, or whether Maryland should save hundreds of millions of dollars and build express bus lanes instead. ReadMore... DC-area police launch 'Street Smart' initiative Nov 17, 2008 WASHINGTON (Map, News) - D.C.-area law enforcement agencies are cracking down on people who violate traffic safety laws. Police in the District of Columbia, suburban Maryland and northern Virginia on Monday launched "Street Smart," a weeklong campaign aimed at getting pedestrians, bicyclists and motorists to follow traffic laws. ReadMore... On-time performance slips for VRE November 18, 2008 ALEXANDRIA, Va. -- Virginia Railway Express saw its on-time performance slip, at a time when the transit agency is carrying a record number of riders. Statistics from the transit agency show overall on-time performance at 85 percent in October.That's a decline from the 92 percent and 91 percent on-time performance registered in August and September, respectively. ReadMore... Arlington to change policy with parking tickets November 17, 2008; By Hank Silverberg, WTOP Radio ARLINGTON, Va. - In an effort to cut spending and bring in revenue, one local county is changing the way it handles parking tickets. A ticket for failure to feed the meter or ignoring a "No Parking" sign cannot be challenged by mail anymore. Arlington Police Chief Doug Scott says they have eliminated the Parking Notice Review Office. ReadMore... Stay smart on the street, avoid a ticket November 17, 2008 By; Michael Neibauer Examiner D.C.-area police will be on the lookout this week for drivers, pedestrians and cyclists who disregard traffic safety laws by speeding, darting into traffic, jaywalking or demonstrating any number of other potentially deadly lapses of judgment. Police departments in the District, suburban Maryland and Northern Virginia today will launch their fall "Street Smart" campaigns, a regionwide effort to enforce traffic and pedestrian safety laws, reduce traffic-related fatalities and change people's behaviors as they navigate area roadways. ReadMore... Split of Metro Line Has Many Riders Singing the Blues Sunday, November 16, 2008; By Dr. Gridlock Metrorail riders turned all kinds of colors when we asked them to discuss the Metro staff's proposal to split Blue Line service. Under the proposal, some trains would take the Yellow Line bridge over the Potomac River rather than battling Orange Line trains at the Rosslyn tunnel. In response to staff writer Lena H. Sun's request for comment ("Breaking the Blue Line Jams," Oct. 26), we received seven e-mails in favor and 21 against. Some other writers just wanted to offer a color recommendation to designate the new service. ReadMore...
Metro could sell SmarTrip cards at CVS November 17, 2008 by; Adam Tuss, WTOP Radio WASHINGTON - It may soon be easier to pick up a Metro SmarTrip card.The transit agency has been in negotiations with nearly 200 CVS stores across the region to sell the cards.If the Metro board approves a plan this week, riders will able to buy SmarTrip cards at CVS stores for $10. The cards will come loaded with $5 of fares already on them. ReadMore... Ridesharing Rises on I-95 Ridesharing Rises on I-95 November 14, 2008; By KELLY HANNON Look to your right and left when you drive into Washington on Interstate 95. Odds are, if you are outside the Capital Beltway, one of the vehicles you see will be a bus, carpool or vanpool. Nearly half the region's morning traffic outside the Beltway is ridesharing, according to a report released yesterday by the Northern Virginia Transportation Commission. ReadMore... Regional Panel Approves Plan To Reduce Greenhouse Gases Thursday, November 13, 2008; By Miranda S. Spivack With 1.6 million new residents and nearly as many new jobs projected for the Washington region in the next two decades, local officials are struggling to cope with already polluted air and water and still absorb expected growth. Yesterday, the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments, a consortium of local officials from the District, Maryland and Virginia, outlined an ambitious blueprint for doing just that. ReadMore... Metro to expand circulation through Adams Morgan November 12, 2008; By Tiffany Sun Metro is moving forward with its plans to expand the popular D.C. Circulator bus into Adams Morgan. The Circulator will travel between Woodley Park and the McPherson Square Metro Station, with stops in Adams Morgan, 14th Street and U Street.It would replace Metrobus’ short route 98, which runs between Adams Morgan and U Street. “We’re chugging right along. The buses have already all been ordered and will be arriving in March, so this is a go,” said Ward 1 D.C. Council Member and Metro board member Jim Graham. ReadMore... Key D.C. councilman floats parking meter rate hike November 11, 2008; By Michael Neibauer Examiner Staff A key D.C. councilman has suggested increasing the District’s parking meter rates by 50 percent and perhaps start charging for Saturday parking, potentially raising millions more dollars for the city’s struggling coffers. Ward 1 Councilman Jim Graham, who has oversight of the District’s parking meter operation, floated the idea Monday minutes before voting with his colleagues to eliminate a projected $131 million budget shortfall and to set aside $46 million more in a rainy-day reserve fund. ReadMore... Leggett wants large work trucks off streets November 10, 2008; By Kathleen Miller Examiner Staff Montgomery residents could park pickups and work vans, but not “heavy” commercial vehicles like construction trucks or recreational vehicles on residential streets overnight, under Montgomery County Executive Ike Leggett’s suggested revisions to local parking laws. “They block traffic, create safety conditions and in some ways, with so many of them in a it is a blight on the community,” Leggett said of large-size commercial vehicles. ReadMore... Slick techniques for snow removal in Va., D.C. November 10, 2008; by Adam Tuss, WTOP Radio WASHINGTON - Local road crews are gearing up for the winter weather, and they have some new tricks up their sleeve. New tanker trucks will be used to pre-treat roadways in Virginia. The Virginia Department of Transportation on Monday showed off the trucks, which will carry a liquid solution like salt brine, magnesium-chloride or calcium chloride, and spray it on roadways as an anti-icing technique. ReadMore... 