By Wyatt Gordon (The Virginia Mercury) • November 22, 2021
The good news for Blacksburg Transit, and other public bus systems in Virginia, is that demand for bus service has bounced back to pre-pandemic levels. The bad news is that it has 20% fewer drivers than they need to reliably run their full schedule of service.
Reduced Metrorail service will continue through the end of 2021, as Metro continues the testing of its 7000-series trains. The agency pulled the 7000-series trains after a Blue Line train derailed on Oct. 12. Trains will continue to arrive every 12 minutes on the Red Line trains, Green and Yellow lines will run every 20 minutes, and Blue Orange and Silver trains will run every 24 minutes, according to Metro. (Jordan Pascale / DCist)
Next year, riders may be able to board Metrobuses from the front and back door, as Metro advances an all-door boarding strategy on its bus fleet. The move is an attempt to expedite boarding and cut down on delays. Fare targets will be added to the back door, allowing the agency to collect fares at both entry points. (Justin George / Post)
The mayor’s recent decision to lift mask mandates in most places of business like restaurants, gyms, and bars, was met with conflicting emotions from some business owners. And with other counties in the region reinstating mask mandates, and many people traveling during the holidays, some are calling for the measure to be reconsidered. (Amanda Gomez / DCist)
JBG Smith is proposing to build a 19-story building with 650 residential units and space for retail at the Americana hotel site, located at 1400 Richmond Highway in Arlington. The hotel was bought by JBG Smith shortly after it closed in 2020. (Nena Perry-Brown / Urban Turf)
As a ban on the sale or use of gas-powered leaf blowers in DC is set to go into effect in 2022, the district recently launched a rebate program to help people switch from gas-powered blowers to electronic alternatives. The movement to ban the devices started as a noise complaint but soon the environmental hazards of gas-powered blowers took center stage. (Rachel Kurzius / DCist)
On Saturday about 100 drivers led what Montgomery County Council President Tom Hucker called a “noisy car rally” starting at a parking lot in the 12000 block of Cherry Hill Road, according to police, then heading into downtown Silver Spring. The drivers blocked intersections and even set off some fireworks, according to accounts on social media. Some traffic citations were given, but there were no arrests. (Dan Schere / Bethesda Beat. Tip: Chester B.)
