Only one area college, American University, was quick to sign up to participate in the WMATA's University Ride Pass program.
Eve Zhurbinskiy checks in on the University Ride Pass program administered by the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority since February 2016, finding that few colleges have chosen to participate.
Though the University Ride Pass "allows college students to take unlimited rides on Metrorail and Metrobus for $1 a day at participating schools," only one school in the area, American University, has signed up for the program.
Students pay for the pass "in the form of a mandatory fee as part of their tuition and housing package at the beginning of the semester," explains Zhurbinskiy. The fee structure for the program makes financial aid available to cover the cost, which totals $130 per student, per semester.
On the one hand, students a schools like George Washington University (where Zhurbinskiy is a student) have encountered institutional hurdles to approving the pass despite support from students for the program. The article digs more into the institutional hurdles holding up approval of the program, especially at George Washington University. On the other hand, the president of the student government at Catholic University vetoed a resolution in support of the program, "after expressing concerns about cost and security liability."
FULL STORY: Why aren’t more colleges using Metro’s discount student pass program?
Report Lays Out a New Path for Bus Service in the D.C. Region
Ridership on the WMATA bus system, down an estimated 13 percent between 2012 and 2017, will need drastic innovations to reverse, according to a new report by the Bus Transformation project.
Density Increases Near Transit Station in D.C. But Ridership Does Not
D.C.'s ridership is down even as density around stations is up. More residents are choosing to drive or bike.
Opinion: Dog Parks Aren't a Priority in a Housing Crisis
"Should DC spend about $2 million on a parcel of land in Columbia Heights to build a dog park?"
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
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.
San Francisco Suspends Traffic Calming Amidst Record Deaths
Citing “a challenging fiscal landscape,” the city will cease the program on the heels of 42 traffic deaths, including 24 pedestrians.
Amtrak Rolls Out New Orleans to Alabama “Mardi Gras” Train
The new service will operate morning and evening departures between Mobile and New Orleans.
The Subversive Car-Free Guide to Trump's Great American Road Trip
Car-free ways to access Chicagoland’s best tourist attractions.
San Antonio and Austin are Fusing Into one Massive Megaregion
The region spanning the two central Texas cities is growing fast, posing challenges for local infrastructure and water supplies.
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.
Heyer Gruel & Associates PA
JM Goldson LLC
Custer County Colorado
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
Transportation Research & Education Center (TREC) at Portland State University
Jefferson Parish Government
Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Claremont