The region has a lot of explaining to do, and we are here for it. From WMATA's proposed budget, to a possible plan to transform Baltimore transit, to a curious op-ed about a bill that would give Marylanders veto power over the construction of toll facilities. Let's break down the big issues of the week together. Enjoy!
By David Alpert (Executive Director), Ron Thompson (Transportation Equity Organizer) • January 29, 2020
Soon, WMATA will formally be asking riders and other members of the public to weigh in on its next budget. There’s a lot riders should understand, and weigh in on, in addition to proposed cuts or changes to bus service which have rightly attracted a lot of attention — some of which transit advocates have been requesting for years, and other items which are worrisome.
By Joanne Tang (Editorial Board, Elections Committee) • January 31, 2020
Last fall, the City of Alexandria approved efforts to finalize planning for a pilot program to make the 100 block of King Street pedestrian-only on weekends from April to October.
By Canaan Merchant (Elections Committee) • January 29, 2020
The last new Metro station in Fairfax County before Dulles Airport will be Innovation Center, a somewhat bland name which Metro briefly tried to sell to an unnamed “Fortune 500 Company.” It had to pull back in the face of opposition from Fairfax County officials, but in the meantime, the area is bustling with change. I took a look around.
By Alex Holt (Maryland Correspondent) • January 27, 2020
Virginia’s governor recently announced an ambitious plan to build a new span for the Long Bridge and eventually expand passenger rail capacity all the way down to North Carolina. But the same week that deal was announced, Baltimore City Councilman Ryan Dorsey released his own “plan” for the future of Baltimore transit, saying the city’s current transportation system is unsafe, inequitable and doesn’t meet the demands the 3 million people who rely on it.
By Tracy Hadden Loh (Advocacy Committee) • January 28, 2020
Maryland Senate Bill 229 proposes to extend to the entire state a right which is currently granted only to the nine counties of the Eastern Shore—local veto power over the construction of new toll facilities. This legislation would clearly impact Governor Hogan’s proposal to widen the Beltway and I-270 with toll lanes, and merits discussion on the appropriate balance of state and local control. Unfortunately, the Washington Post Editorial Board attacked SB 229 as being against the will of the people in a piece that was short on facts and long on rhetoric.