'Slugs' Fear HOT Lanes Will End Free Rides Monday, November 10, 2008; By Eric M. Weiss Commuters who carpool along the Interstate 95/395 corridor to the Pentagon or the District continue to raise concerns about the proposed HOT lanes that will replace the HOV lanes from Dumfries to the 14th Street bridge. The carpoolers, also known as "slugs," accept free rides from strangers, allowing drivers to use HOV lanes that require a minimum of three passengers per vehicle during rush hours. ReadMore... Metro to Balance Transfer Fees for SmarTrip Users Friday, November 7, 2008; By Lena H. Sun Washington Post Beginning next year, tens of thousands of Metro riders who transfer from bus to rail will save 50 cents a trip if they use electronic SmarTrip cards, officials said yesterday. The long-promised change is scheduled to go into effect Jan. 4, the same day the agency is eliminating paper transfers. ReadMore... Frederick warned on transportation funding FREDERICK, Md. (AP) - The state transportation secretary warned Frederick County officials Thursday that the economic crisis means less money for highway projects. "This is not going to be a surprise to many of you, but the national economic downturn has had a direct and immediate impact on our six-year capital program," John Porcari said. ReadMore... Metro eyes SmarTrip card upgrades November 6, 2008 By Taryn Luntz Examiner Staff Metro is planning to speed up the upgrades to its SmarTrip system to make it easier for riders to buy, reload and track their cards. Transit officials are aiming to have a Web site available by September 2009 that will allow riders to use credit cards to refill their SmarTrip cards and that will let them track their past transactions. ReadMore... The Incentives to Buy Hybrids Are Dwindling November 6, 2008 The clock is ticking. Car buyers have until the end of the year to get a tax credit for buying a Honda Civic hybrid, one of the more popular fuel-saving vehicles on the market. The dying tax credit is the latest in a series of changes chipping away at the financial incentives to buy a hybrid. Tax breaks tied to Toyota Motor Corp.'s strong-selling Prius, which gets about 46 miles a gallon, and its other hybrid models ended about a year ago. Now, the federal government is phasing out the same incentives on Honda Motor Co.'s Civic hybrid, which gets 42 miles a gallon. ReadMore... Fairfax eyes raising bus fares November 3, 2008; By Taryn Luntz Examiner Staff Writer A Fairfax County proposal to increase commuter bus fares also would raise Metrobus fares by between 25 and 35 percent along more than 20 county routes. The county pays Metro $44 million a year to subsidize 22 Metrobus routes that run solely inside Fairfax County, allowing the transit agency to charge $1 for a ride on those routes instead of the $1.35 fare that is standard in the rest of the region. ReadMore... Va. legislator wants to tax car mileage November 3, 2008; by Holly Hobbs @ Loudoun Times-Mirror The state is hemorrhaging money to pay for transportation projects. And with the state's budget facing almost a billion-dollar deficit, Del. David Poisson (D-northeastern Loudoun) says, it's time to plug the hole. Poisson proposed legislation Oct. 29 that would put a tax on automobile mileage. ReadMore... People really are driving less November 3, 2008; by Stephanie Mlot Fifteen billion may not seem like much, compared to the national debt -- which is upwards of $10 trillion. But when U.S. Transportation Secretary Mary Peters announced that Americans drove 15 billion fewer miles than a year ago, transportation projects felt the strain. ReadMore... Elimination of Paper Transfers Could Mean Windfall for Metro Tuesday, November 4, 2008; By Lena H. Sun Washington Post Metro officials estimate they could generate at least $5 million more a year in bus revenue by reducing fraud when the agency eliminates free bus-to-bus paper transfers in January, according to a staff analysis to be presented to a board committee Thursday. ReadMore... New Wilson Bridge nearly complete October 31, 2008; By Adam Tuss, WTOP Radio ALEXANDRIA, Va -- The brand new Woodrow Wilson Bridge, decades in the making, is getting ready for business. In just a few weeks, both spans of the bridge are expected to be carrying five lanes of traffic each way. Right now there are only three lanes open in each direction. ReadMore... Metro to Randomly Search Riders' Bags Tuesday, October 28, 2008; By Lena H. Sun Washington Post Metro officials yesterday announced plans to immediately begin random searches of backpacks, purses and other bags in a move they say will protect riders and also guard their privacy and minimize delays. The program is modeled after one begun three years ago in New York that has withstood legal challenges. However, experts said it is difficult to measure the effectiveness of such searches, beyond assuring the public that police are being vigilant. ReadMore... Breaking the Blue Line Jams Sunday, October 26, 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 choke point. ReadMore... Gas prices cut traffic; delays persist October 27, 2008; By Taryn Luntz Examiner Rush-hour traffic congestion has eased in the D.C. area as the result of this year’s swollen gas prices, but not as much as in most other cities, a new traffic study says. The amount of extra time commuters spend on the roads due to traffic dropped 23 percent in the first half of 2008 compared to the same months in 2007, according to traffic data provider INRIX. ReadMore... Big Yellow Taxis Are Turning Green Sunday, October 26, 2008; Forget yellow. Green is fast becoming the taxi color of choice -- at least in Earth-friendly Arlington. Alongside the hybrid cab service EnviroCab (703-920-3333), a host of other companies in the Virginia suburb are responding to customers who are signaling that eco-friendly taxis are no longer a luxury; they're a necessity for companies to compete. ReadMore.... Pedal Your Way to A Tax Break WASHINGTON, DC (WUSA) -- If you're looking for a way to put a little extra money in your pocket and help the environment, you might consider biking to work.And beginning in January, people who primarily ride their bike to work will be eligible for a $20 a month-tax free reimbursement for their employer. Read More... Loudoun County Targets Foreclosed Houses to Help Workers Buy Properties Sunday, October 5, 2008; By Christopher