Get ready for an exciting Maryland General Assembly session now through April 8th! There’s a lot at stake – with Metro funding topping our list. To kick it off, we’ll start with our transportation list, but watch for an alert focused on housing, and more specific alerts on important budget hearings and bills.
Category: Better Public Transit
Hear the latest updates on the Richmond Highway BRT
Fairfax County is holding an open house this Wednesday to provide the latest updates on its Richmond Highway Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) project. County staff will provide a recap of project decisions and milestones, and be on hand to answer your questions.
Take Action: Weigh in on these key issues at the VA General Assembly
The Virginia General Assembly is speeding through its 60-day session, and your legislators want to hear from you! Here’s info on key issues and how to reach your legislators.
CSG Recommendations for Wizards/Capitals Arena Study
We are pleased to see that Alexandria is doing extensive outreach and sharing of information with the community, but we also urge our elected officials in the region to fully evaluate the impacts, costs, and benefits of the proposed project and site as compared to retaining the arena in DC. This includes transportation, environment, demographic, tax, financial risks, and other factors.
TAKE ACTION: Support Metro funding – email your elected officials!
Metro and other transit funding should be a top regional priority, and the region has just a short time to identify the funding. Here’s how YOU can take action to support the funding Metro needs.
CSG Remarks to NoVa Legislative Delegation in support of Metro Funding
Given the value of Metro to Virginia, and the staffing concerns that the GM just highlighted – we hold out hope for a level of funding that will avoid service cuts, while minimizing fare increases, and minimizing the – less-than-ideal – shifting of preventative maintenance funds to operating needs.
WMATA Fact Sheet on Cost Savings & Comparisons to Other Agencies
From FY18-24, Metro cut administrative costs by $308M through healthcare cost-sharing, maximizing real estate assets, office consolidation, position eliminations, and reducing the non-revenue fleet.
Release: CSG Applauds Re-Introduction of the Stronger Communities Through Better Transit Act; Urges Congress To Act
Recently, Congressman Hank Johnson (GA) introduced the Stronger Communities Through Better Transit Act. The bill will help fund transit operations costs, including here in DC, Maryland, and Virginia. In response, Stewart Schwartz, Executive Director of the Coalition for Smarter Growth, issued the following statement.
CSG in the News: Transit advocates weigh in on Maryland’s $2B transportation shortfall
The Maryland Sierra Club and Coalition for Smarter Growth argue that a better way to address the funding backlog would be to shift more of the remaining road dollars to transit.
Testimony: Eliminating parking requirements near transit (Montgomery County, Support)
Eliminating mandatory parking minimums in locations with great access to transit is a common-sense fix. It aligns our parking policies with the goals of the Thrive 2050 General Plan, and will create more affordable housing opportunities and provide more options for sustainable living.