Speciality wraped Metrorail train with doors open in Spring of 2023 by Kristen Jeffers used with permission.

WMATA pursuing automated Metrorail doors this year, but automated operation is delayed until next year

While WMATA previously hoped to reintroduce automated trains by this fall, the agency has announced a further delay into the first quarter of 2024 to ensure safety standards are met. However, the agency is closer to implementing automated door opening and closing this fall to aid in faster operations of the system. (This article may be behind a paywall)  (Justin George / Post)  

Metrorail’s wayfinding signage experiment begins at L’Enfant Plaza

Metrorail’s new sign pilot has begun at L’Enfant Plaza, along with opportunities to provide feedback on the nature of the changes. Although the changes are mainly targeted at tourists and residents who aren’t involved with the governance and improvement of stations, several WMATA leaders remarked during Thursday’s board meeting that they too have struggled to navigate stations.  (Tom Roussey / WJLA)  

Maryland is $2.1 billion short on transportation funding for approved projects

The shortfall amounts to 10% of the $21 billion worth of transportation projects already approved — and does not count major Moore administration goals like the Baltimore Red Line and American Legion bridge replacement. The reduction in gas tax revenue and rising construction costs are being blamed for the shortfall. (This article may be behind a paywall)  (Post)  

Four stations on the Red Line’s west end will be closed this weekend

The Metro stations at Shady Grove, Rockville, Twinbrook, and North Bethesda will be closed on Saturday and Sunday as WMATA mechanics replace the interlocking switches outside Twinbrook. The agency will provide free shuttle buses to affected riders.  (Michelle Queen / Montgomery Community Media)  

Residents at Groveton apartment complex protest rent increases

Residents of the Lafayette Apartments in Groveton, in Fairfax County, gathered together on September 7 to protest higher rents amid deteriorating living conditions. While management claims the 10% rent increase is within the limits for affordable housing, residents have pointed to broken amenities, rodent infestations, and other conditions making quality of living worse.  (Angela Woolsey / FFXNow)  

Teenage cyclist injured in Alexandria collision

On Wednesday evening, a driver who was pulling out of a parking lot onto Mount Vernon Avenue in Arlandria collided with a 14-year-old cyclist. The teenage boy was transported to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. The driver, who stayed at the scene, has not been charged.  (James Cullum / ALXNow)  

New legislation would increase Montgomery County’s tipped minimum wage

On Tuesday, legislators in the Montgomery County Council introduced a bill that would raise the minimum wage for tipped workers, following in the footsteps of DC’s Initiative 82. If passed, the bill would raise the tipped minimum wage from $4/hour to $6/hour, with an annual increase of $2 until it matches the standard minimum wage.  (Ginny Bixby / MoCo360)  

Have a tip for the links? Submit it here.