Twarowski Loudoun County officials are working out the details of a program to help public employees purchase foreclosed houses and have approved another measure aimed at encouraging public and private-sector workers to buy such properties. ReadMore... The Tysons Lunch Bunch: More Traffic At Midday Than in Morning Friday, October 24, 2008; By Eric M. Weiss So many workers drive to lunch in Tysons Corner that it has created a third rush hour during the middle of the day that actually exceeds the morning rush. Having so many of the approximately 115,000 Tysons workers on the road, often driving less than a mile to grab a sandwich, is complicating construction plans for a Metrorail extension and Capital Beltway toll lanes that will rip up the streets around the area. ReadMore... New Metrobus Design Is Ready to Roll Thursday, October 23, 2008 By Lena H. Sun Washington Post The first of Metro's new red-and-silver buses will hit the streets Monday, officials said yesterday. Fifteen of the ultra-long, accordion-style buses will travel the U8 line, which runs between the Capitol Heights Metro station in Prince George's County and Benning Heights in Southeast Washington. Beginning Nov. 3, two buses will be tested on the popular 5A express route that runs between the L'enfant Plaza Metro station and Dulles International Airport. ReadMore... Metro ditching paper bus transfers October 22, 2008; By Tiffany Sun Metrobus riders will have to rely exclusively on SmarTrip cards for bus transfers beginning in January.For now, riders get paper transfer slips from bus operators or from machines in Metro stations. The slips allow passengers to transfer between Metrobuses for free, and from Metrorail to Metrobus at a discount within two hours. Beginning Jan. 4, bus riders will have to use SmarTrip cards to get the discount. ReadMore... Purple Line to Require Demolition, Sound Walls Saturday, October 18, 2008; By Katherine Shaver and William Wan Washington Post Building the Purple Line through Montgomery and Prince George's counties could require demolishing up to 31 private properties, including some Silver Spring apartments, and constructing sound walls to shield residents from a high-pitched "squeal" noise caused by turning train wheels, according to a six-year state study released yesterday. ReadMore... Readying Rockville Pike for Renewal Sunday, October 19, 2008; By Miranda S. Spivack As you drive Rockville Pike and its asphalt jumble of car dealerships, strip shopping centers and fast-food restaurants, it's hard to imagine the six-lane thoroughfare as a grand boulevard. But that's the vision Montgomery County's planners have in mind. ReadMore... Readying Rockville Pike for Renewal Sunday, October 19, 2008; By Miranda S. Spivack As you drive Rockville Pike and its asphalt jumble of car dealerships, strip shopping centers and fast-food restaurants, it's hard to imagine the six-lane thoroughfare as a grand boulevard. But that's the vision Montgomery County's planners have in mind. ReadMore... VRE Endorses Fare Increase to Cover Shortfall Sunday, October 19, 2008; By Jennifer Buske Washington Post The Virginia Railway Express Operations Board voted Friday in favor of a 7 percent fare increase, recommending that the two commissions overseeing the board authorize the increase during their meeting next month. ReadMore... Funding for Furniture, Not Signs, Prompts Some Metro Riders to Question Priorities Monday, October 20, 2008; By Lena H. Sun Washington Post For nearly a year, Metro managers have not been able to find money to give riders something they have been asking for: big signs at station entrances declaring that it is illegal to eat and drink in the system. But during the same period, they spent $76,000 on office furniture and equipment to replace outdated items in two executive conference rooms. ReadMore... Proposed Road Standards Raise Safety Concerns in Montgomery County Thursday, October 16, 2008; By Katherine Shaver Washington Post An advisory panel proposed new standards yesterday that would determine how fast traffic could go and how close to roads trees could grow in Montgomery County, but some safety advocates criticized the plans, saying they were too dangerous for pedestrians and cyclists. ReadMore... Off the School Bus, Onto the Sidewalks Thursday, October 16, 2008; By Steve Hendrix Washington Post Two Maryland lawmakers want to boost state funding for sidewalks, crossing guards, traffic signals and other pedestrian improvements that they hope will encourage more Maryland students to walk or bike to school each day. ReadMore.. VDOT Gives Pavement Mix A Road Test Thursday, October 16, 2008; By Jonathan Mummolo Washington Post A 1.7-mile stretch in Prince William County might portend the future of roads in Northern Virginia. The Virginia Department of Transportation has refinished a section of the Route 234 bypass with a material called porous friction course, an asphalt-concrete mix that better absorbs road noise and drains water more easily than a typical road surface. The Manassas area section, between Balls Ford Road and Sudley Manor Drive, is a test case. ReadMore... Metro eyes adding 6 new express bus routes to schedule October 15, 2008; By Taryn Luntz Examiner Metro planners have created a tentative schedule for creating six new express bus routes over the next three years, part of a long-term proposal to dramatically increase the number of such routes in the region.A new limited-stop service on the S Line, which runs down 16th Street NW, would be running by the end of next year, according to the schedule. ReadMore.... MTA to cut commuter bus routes October 17, 2008; By Michael Dresser The Maryland Transit Administration is proposing to eliminate six commuter bus routes, reduce the number of rides on others and cut back on its increasingly popular MARC train service as a result of severe revenue shortfalls, the O'Malley administration announced yesterday.Among the services the MTA plans to drop are routes between Baltimore and Columbia, and Laurel and Bel Air. ReadMore... VRE to recommend another fare hike October 14, 2008; By Adam Tuss, WTOP Radio ALEXANDRIA, Va -- Fresh off a fare hike in July, Virginia Railway Express riders should once again brace themselves for higher prices. At a board meeting this Friday, VRE CEO Dale Zehner will recommend that the board of directors authorize a fare