Dupont Circle Metro station under the haze of smoke on June 8, 2023 by angela n. licensed under Creative Commons.

WMATA works to secure more funding as rail and bus ridership rebuilds

WMATA’s leaders are in the process of putting together a presentation for elected officials across the region in an attempt to secure additional funding for the agency. WMATA projects a shortfall of more than $700 million next year and anticipates future shortfalls in its operations and capital budgets. Rail ridership has increased following its pandemic decline, though it has not reached pre-pandemic numbers, while bus ridership is outpacing pre-pandemic 2019 numbers. (Editor’s note: Tracy Hadden Loh, the chair of our board of directors, is also on the WMATA board).  (Justin George / Post)  

Hazardous air quality has greatest effect on DC’s unhoused residents

DC’s air quality this week is hazardous for everyone — especially those in high-risk groups — but the area’s unhoused residents are facing the worst of it. Shelters may not have the ability to house everyone who needs it, meaning some are forced to breathe toxic air. In response, mutual aid groups and shelters have distributed high-quality masks and taken other steps to assist.  (Aja Drain / DCist)  

DC Streetcar extension delayed

The DC Council has again voted to delay extending the DC Streetcar to the Benning Road Metro station, citing budget constraints and the Streetcar’s lack of connectivity, while voicing support for its eventual extension. Proponents of extending the streetcar point out that it would bring additional transportation to an area where many residents don’t own cars, and that continuing delays may prevent the extension from happening altogether.  (Martin Austermuhle / DCist)  

Annandale plaza to reduce parking spaces and make space for outdoor dining

The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors unanimously voted to reduce the number of parking spaces at Annandale’s Seoul Plaza to make room for outdoor dining space. The decision reflects a greater trend of reducing parking spots and car lanes in order to accommodate patrons and pedestrians and the county’s efforts to make more outdoor dining permanent.  (Melanie Pincus / FFXNow)  

Transit group makes recommendations for bus service on Duke Street

The Duke Street Transitway Advisory Group will submit its official recommendations regarding bus service on Alexandria’s Duke Street to the City Council later this month. If enacted, these changes could significantly reduce the commute for bus riders.  (Alexandria Living)  

Montgomery County residents gather to remember loved ones fatally struck by drivers

Last Saturday, Families for Safe Streets gathered in Rockville Town Center Plaza to remember pedestrians and cyclists killed by drivers. Along with several other civic groups, they called for elected officials to take action to make streets safer. The rally comes amongst the shadow of 238 incidents involving drivers and pedestrians/cyclists, including six fatalities this year alone.  (Elia Griffin / MoCo360)  

Fairland and Briggs Chaney Master Plan aims to improve transportation, food, and other access points

The Montgomery County Planning Board has approved the first draft of the Fairland-Briggs Chaney master plan update, its first in 25 years. The plan as proposed seeks to make Route 29, the primary means of transportation in and out of the area, a “transit-first” corridor, along with creating more trails, sidewalks, tree canopy, community gathering spaces, and housing along the corridor and out of the corridor. The Montgomery County Council will hold a series of public meetings about it ahead of their decision on the final plan later this year.  (Elia Griffin / MoCo360)  

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