For months, transit advocates have dreaded the decision to raise fares and cut service throughout the D.C. Metro system. That day arrived last week. Changes take effect on July 1.
"[D.C.] Metro’s board gave final approval Thursday to fare increases and service cuts as part of an austere fiscal 2018 budget aimed at easing the transit agency’s financial struggles," reports Faiz Siddiqui.
The system's first fare hike in the last three years will increase fares for rail transit in peak hours by 10 cents. Rail transit fares during off-peak hours will increase by 25 cents. Bus fares will also increase by 25 cents.
"As part of changes approved in the $1.8 billion operating budget, riders also will spend more time on platforms, as trains arrive about every eight minutes across most of the system, with more frequent service in the downtown core," adds Siddiqui. "But there will be fewer trains overall on five of six rail lines."
The article includes more details about the changes coming to the Metro system, including an expected 500 layoffs, in addition to the 500 employees already laid off. Siddiqui quotes extensively from the justifications for the cuts from soundbites by Metro General Manager Paul J. Wiedefeld.
FULL STORY: Metro makes it official: Higher fares, reduced service coming July 1
Additional Funding, Service Increase Sought by D.C. Metro Officials
For the first time in years, there is talk of expanding service on existing rail lines in the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (Metro) system.
D.C. Metro Will End Late-Night Rail Service for Two Years
A tough decision that has been on the table since the summer has now been made official by the WMATA's board of directors.
D.C. Metro's Proposed Service Cuts Would Disproportionately Affect Communities of Color
Planning and urbanism writers in Washington, D.C. agree that a proposal to cut service to 20 stations in the Metrorail system would have harmful effects for minorities in the region.
Seattle Legalizes Co-Living
A new state law requires all Washington cities to allow co-living facilities in areas zoned for multifamily housing.
Central Florida’s SunRail Plans Major Expansion
The expanded train line will connect more destinations to the international airport and other important destinations.
NYC Officials Announce Broadway Pedestrianization Project
Two blocks of the marquee street will become mostly car-free public spaces.
For Some, Co-Housing Offers Social and Economic Benefits
Residents of co-living developments say the built-in community helps ease the growing isolation felt by many Americans.
New Map Puts Bay Area Traffic Data in One Place
The Traffic Monitoring site uses community-collected speed and volume data to reveal traffic patterns on local roads.
Electric Car Share Comes to Detroit’s Eastside
The program is operated by the Eastside Community Network and funded through the U.S. Department of Energy.
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.
Los Alamos County
City of Culver City
Skagit Transit
American Planning Association, Sustainable Communities Division
HUDs Office of Policy Development and Research
HUDs Office of Policy Development and Research
City of Cambridge, Maryland
Newport County Development Council: Connect Greater Newport
Rockdale County Board of Commissioners