increase of 7 percent, starting January 1, 2009. ReadMore... Montgomery councilwoman peddles bike rental program October 9, 2008; By Kathleen Miller Examiner Staff Writer Montgomery County residents may be able to rent bikes near transit hubs in the coming year if a councilwoman finds support for her proposal to follow the District’s lead in adopting a SmartBike program. Councilwoman Valerie Ervin has asked county transportation officials to start a pilot program with about 500 bikes available for short-term rentals in Takoma Park, Wheaton, Silver Spring and Bethesda. ReadMore... Pr. William boosts parking fines, enforcement October 9, 2008; By David Sherfinski Examiner Staff Writer Prince William County officials voted Tuesday to impose fines for unpaid parking tickets and increase the time granted to citizens to pay them.Previously, citizens had just five days to pay fines for parking violations, but the county was limited in the way it could enforce the tickets. ReadMore... Pr. William Wants to Build 25 Centers Around Transit Thursday, October 9, 2008; By Kristen Mack The Washington Post Prince William County wants to reinvent itself, by centering growth in 25 walkable, environmentally friendly areas to reduce sprawl. Unlike similar projects across the region, which focus on one section of a county or town, the Prince William plan is more ambitious. ReadMore... Arlington, Annapolis Cited for 'Great Streets' Thursday, October 9, 2008; By Michael Laris The Washington Post Clarendon Boulevard is no Rodeo Drive. But the Arlington County thoroughfare, along with Wilson Boulevard, has gained fame in its own right. The Clarendon-Wilson corridor was named yesterday to the top 10 list of "Great Streets in America" by the American Planning Association. ReadMore... DMV's New Fee Structure Raises Costs Of Driving Thursday, October 9, 2008; By Stephen Lowman The Washington Post The D.C. Department of Motor Vehicles has raised fees for driver's licenses, but residents will be making fewer trips to the DMV because licenses will be valid longer. The changes are included in a new fee structure the DMV put in place at the beginning of the month. ReadMore... D.C. Council approves fees for rush hour towing October8, 2008; By Michael Neibauer The era of the free rush hour “relocation” tow is nearly over. The D.C. Council on Tuesday tentatively approved legislation establishing a “vehicle conveyance fee,” perhaps as much as $100, for relocating an illegally parked car during the morning or evening rush hours. The still-to-be-established fee would be on top of the $100 ticket that all drivers receive for leaving their cars in designated rush hour lanes between 7 and 9:30 a.m. and 4 and 6:30 p.m. ReadMore... Metro may add line, increasing Blue Line wait times October8, 2008; By Taryn Luntz Metro may add a new color to its rail map, creating a shortcut for some riders while leaving some Blue Line commuters waiting longer for rush-hour trains, officials said Tuesday.Transit planners are recommending creating a new rail line. Some northbound Blue Line trains would reroute at the Pentagon to L’Enfant Plaza, then follow the Yellow and Green lines’ route to Greenbelt in Maryland. ReadMore... Traffic Cure Worsens the Pain Monday, October 6, 2008; By Eric M. Weiss So much traffic clogs Washington area roads that Cox Communications has to use 20 percent more trucks here to serve the same number of customers as in other regions. Metro has to add an average of 10 buses a year, at $521,980 a pop, just to maintain rush-hour schedules that have slipped because of congestion. ReadMore... Senate Approves $1.5 Billion Plan For Metro Funding Thursday, October 2, 2008; By Lena H. Sun The U.S. Senate voted last night to authorize long-sought federal funding for Washington's cash-strapped and aging Metro system, clearing a major hurdle toward providing $1.5 billion over 10 years to help maintain the nation's second-busiest rail system. ReadMore... Senate sends rail safety bill to Bush Wednesday, October 1, 2008; By ANDREW TAYLOR WASHINGTON -- A sweeping rail safety reform bill that envisions billions of dollars for Amtrak easily cleared the Senate Wednesday, its passage helped by the Sept. 12 train collision in Los Angeles that killed 25 people. ReadMore... Enterprise Plans to Expand Car-Sharing Business in U.S. Wednesday, October 1, 2008; After taking baby steps into the car-sharing business earlier this year, Enterprise Rent-A-Car Co. says it is pushing a little further into the growing industry.The company plans to launch WeCar branches at several partner businesses around the country after operating a pilot car-sharing program at Washington University's campus in St. Louis. ReadMore... Va., U.S. To Spend $13 Million On Upgrade Wednesday, October 1, 2008; By Anita Kumar Washington Post RICHMOND, Sept. 30 -- The state and federal governments will spend $13 million to improve passenger rail service south of Fredericksburg as part of a multiyear project to make trains faster and ease traffic in Northern Virginia. ReadMore... Take a hike: Walking becomes Md.'s official exercise October 1, 2008 By JENN BOGDAN ANNAPOLIS, Md. - In case you didn't know, as of Wednesday, walking is the official exercise of Maryland. So, dust off those walking shoes and get ready to show state pride. But before taking that heart-healthy walk, don't forget to eat a piece of Smith Island Cake, designated the state dessert in April. ReadMore... Union Station celebrates 100 years September 30, 2008; By SARAH KARUSH WASHINGTON - Less than 30 years ago, Union Station, the grand gateway to the nation's capital, seemed to be going the way of the steam engine. Like passenger rail itself, the Beaux Arts building was in decline, with chunks of the ceiling falling off and mushrooms growing on the floor. ReadMore... Metro adds additional buses to crowded Dulles route September 28, 2008 WASHINGTON - Metrobus riders who frequent the Dulles line will have some added room starting Monday. Three eastbound and three westbound trips have been added to the weekday schedule on the 5A bus route to help reduce crowding. ReadMore... Transit Transitions in Silver Spring Sunday, September 28, 2008; Construction of the new Silver Spring Transit Center will be starting the first of October. The center will be a three-tier, pedestrian- and bike-friendly Transit Center supporting rail traffic (Metro and MARC), bus service (WMATA, Ride-on, MTA bus, Van-Go Shuttle and intercity), taxis and kiss & ride drop-offs, according to the county Department of Transportation. Hiker and biker trail enhancements and retail space are also included in the design concept. ReadMore... Prince William officials OK increase in taxi fares September 24, 2008; By David Sherfinski Examiner Staff Writer Prince William County officials Tuesday approved a measure to raise taxicab fares starting Wednesday.The county’s previous taxi fares were $1.80 per mile and 15 cents for every 27 seconds of waiting time, or $20 per hour. The adopted amendments would increase the fare to $2 per mile and 20 cents per 32 seconds of waiting time, or $22.50 per hour. ReadMore... D.C. maintains rank as nation’s second-longest commute September 23, 2008; By Taryn Luntz Examiner Staff Writer Washingtonians have the second-longest commutes in the nation and spend an average of 33.4 minutes getting to work every day, according to the latest statistics from the U.S. Census Bureau. The 2007 survey figures place the region just behind the New York metropolitan area, whose commuters clock in at an average of 34.8 minutes on the way to work. ReadMore... Green City-Style Tysons Plan Wins Fairfax's Approval Tuesday, September 23, 2008; By Amy Gardner and Sandhya Somashekhar The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors yesterday approved an ambitious vision for transforming Tysons Corner from a sprawling office and retail suburb to a modern, environmentally green city with neighborhoods, sidewalk culture, new jobs and the arts -- and less driving. ReadMore... Metro's $11 Billion To-Do List Tuesday, September 23, 2008; By Lena H. Sun Washington Post Metro needs more than $11 billion over 10 years to maintain, expand and improve train, bus and paratransit service, General Manager John B. Catoe Jr. said yesterday -- more than double what it has spent on capital investment, on average, since 2002. ReadMore... Monday is Worldwide Car Free Day – Video Clip World Car-Free Day prods thinking September 21, 2008 I hadn't heard of this event until last week, but I thought it fit right in with our commuting theme. The sponsors of World Car-Free Day explain it as follows: "One day every year, people from all over the globe gather together in the street, intersections and neighborhood blocks to remind the world that we don't have to accept living in a car-dominated society. As the climate heats up, this kind of event is the perfect way to take the heat off the planet, and put it on city planners and politicians to give priority to cycling, walking and public transport instead of to the automobile." ReadMore... Officials Promote 'Car Free D.C. Day' September 20, 2008 The project promotes using sustainable means of transportation and raising awareness about cars' impact on people's quality of life. Organizers say D.C. is among dozens of other cities that are taking part with car-free events. Among the efforts encouraging people to join in, D.C. Council member Muriel Bowser plans to distribute free SmarTrip cards with $1.25 each for those riding the Metro Extra bus route 79, and the Metrobus routes 70 and 71 at Kennedy and Georgia Avenue in northwest D.C. ReadMore.... Officials Ask Commuters to Go “Car Free” for One Monday September 22, 2008 - WASHINGTON District of Columbia officials are encouraging residents to leave their cars parked for a "Car Free Day" on Monday. Officials are calling on commuters to bike, ride the rails or walk, but please don't drive. September 22 is "Car Free" day in the District and other cities, meant to encourage commuters to leave their cars at home. ReadMore... Dr. Gridlock’s Tips – Car Free Monday Sunday, September 21, 2008; You can always break the car habit on your own, but tomorrow's Worldwide Car Free Day offers some group activities as well. The District has a celebration scheduled from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. tomorrow at Seventh and F streets NW. There will be live music, yoga classes, free T-shirts and other giveaways. ReadMore... SmarTrip Upgrades Pushed To 2010 Monday, September 22, 2008; By Lena H. Sun Washington Post Metro is overhauling the office in charge of the popular SmarTrip electronic fare cards after internal audits found that failures by the main contractor and agency managers have added at least $2 million in costs and three years in delays for long-awaited, customer-friendly features. ReadMore... Legislation attempts to solve church parking issues September 21, 2008; By Michael Neibauer Examiner Staff Proponents hope legislation now before the D.C. Council will finally end the weekly friction between Sunday churchgoers and District residents over neighborhood parking. But is it really the silver bullet? Probably not, observers say. ReadMore... D.C. Council OKs massive increase in driving fines September 21, 2008; By Taryn Luntz Examiner Staff The D.C. Council has approved a fivefold increase in the fine for drivers who fail to yield to pedestrians, bringing the $50 penalty for such infractions to $250 and three license points in an effort to curb the city’s escalating number of pedestrian deaths. ReadMore Cities rethink wisdom of 50s-era parking standards September 22, 2008; By SARAH KARUSH WASHINGTON (AP) - Alice and Jeff Speck didn't have a car and didn't want one. But District of Columbia zoning regulations required them to carve out a place to park one at the house they were building. It would have eaten up precious space on their odd-shaped lot and marred the aesthetics of their neighborhood, dominated by historic row houses. ReadMore... Board Rejects Bike Path Site Near Connector Friday, September 19, 2008; By Katherine Shaver Washington Post The Montgomery County Planning Board recommended yesterday that a bike path planned near the intercounty connector be built primarily along other local roads, saying a trail adjacent to the 18.8-mile highway would be too harmful to some county parkland. ReadMore... VRE's ridership sets August record September 18, 2008; by Adam Tuss, WTOP Radio ALEXANDRIA, Va. -- Public transportation systems around the region continue to set records when it comes to ridership. The latest is Virginia Railway Express. Statistics from VRE show average ridership in August was more than 15,200 -- the highest August ever. ReadMore...
