Metro | FFXnow

Summer concert series launches at Tysons Metro stations

Published June 6, 2024 at 11:45AM

The entrance to the McLean Metro station in Tysons (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Thursday afternoon commutes to and from Tysons are about to get more melodious for transit users.

Throughout the summer, musicians will serenade riders at one of the area’s four Metro stations every week for a free “Metro Musicians” concert series organized by the Tysons Community Alliance (TCA) and the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority.

The concerts will be held every Thursday at 5-6:30 p.m., starting tonight with acoustic soul duo Zach Cutler and Deborah Bond at the McLean Metro station. The series will continue through Aug. 29.

According to the TCA, the series is part of WMATA’s Art in Transit program, where the transit agency collaborates with visual and performing artists around the D.C. region to bring their work to Metro facilities.

The program has introduced murals, sculptures, digital displays and poetry at various Metro stations and buildings. It also ran a contest where students submitted designs for Earth Day-themed bus wraps.

The full Metro Musicians schedule is below:

June 6: Zach Cutler & Deborah Bond (McLean Metro station)
June 13: Dupont Strings (Tysons Metro station)
June 20: Dance Flamenco D.C. (Greensboro Metro station)
June 27: Moosejaw Duo (Spring Hill Metro station)
July 11: Zach Cutler & Deborah Bond (Tysons)
July 18: Dupont Strings (McLean)
July 25: Dance Flamenco D.C. (Spring Hill)
Aug. 1: Zach Cutler & Deborah Bond (Greensboro)
Aug. 8: Dupont Strings (Spring Hill)
Aug. 15: Dance Flamenco D.C. (McLean)
Aug. 22: Moosejaw Duo (Greensboro)
Aug. 29: Moosejaw Duo (Tysons)

Countywide

Metro board approves new budget, but Virginia funding remains a question mark

By Angela Woolsey

Published April 26, 2024 at 11:30AM

The Franconia-Springfield Metro station entrance (staff photo by James Jarvis)

The cost of riding Metro trains and buses will go up, starting July 1, when the transit agency’s new budget takes effect.

The Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority’s (WMATA) board of directors approved a $4.8 billion fiscal year 2025 budget yesterday (Thursday) that will increase fares by 12.5%, including by ending the flat $2 rate for weekend and late-night rides introduced in 2021 and expanded in 2022.

News

Fairfax supervisors urge General Assembly to reject Youngkin’s proposed Metro funding cuts

By Acacia James

Published April 18, 2024 at 2:30PM | Updated April 25, 2024 at 5:48PM

A train at the McLean Metro station platform (file photo)

The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors is asking the county’s General Assembly delegation to oppose Gov. Glenn Youngkin’s proposed funding cuts to Metro in the state’s budget.

During a board meeting on Tuesday (April 16), supervisors unanimously approved a letter written by Chairman Jeff McKay, Braddock District Supervisor James Walkinshaw, and Dranesville District Supervisor James Bierman, asking the delegation to oppose the cuts and retain the funding needed to address the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority’s (WMATA) estimated $750 million shortfall.

News

FCPD: Boy injured in crash on Gallows Road involving Metrobus

By Angela Woolsey

Published March 4, 2024 at 11:00AM | Updated March 4, 2024 at 11:22AM

Gallows Road and Anderson Road in Merrifield (via Google Maps)

(Updated at 11:20 a.m.) A boy was taken to the hospital yesterday (Sunday) after a crash near Inova Fairfax Hospital.

The Fairfax County Police Department reported at 6:32 p.m. that officers were on scene of a crash involving a sedan and a bus on Gallows Road at Anderson Road in Merrifield.

Countywide

N. Va. officials search for path to save Metro from ‘catastrophic’ budget cuts

By Fatimah Waseem

Published December 18, 2023 at 9:30AM

A train at the McLean Metro station platform (file photo)

Local and state officials in Virginia say the path to dig Metro out of its looming $750 million deficit is uncertain — but action is necessary to avoid the significant service cuts, systemwide fare hikes, layoffs and station closures laid out in the transit agency’s newly proposed budget.

Leaders in Fairfax County — which already faces lean economic times — say they don’t plan to offer up additional funds unless jurisdictional and federal partners can throw some more skin into the game.

News

NOW: Pedestrian hit by Metrobus on Little River Turnpike, seriously injured

By Angela Woolsey

Published December 4, 2023 at 11:40PM

Eastbound Little River Turnpike is closed at Hummer Road after a Metrobus driver reportedly hit a pedestrian (via Google Maps)

A woman suffered serious injuries earlier this evening (Monday) when she was apparently hit by a Metrobus on Little River Turnpike.

“Officers are investigating a bus crash involving a pedestrian that occurred on Little River [Turnpike] and Hummer [Road] in Annandale,” the Fairfax County Police Department said. “The pedestrian, an adult female, was transported in life-threatening condition.”

News

One year in, Silver Line Phase 2 ridership modest for Fairfax County stations

By Fatimah Waseem

Published November 22, 2023 at 10:15AM | Updated November 22, 2023 at 11:57AM

The Silver Line Phase 2 Metro stations opened on Nov. 15, 2022 (staff photo by Jay Westcott)

(Updated at noon) Trains are taking off at the Dulles Airport Metro station one year after the opening of Phase Two of the Silver Line — but ridership at the other five stations of the $3 million project has a long way to catch up.

In the backdrop of post-pandemic recovery, ridership for stations beyond the airport is modest, according to Metro data.

Countywide

Virginia to consider Metro’s funding request to address projected $750 million shortfall

By Nathaniel Cline / Virginia Mercury

Published October 30, 2023 at 9:30AM

A Metro train at the Vienna station (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

As Metro considers ways to address a looming $750 million shortfall and stave off changes to its operations, officials are requesting jurisdictions, including Virginia, review their options to help address the funding deficit that threatens thousands of jobs and various services.

Metro hopes policymakers in the commonwealth will consider adjusting the state law that sets a 3% cap on the growth of Virginia’s annual payment to the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority. Dedicating more funding to Metro and overlooking the demands of other transportation projects, however, concerns some lawmakers and transportation leaders.

News

Dulles Airport could break ground on new concourse soon, MWAA chief says

By Angela Woolsey

Published October 20, 2023 at 10:15AM

The planned Tier 2 Concourse East project coming to Dulles International Airport (courtesy MWAA)

United Airlines is in line for a major expansion of its facilities at Dulles International Airport.

Construction on a new concourse for the airport’s largest carrier could break ground within the next month, Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority President and CEO Jack Potter told the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors at a Tuesday (Oct. 17) transportation committee meeting.

News

Reston Association opposes reported plan for casino near Wiehle-Reston East Metro

By Fatimah Waseem

Published October 3, 2023 at 10:15AM

Reston is likely not a target in the quest for a new casino (staff photo by Angela Woolsey).

Reston Association’s Board of Directors has formally come out in opposition to the possibility of a casino near the Wiehle-Reston East Metro station.

In a statement released yesterday (Monday), RA CEO Mac Cummins lamented what he said was lack of communication with RA’s leadership, board and members regarding potential state legislation that would add Fairfax County to the list of Virginia localities authorized to have a casino.