Category: Regional and Federal

COMMENTS: Union Station SDEIS (Support)

Today, the new project vision defined in the FRA’s Supplemental Draft EIS (SDEIS) Preferred Alternative F presents a bold vision for the next century of Union Station’s existence and success, and will gain broad public and political support. The revised SDEIS Preferred Alternative includes major improvements we support the FRA including in the Final EIS:

CSG RELEASE: Failure cannot be an option for Metro funding

CSG RELEASE: Failure cannot be an option for Metro funding

Metro’s projected $750 million fiscal cliff for FY25 would dramatically reduce service: no service after 9:30pm, only 37 (out of 135) bus lines, and 20- to 30-minute wait times. We are calling on elected officials to take immediate action and come up with a long-term and dedicated funding solution for operating needs.

CSG Letter on Better Bus Visionary Network Redesign

Among the many changes proposed in the draft Visionary Network, CSG would like to highlight and commend the recommendation of higher frequency bus service and increased use of dedicated bus lanes. In addition to higher frequency bus service, the Visionary Network would expand weekend, overnight, and off-peak service.

TAKE ACTION: Fix our region’s multi-billion $ transportation plan

TAKE ACTION: Fix our region’s multi-billion $ transportation plan

You have a chance now to speak out against wasteful road expansion and FOR smart growth, with better transit, safer streets for walking and biking, and also better maintaining the roads we’ve already built to handle climate change. With so much at stake, including our regional goals for climate, equity, safety and reducing sprawl, your voice is critical.

COMMENTS: Implementing environmental justice goals for frontline communities near transportation sources

Nine major national and regional transportation, environmental, and environmental justice organizations today issued a statement on implementing environmental justice goals for frontline communities near transportation sources, such as major highways, rail yards, and ports. The White House Environmental Justice Advisory Council (WHEJAC) will meet later this week to consider this and other comments as they advise federal agencies on new policy and programs.

RELEASE: CODE RED/PURPLE – Time to slash region’s transportation emissions

RELEASE: CODE RED/PURPLE – Time to slash region’s transportation emissions

“The CODE RED and now CODE PURPLE air quality alerts for our region must be a wake up call for our region’s elected officials,” said Stewart Schwartz, Executive Director of CSG. “Increased forest fires fueled by climate change are putting human health at risk on top of increases in severe floods, sea level rise affecting our region, more frequent drought affecting food production, and increases in insect-borne diseases.”

TAKE ACTION: Provide input on a visionary bus network for our region!

TAKE ACTION: Provide input on a visionary bus network for our region!

Metro has released a draft Visionary Network for the region that represents what could be accomplished if we boosted bus funding by 35% across the region: a faster, more frequent, and reliable bus network with increased weekend and 24-hour service! Your input on this visionary bus network is essential! Feedback will be used to make additional improvements to the proposal, and high engagement will show leaders across our region the urgency of funding a frequent, reliable, improved bus network. 

Bike bike baby: How Greater Washington can boost the e-bike revolution

Shifting trips to walking and biking through active transportation investments and land use planning is perhaps the most cost effective way to reduce transportation emissions. Plus, e-bikes use a tiny fraction of the limited and often environmentally costly battery minerals that go into e-cars. Many residents can’t afford an electric car (or any new car) – and already shell out a lot on cars, reducing our region’s affordability – but can afford an e-bike.