Commuters Scramble on Day Two of Fairfax Connector Strike Wednesday, September 17, 2008; By Eric M. Weiss and Michael Birnbaum Commuters who rely on Fairfax Connector bus service scrambled for a second day yesterday as bus drivers continued a strike that forced the cancellation of 16 routes and placed an additional eight on a reduced schedule. ReadMore...
Gas Prices Continue to Rise as Hurricane Destroys Oil Facilities Monday, September 15, 2008; By Nancy Trejos and Spencer S. Hsu Washington Post Gasoline prices once again soared across the country yesterday as federal officials said a preliminary survey of damage found that a number of production platforms in the Gulf of Mexico had been destroyed by Hurricane Ike. ReadMore...
Pr. William may suspend roads projects over budget woes September 13, 2008; By David Sherfinski Examiner Staff Writer Prince William County is planning to freeze hiring in a transportation program and has indefinitely stopped numerous roads projects as budget concerns mount. Seven road projects are on hold due to a lack of revenues from bond sales, including Route 28, Route 1 and Prince William Parkway. ReadMore...
Montgomery County Eyes Parking Space Taxes September 13, 2008; By Kathleen Miller Examiner Staff Writer Montgomery County Council members are considering taxing businesses’ parking spaces to make up for millions in transportation funding cuts from state officials.The funding shortfalls also have officials considering public-private partnerships to build roads. Virginia has partnered with private-sector firms to build toll lanes on the Capital Beltway and the expansion of Metrorail to Washington Dulles International Airport. ReadMore...
D.C.'s new evacuation signs already getting criticism September 15, 2008; by Adam Tuss, WTOP Radio WASHINGTON -- D.C.'s new evacuation signs -- designed to direct drivers out of harm's way in the event of an emergency -- are already being met with criticism.City leaders will officially unveil the signs Monday, but WTOP has the first look at the new signs from the District Department of Transportation. ReadMore...
Pedestrian Safety Efforts Move Along in Montgomery Sunday, September 14, 2008; Montgomery County this month highlighted initiatives that are part of its long- term program to improve pedestrian safety. On the way to one of those announcements, County Executive Isiah Leggett said, he witnessed the aftermath of the county's latest pedestrian injury. So far this year, 13 pedestrians have been killed in Montgomery. Last year, 17 died. ReadMore...
Metro to close Yellow Line bridge for maintenance September 12, 2008 WASHINGTON (AP) - Metro says it will close the Yellow Line rail bridge over the Potomac River this weekend for an inspection and maintenance work.The Yellow Line will operate only between the Huntington and Arlington Cemetery stations from 10 p.m. Friday until midnight Sunday. Passengers will be required to transfer to the Blue Line at Arlington National Cemetery. ReadMore...
Montgomery workers may switch to 4-day workweek to reduce traffic September 11, 2008 By Kathleen Miller Examiner Staff Writer Montgomery County government workers will be encouraged to switch to a four-day workweek under a new plan by County Executive Ike Leggett that won’t cut government costs, but will reduce traffic and save workers cash. Right now, 11 percent of the county’s roughly 10,000 employees work four 10-hour days a week. Leggett says county government will still operate five days a week, but the push is necessary to help workers save money while gas prices remain high, and take cars off the road to lessen gridlock and help the environment. ReadMore... 9/11 Ceremony Prompts Road Closers Near Pentagon The Virginia Department of Transportation is urging motorists to use transit, telework or seek alternate routes around the Pentagon on September 11 due to the memorial dedication that is scheduled for that morning. ReadMore...
Traveling Through — Online ride-matching system launched September 07, 2008 On the day of the year AAA calls "Terrible Traffic Tuesday," Commuter Connections launched a free ride-matching system that will make it easier than ever for area commuters to find nearby carpoolers.The Sept. 2 launch of Commuter Connections TDM, a transportation demand management system, is the first time commuters have direct access online to real-time information on people they may be able to commute with, said Kimberly Alleyne of New York's Arch Street Communications. ReadMore....
Updated Ridematching Services Launches Tuesday, September 2, 2008; WASHINGTON (AP) -- The Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments unveiled an improved ride-matching service Tuesday at a time when officials say high gas prices have triggered a surge in demand for car pools. ReadMore... D.C. area unveils revamped ride-sharing site September 2, 2008 By SARAH KARUSH WASHINGTON (AP) - The Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments unveiled an improved ride-matching service Tuesday at a time when officials say high gas prices have triggered a surge in demand for car pools. The council presented the revamped Commuter Connections Web site after a quiet launch last month. ReadMore... Lacking incentives, cyclists turn bikes into bucks August 27, 2008 By CHRISSIE THOMPSON BETHESDA, Md. (AP) - As a federal employee, Marc Gwadz could receive a stipend to take public transportation to work every day. But since Gwadz rides his bicycle - a more healthy and environmentally friendly approach - he's on his own to cover expenses. ReadMore...
Weekend Track Work Is Expected to Disrupt Trips to National Airport Wednesday, August 27, 2008; By Lena H. Sun Travelers planning to take Metrorail to Reagan National Airport for a Labor Day weekend getaway take note: Add 30 minutes to your travel time because major track work on the Blue and Yellow lines will shut down service to the airport from Alexandria and points south on those lines. ReadMore...
