photo by nevermindtheend

From the office of Councilmember Charles Allen last night:

“The DC Council unanimously passed Councilmember Charles Allen’s Metro For DC bill, paving the way for free buses operating in the District as early as July 2023 and a $100 monthly balance on a registered SmarTrip card for DC residents beginning in 2024.

“Today’s vote on this transformational bill shows the District is ready to be a national leader in the future of public transit,” said Councilmember Allen. “We will balance making transit a public good with ensuring world-class service continues to return to our metro system. This bill has the support and excitement of District residents, District businesses, the union representing transit workers, and WMATA itself. That’s because it’s going to make a major difference in people’s lives almost immediately when buses become free as soon as July.” 

The second, and final vote, will take place on December 20. Below are the four main parts of the bill, ordered on priority for funding as it becomes available: Read More

From the office of Councilmember Charles Allen:

“Today, DC Council Chairman Phil Mendelson and Councilmember Charles Allen (Ward 6) are holding a joint press conference to announce Councilmember Allen’s Metro For DC bill will include two major additions when it comes up for a vote next Tuesday, December 6. 

The bill makes all WMATA buses operating in the District free to riders beginning next summer. 

In a major win for DC’s nightlife and service sector, the bill funds overnight service for 12 major bus lines.

The bill still establishes a $10 million bus service improvement fund dedicated to annual investments in bus lanes, shelters, and other improvements to make bus service itself faster, more reliable, and more enjoyable. 

The bill still provides a $100 monthly subsidy for all DC residents to use on Metrorail, buses outside of DC, or anywhere else SmarTrip is accepted. This is similar to what was previously announced. Read More

Photo by C Buoscio

From DDOT:

Tthe District Department of Transportation (DDOT) announces the release of the DC Circulator Transit Development Plan 2020 Update Final Recommendations. Proposed changes include the preferred alternative for a new service route for Ward 7 that will connect Deanwood Metro Station to Union Station, and some stop consolidation in the Georgetown-Union Station route that will improve reliability for riders. Read More

photo by Victoria Pickering

Thanks to Sara for sending:

“The S buses keep changing their stops around downtown. The S2 McPherson stop is no longer at the SW corner of the square nor across the street in front of Compass Coffee, it’s now at the SE corner of McPherson Square. No signage or anything- so just heads up!“

“Dear PoPville,

Wondering, how can a DC resident get an air pollution source quickly addressed, like a tour bus emitting a large plume of smoke at every intersection they start from in downtown DC?”

Thanks to Mary for sharing: ” As seen on the outside of a circulator bus.

How presumably does one press the button to request a stop on the outside of a moving bus?”

Thanks to JH for sending: “Spotted by the National Gallery of Art on 6/12. It’ll be around all month.”

Sweet City Ride is made possible by readers like you! Email your finds to [email protected]

Ian writes: “We walked to 15th & L (the 3rd stop we tried) and there’s a temporary metrobus stop sign but with no routes posted to it and we flagged down an S9 driver who stopped in the middle of the road has no idea the stop was moved” Read More

photo by Kevin McQueen

Thanks to Kevin for sending just after 1am: “turned into wrong Union Station (rental car return) entrance and got stuck, sticking out on to H St. Oops.”

“Dear PoPville,

My boyfriend is in town with his corgi and we took a bunch of buses around the city doing tourist stuff. We have a specially designed backpack for the corgi which is quite secure and seemed to fit the metro rules for “a carrier that the dog can’t escape from”. All of the bus drivers didn’t bat an eye until the end of the day the driver of the 52 bus wouldn’t let us on. Read More