photo by Jeff Vincent

“Dear PoPville,

Since MetroHero shutdown back in July, I was wondering what the people say is the next best Metro app.

I’ve used CityMapper, and it’s ok, but wanted to know what other metro location alternatives people are using and what the pros/cons are. Read More

photo by Erin

From WMATA:

“Trying to figure out the various Metrobus routes can be a puzzle with a mix of letters, numbers, and street names, express or limited-stop service. This outdated naming convention dates to Metro’s takeover of the region’s private bus companies and street cars and is about to get a refresh. For the first time in its 50-year history, Metro is looking to revamp the bus system and simplify routes with its Better Bus, Better Names campaign. Read More

photo by nevermindtheend

“Dear PoPville,

Wondering if any other readers have found the D6 so unbearably slow recently that it’s basically unusable. I recall reading a story a few weeks ago about a new(er) bus system where they have to wait at stops or intentionally slow down. Read More

“Dear PoPville,

I am currently staying out near the end of the D6 bus line. Today on my way home, the bus driver stopped twice and idled for 5 minutes at random stops. I asked what was wrong and they showed me a screen saying they were ahead of schedule and had to stop in order to “not leave anyone at the upcoming stops.” Read More

photo by Randy Clarke

WMATA GM Randy Clarke shares: “Excited to show @wmata newest member of the fleet. Besides this 60ft being quieter & better for the [world] it also has new customer centric features: new readers for all door boarding, seat charging & digital information screens. Read More

via WMATA

From WMATA:

“The future is looking clearer for Metrobus, as Metro and the District Department of Transportation (DDOT) announce the start of the 45-day minimum warning period for the Clear Lanes program. The goal is to improve bus speeds and reliability. Parked cars and vehicles illegally using dedicated bus lanes and bus stop zones slow buses down and impedes customer safety.

Under the program, cameras mounted on Metrobuses will capture video and photos of vehicles illegally operating, parking, standing, or stopping in dedicated bus lanes and bus zones. All enforcement will be handled by DDOT. Metro will not have any role in ticketing and enforcement. Read More

From WMATA:

“Metrobus customers who travel at night will have the option to get off between bus stops along the route, closer to their destination to provide a safer, better bus experience. These “courtesy stops” put customer safety first during times of day when it is darkest outside. Read More

From WMATA:

“Metro today detailed its future financial planning to address structural funding issues that will leave a projected $750 million shortfall in the fiscal year 2025 budget when federal covid relief funding runs out. Without an increase in funding, Metro would be forced to make drastic cuts to rail, bus, and paratransit services across the region.

The long-term financial issues facing Metro, come amid improving service, investments in modernization, and growing ridership. As of May, weekday ridership on Metrorail and Metrobus is at 50 percent and 88 percent of pre-pandemic levels, respectively, with ridership as high as 800,000 trips or more combined on bus and rail. Read More

From DDOT:

“The Clear Lanes Project is a joint initiative between Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (Metro) and DDOT that aims to improve bus travel times and enhance bus stop safety by using camera technology to identify illegally parked and stopped vehicles in dedicated bus lanes and bus zones.
Program Details:

Metro will mount automated cameras on buses serving select routes in DC. These cameras automatically take photos of violating vehicles and send information directly to DDOT for enforcement. Metro anticipates that the Clear Lanes project will be ready to roll out in Fall 2023, with a 45-day warning period beginning July 24, 2023.

Fines: Read More

From WMATA:

“Over the bridge and through the tunnel, trains on the Yellow Line are ready to go. Starting Sunday, May 7, Yellow Line service will resume across the Potomac River, following an eight-month, on-time and anticipated to be under budget rehabilitation project to repair the deteriorating 1970’s tunnel and bridge.

The reopening, announced last month, will provide a faster, more direct connection for customers between Virginia and downtown DC, including travel to/from Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport.

Yellow Line trains will initially operate every eight minutes weekdays from 6 a.m. until 9 p.m. for the first month between Huntington and Mount Vernon Square, and every 12 minutes all other times and on weekends, a 60 percent increase in train service than before the closure last fall. In June service will improve to eight minutes all day, seven days a week.”

photo by nevermindtheend

From the office of Councilmember Charles Allen:

“The following is a statement from Councilmember Charles Allen on WMATA’s Letter Delaying Fare Free Buses One Year:

“I’m frustrated with WMATA, but bold ideas sometimes take time. A one-year delay isn’t the end of the world, but I do hold some skepticism about Maryland and Virginia’s genuine interest in fare-free buses. Read More