Study Links Increasing Fuel Costs To Steep Drop in Traffic Fatalities Tuesday, August 26, 2008; by Jonathan Mummolo Washington Post Motorists continue to grumble about record high gas prices, but a new study suggests there is at least one benefit: Fewer traffic fatalities. ReadMore...
What happens when HOT lanes can't deliver? August 26, 2008 by Adam Tuss, WTOP Radio WASHINGTON -- The high occupancy toll lanes that are being built on the Capital Beltway could take a hefty bite out of drivers' wallets in exchange for a speedy commute. But what happens if the HOT lanes can no longer promise that quick ride? ReadMore...
I-66 drivers could see a smoother commute August 14, 2008 by Adam Tuss, WTOP Radio WASHINGTON - Drivers who take Interstate 66 to and from work know it can be an extremely frustrating ride, but the Virginia Department of Transportation is trying to smooth out the commute. ReadMore...
D.C. Bike Sharing Kicks Into High Gear Wednesday, August 13, 2008; By Elissa Silverman Washington Post Declare the District's urban-cool inferiority complex officially over. Today the city will join the ranks of Paris and Barcelona with the launch of the first high-tech public bike-sharing program in the United States, forcing such cities as San Francisco and Chicago to look here to see chic alternative transportation in action in America. ReadMore...
Fewer Americans hit the road in June Aug 13, 2008; By JOAN LOWY WASHINGTON (Map, News) - As summer vacation season kicked in, Americans got out of their cars, driving 12.2 billion fewer miles in June than the same month a year earlier.The 4.7 percent decline, which came while gas prices were peaking, was the biggest monthly driving drop in a downward trend that began in November, the Federal Highway Administration said Wednesday. ReadMore...
Tysons Plan Poised To Move Forward Tuesday, August 12, 2008; by Amy Gardner Washington Post The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors could approve plans as early as next month that would allow developers to transform traffic-clogged Tysons Corner from suburb to city, but critics are growing louder in their opposition to a vision that they say will ruin Tysons and surrounding communities. ReadMore...
Metro cracking down on speeding bus drivers Aug 11, 2008 by Taryn Luntz, The Examiner WASHINGTON (Map, News) - Metro officials are cracking down on speeding bus drivers by using speed guns to monitor them on their routes. “We had some issues with customer complaints dealing with the speed of our bus drivers,” Metrobus Assistant General Superintendent Ted Harris said. “Internally, we determined that we needed to be a little more diligent in monitoring our drivers’ speed.” ReadMore...
Catching a cab in Fairfax Co. gets more costly August 5, 2008 It will soon cost more to take a cab in Fairfax County.The county Board of Supervisors has granted emergency authority to cab operators to add $1 to every cab fare to cover rising gasoline prices. ReadMore... SmartBike pedaling rental service in D.C. August 6, 2008 by Mark Segraves, WTOP Radio WASHINGTON - The first bike sharing program in the nation is ready for business in downtown D.C. As first reported by the website DCist, Smartbike will have ten locations around the District where the public will be able to rent bikes for personal use. ReadMore... Drivers parked in D.C. street cleaning zones start getting Sweepcam warnings in the mail Aug 5, 2008 by Taryn Luntz, The Examiner WASHINGTON (Map, News) - The District Department of Public Works began issuing warnings Monday to drivers whose cars are caught parked illegally in street sweeping zones by the city’s new sweeper-mounted cameras. ReadMore... New fly-over ramp in MD creates congestion, fires up drivers August 7, 2008 by Adam Tuss, WTOP Radio
Montgomery Co. council president Knapp touts HOT lanes to ease traffic woes Aug 3, 2008 by Joy Pavelski, The Examiner Montgomery County (Map, News) - Montgomery County Council President Mike Knapp believes a hefty initial investment in high-traffic toll lanes may be worth it to ease the county’s transportation struggles on its portion of the Capital Beltway. ReadMore.... Maryland eyes funding to fix aging bridges ANNAPOLIS | While few of the 20 busiest Maryland bridges that are structurally deficient have been fixed, others are under construction and about half are in the design stage to receive new bridge decks, a process that could take up to five years for some projects. ReadMore... Montgomery County speed cameras nab 20,000 per month July 29, 2008 ROCKVILLE, Md. - Montgomery County's speed cameras are catching nearly 20,000 speeders every month. The county is the first Maryland jurisdiction authorized to deploy the cameras. ReadMore.... Area drivers log fewer miles in May, part of national trend Jul 29, 2008 by Taryn Luntz WASHINGTON (Map, News) - Washington-area drivers logged significantly fewer miles in May than they did a year earlier, part of a national trend that transportation leaders say looks poised to continue. ReadMore... Traveling Through Frederick County July 27, 2008 Prince William County Bus fare increases being proposed Jul 28, 2008 by David Sherfinski, The Examiner WASHINGTON (Map, News) - Bus fares might be going up for commuters and intra-county passengers in Prince William County.The Potomac and Rappahannock Transportation Commission is anticipating a $1.6 million shortfall in its 2009 budget due to skyrocketing diesel fuel prices and a surge in ridership. ReadMore.... Md., Va. commuter trains suffer delay-heavy June Jul 28, 2008 by Taryn Luntz, The Examiner WASHINGTON (Map, News) - More than one out of every four MARC commuter trains ran behind schedule in June — a dismal rate that has prompted the head of the system to send a letter apologizing for the “anxiety, frustration and inconvenience” the delays caused riders. ReadMore... Teleworkers Say It's A Gas-Gas-Gas Saver Sunday, July 27, 2008; By Matt Zapotosky Washington Post Even in her 47-miles-to-the-gallon Toyota Prius, budget analyst Christina Tolson said, she knew she was spending too much on gas driving to and from the District every day. ReadMore... Bicycle Safety Hits Close to Home Tuesday, July 29, 2008; by Moira E.Mclaughlin Washington Post I am waiting for my husband to ask me quietly whether I might reconsider biking to work, something I have been doing for about three years. ReadMore... Reimbursements, ride sharing grow in popularity Friday, July25, 2008- by Kevin James Shay Some employers who can’t embrace telework are finding other ways to help their workers deal with soaring gas costs.The Rockville law firm of Stein, Sperling, Bennett, De Jong, Driscoll and Greenfeig launched a program in June to compensate non-lawyer staff members with a supplemental gas reimbursement payment each month. ReadMore....
