Category: Better Public Transit

RELEASE: New Transit Access to Opportunity Data for the Seven Highest-Ridership Cities

“The Washington DC Metro’s strategy of increasing frequency, expanding service with 24-hour routes, and providing low-income fare passes is working,” said Stewart Schwartz, Executive Director of the Coalition for Smarter Growth in Washington DC. “TransitCenter’s updated Transportation Equity Dashboard shows that the average DC area resident has much-improved access to jobs. Alexandria’s new DASH Bus network and free fares also contributed to much-improved access, with both systems showing the greatest benefits for Black and lower-income workers. This report shows the value of investing in Metro and our local bus systems, including the importance of finding 35% more bus operating funds for Metro to implement its Visionary Bus Network.”

STATEMENT: Officials express strong support for Metrorail on the Woodrow Wilson Bridge and for transit-oriented development

The massive number of public comments submitted — totalling 1200 pages which ran over two to one against VDOT”s current 495 Southside Toll Lanes proposal – showed the broad public support for Metrorail and TOD and concerns about the toll lanes. However, the resolution to add the 495 Toll Lanes Southside project to the Visualize 2050 draft list of projects lacks firm commitments for VDOT to study alternatives to highway widening with HOT lanes, and leaves at risk future Metrorail on the Wilson Bridge.

Remarks to DMV Moves (long-term funding taskforce)

Remarks to DMV Moves (long-term funding taskforce)

Access to frequent, affordable transit is key for access to jobs and enabling people to escape poverty. Affordable transit combined with affordable housing results in lower combined housing and transportation costs, provides for family security, and enables families and children to succeed. Our transportation network would not work without frequent and extensive transit.

Joint Letter to COG-WMATA re Table for LT Metro Funding

The undersigned groups commend regional elected officials and staff for identifying $480 million in funding to support WMATA FY25 operations. Our non-profit and labor organizations worked to support this additional funding, as we did during the successful effort to win $500 million in capital funding in 2018. However, we all recognize that the region needs to once and for all identify a long-term, sustainable, reliable, dedicated funding solution for WMATA.