A tough decision that has been on the table since the summer has now been made official by the WMATA's board of directors.
"Metro’s board of directors voted Thursday to cut late-night service hours for a two-year period starting next summer," reports Martine Powers.
The changes to the schedule were enacted by a unanimous vote of the board, following an 11th-hour compromise, according to Powers. "Under a new amendment, Metro will be required to provide a progress report on its preventive maintenance program in May 2018." That report will address concerns by some on the board "that two years of automatic late-night service cuts would provide a 'carte blanche' to Metro management."
Late-night service on the WMATA system has been under siege for the better part of 2016. The SafeTrack maintenance program suspended late-night service in June, leading to concerns about drunk driving. The proposal for a longer-term suspension of late-night service came in July and was met with criticism and concern for the effects of the service reduction for low-income and minority riders.
FULL STORY: How Will Partiers Travel Safely With D.C. Metro's Late-Night Service on Hold?
D.C. Metro to Consider Reduced Rail Service Hours After SafeTrack Concludes
What was thought to be a temporary end to late night weekend service could become a permanent reality on the tracks of Metrorail.
Showdown Over Late Night Hours on D.C. Metro
The general manager of D.C. Metro wants to extend limited late night rail service, in place for two years, into 2019 and beyond. Metro board members have had enough.
How Will Partiers Travel Safely With D.C. Metro's Late-Night Service on Hold?
With late-night weekend service on hold as the Metrorail service commences its SafeTrack maintenance program, will partiers stay home or simply find new ways to get around?
Maui's Vacation Rental Debate Turns Ugly
Verbal attacks, misinformation campaigns and fistfights plague a high-stakes debate to convert thousands of vacation rentals into long-term housing.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
In Urban Planning, AI Prompting Could be the New Design Thinking
Creativity has long been key to great urban design. What if we see AI as our new creative partner?
King County Supportive Housing Program Offers Hope for Unhoused Residents
The county is taking a ‘Housing First’ approach that prioritizes getting people into housing, then offering wraparound supportive services.
Researchers Use AI to Get Clearer Picture of US Housing
Analysts are using artificial intelligence to supercharge their research by allowing them to comb through data faster. Though these AI tools can be error prone, they save time and housing researchers are optimistic about the future.
Making Shared Micromobility More Inclusive
Cities and shared mobility system operators can do more to include people with disabilities in planning and operations, per a new report.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
planning NEXT
Appalachian Highlands Housing Partners
Mpact (founded as Rail~Volution)
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
City of Portland
City of Laramie