Making telework work Friday, July25, 2008- by Kevin James Shay As gasoline costs and other expenses rise, more companies and their employees are finding payoffs in telecommuting.Three years ago, the eight employees at OLS Trading worked in a 20,000-square-foot Gaithersburg office and warehouse, liquidating businesses’ fixtures, furniture and electronic equipment that usually wind up in landfills. Read More.... Cost of Living: Cost of Your Commute
New Metro bus style gets public debut Jul 22, 2008 WASHINGTON , Taryn Luntz , Metro WASHINGTON (Map, News) - Metro showed off a sleek silver-and-red design for its buses Monday, the first tangible step in what officials have promised will be a new era of comfort, speed and reliability for the agency’s notoriously unpredictable bus network. ReadMore... Work Bound Riders Slug It Out on I-95 Jul 20, 2008 ; By KELLY HANNON Weekday mornings before the sun rises, lines form in parking lots from Garrisonville Road in Stafford County south to Gordon Road in Spotsylvania County. There's little conversation among the men and women in their professional attire and the occasional military uniform. It's summer, so it's slightly casual: fewer ties, more open-toed sandals on women. ReadMore...
Arlington Transit bus drivers strike July 21, 2008 ARLINGTON, Va.- Supervisors are driving some routes as bus drivers in Arlington went on strike Monday. While some regular drivers are on the road, the bus system also is running fewer buses on some routes. ReadMore... 6 Jailed In Metro Farecard Scheme Saturday, July 19, 2008; By Lena H. Sun Washington Post Metro Transit Police have arrested six people in an elaborate fare card scam that has so far netted the agency $16,000 worth of stolen Farecards, officials said yesterday. The investigation is ongoing, and officials do not know how much the counterfeit operation has cost the agency. ReadMore... Delays expected on Metro's blue and yellow lines Jul 20, 2008 WASHINGTON (Map, News) - Metro says riders on the blue and yellow lines can expect delays this weekend due to track maintenance. ReadMore... D.C. drivers most accident-prone in nation, insurance study finds Jul 21, 2008 by Taryn Luntz, The Examiner WASHINGTON (Map, News) - D.C. drivers are more likely to be in auto accidents than drivers in any other city in the country, and Alexandria and Arlington drivers follow closely behind, according to a new study. ReadMore... Toll-Lanes Contract Could Cost State: Deal to Allow Free Carpooling on Beltway Project Might Leave Va. Owing Millions Sunday, July 20, 2008; By Eric M. Weiss Washington Post Rising gas prices are increasing transit and carpool use, which normally would be a good thing in the traffic-choked Washington region. ReadMore.... By Taxi, Expanding National Harbor's Reach Sunday, July 20, By Nelson Hernandez Washington Post If you're looking for the wonder in taking a water taxi across the Potomac, perhaps it is best to look at the journey through the eyes of a 4-year-old. ReadMore...
Code Red Air Quality Day July 18, 2008 - WASHINGTON The Department of Human Services in D.C. is activating the District Heat Emergency plan today, since temperatures are expected to reach 97 degrees and the heat index will approach 100 degrees. ReadMore... Streetcars Could Be Running on DC Roads by Late Next Year Sunday, July 13, by Lena H. Sun Washington Post The District's on-again, off-again streetcar project has reached a critical stage: Officials are to unseal bids next month and award a contract this fall for construction of tracks and other infrastructure. Three new modern streetcars have been bought and are sitting in storage in the Czech Republic. ReadMore... Pr. William, Loudoun plan to raise bus fares to offset expenses Jul 14, 2008 by David Sherfinski, The Examiner WASHINGTON (Map, News) - Bus fare increases are being planned in Prince William and Loudoun counties to offset a recent spike in fuel prices and increased ridership. ReadMore.... How To Beat The High Price of Gas Sunday, July 13, 2008; With gas prices at record levels and traffic congestion worsening, we've pulled together some options for commuters trying to save time and money. Whether you want to carpool, bike, take transit or telecommute, the Washington region offers a variety of choices. ReadMore... Masses flock to Metro Jul 9, 2008 by Taryn Luntz, The Examiner WASHINGTON (Map, News) - Metro steamrolled through yet another ridership record, carrying 7 million more passengers over the past year than during any other time in the rail system’s 32-year history, transit agency officials said Tuesday. ReadMore... Bicyclist killed in garbage-truck crash Jul 9, 2008 by Scott McCabe, The Examiner WASHINGTON (Map, News) - A 22-year-old bicyclist was killed near Dupont Circle when she was struck by a garbage truck early Tuesday. ReadMore... Metro testing out system aimed at timely bus service Jul 8, 2008 by Taryn Luntz, The Examiner WASHINGTON (Map, News) - Metro is testing a new system that for the first time will give transit officials the ability to gauge how far Metrobuses deviate from their planned schedules. ReadMore... DC studies changes to improve pedestrian safety July 5, 2008 WASHINGTON (AP) - City transportation officials are studying changes along key commuting routes as they try to improve pedestrian safety in Washington. ReadMore... How to get your boss to buy into telecommuting |