Washington, D.C
Will WMATA’s Silver Line find success?
Metro goals to open the long-awaited Silver Line extension this yr however the company’s meager pandemic ridership, triggered largely by the transfer to distant work, begs the query: who’s going to trip it?
Why it issues: A failure to draw riders to the $3 billion Silver Line venture would additional worsen the company’s budgetary woes — present estimates predict a $185 million price range deficit subsequent fiscal yr.
Catch up fast: The extension provides six stations that span 11.4 miles from Ashburn to Reston City Middle beginning after Wiehle-Reston. Dulles would be the third-to-last cease on the road.
What’s occurring: Axios’ evaluation of Metrorail ridership knowledge reveals that usually stations towards the top of the road, notably these within the NoVa suburbs, have been slower to rebound than stations in different elements of the world.
- The present final 4 Silver Line stations from Wiehle-Reston East to Tysons Nook have every reached about 32% of 2019 ridership ranges.
- Stations on the finish of the Blue and Orange traces have carried out equally, with Franconia-Springfield reaching 35% of 2019 ridership, and Vienna getting to twenty-eight%.
- For comparability, Glenmont on the finish of the Purple Line has reached 41% of pre-pandemic ridership. West Hyattsville, the fourth-to-last cease on the Inexperienced Line towards Greenbelt, has reached 52%.
D.C. Coverage Middle government director Yesim Sayin Taylor tells Axios that the Washington area’s excessive focus of employees who’re in a position to do their jobs remotely has continued to make it even tougher for Metro to rebound from pandemic losses.
A Metro spokesperson tells Axios that the company doesn’t have post-pandemic ridership projections, however continues to see the Silver Line extension as “a chance for development.”
Zoom in: The Silver Line extension has a number of elements in its favor, together with the quickly rising Tysons space. Plus, riders will for the primary time have entry to Dulles utilizing Metrorail.
Senior Brookings Metro fellow Adie Tomer does be aware that gaining access to an airport by prepare is usually a good regional advertising instrument, however airports usually don’t appeal to almost as many riders as different stations and contours. He says Washington residents use public transit rather more than vacationers who’re right here simply visiting.
- Whether or not or not it’s profitable within the quick time period, Tomer says he’s assured that the Silver Line extension might be profitable in the long term. “Having rail service and having long-distance journey options is vitally vital,” he says of the well being and development of main metros.
Between the traces: The Silver Line extension has been within the works for over a decade. As Tomer places it, “this prepare has left the station so way back.” These at present working for the company, together with new CEO Randy Clarke, must adapt to our new lifestyle and discover methods to lure riders again.
What’s subsequent: The Silver Line could possibly be additional delayed. With out the return of extra 7000-series vehicles, Clarke says the company would both have to attend to open the brand new stations on that line or scale back service.
Fireworks go off above the Lincoln Memorial, the Washington Monument and the US Capitol during an Independence Day fireworks display in Washington D.C., United States on July 4, 2023. (Photo by Mehmet Eser/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)
WASHINGTON – More than 1.8 million Washington-metro area residents are projected to travel 50 miles or more over the Independence Day holiday weekend, according to AAA.
This marks a 6% increase compared to last year and over 5% more than in 2019.
“With school out across the country, summer vacations are in full swing, and the 4th of July holiday seems like the perfect time for a getaway,” said Ragina Cooper Ali, spokeswoman for AAA in Maryland and Washington, D.C.
FILE-Travelers search for their suitcases in a baggage holding area for Southwest Airlines at Denver International Airport on December 28, 2022 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Michael Ciaglo/Getty Images)
“We are seeing that a residual impact of COVID has been greater work flexibility, affording many the opportunity to work remotely and extend weekend and holiday trips,” Ali added.
AAA estimates that more than 1.6 million metro-area residents—nearly 90% of travelers—will drive during the holiday week. This is an increase of nearly 6% compared to both last year and 2019. “Nationally, gas prices are trending about 11 cents lower than last year. Here, in the D.C. metro area, Tuesday’s average of $3.49 is a penny less than a year ago,” noted Ali. She added that while pump prices are expected to remain stable until after Labor Day, the hurricane season could potentially impact Gulf Coast oil production and refining centers, leading to fluctuations.
Air travel is also anticipated to be strong, with AAA projecting more than 129,000 D.C. area travelers flying to their July 4th destinations. This is nearly 7% higher than last year and more than a 12% increase compared to 2019. AAA’s booking data shows domestic airfare is 2% cheaper this Independence Day week compared to last year, with the average price for a domestic round-trip ticket at $800. Ali recommends travelers arrive at airports two hours early, reserve parking in advance, and opt for carry-on luggage to save time and money.
The “other” travel category, which includes buses, trains, and cruises, is also seeing a rebound, with over 79,000 District travelers expected to take these modes of transportation. This represents an increase of nearly 12% compared to last year, although it is still down more than 8% from pre-pandemic levels in 2019. “Baltimore and other hometown ports remain popular and convenient for many in our region,” stated Ali. She also noted that cruise travelers can find deals this summer as new ships entering the market lead to targeted discounts on older inventory.
Nationally, a record 71 million people are predicted to travel for the holiday this year, with more than 60 million hitting the roads. Air travel is also expected to set a record with nearly six million travelers, reflecting a 7% increase from last year and more than a 12% rise compared to pre-pandemic days in 2019.
Washington — The District of Columbia Court of Appeals has suspended Hunter Biden from practicing law in Washington, D.C., the court’s chief judge said in a filing Tuesday.
The “immediate” suspension, as Chief Judge Anna Blackburne-Rigsby put it, follows Biden’s conviction on federal gun charges by a federal jury in Delaware. Federal law prohibits someone who improperly uses controlled substances from purchasing or possessing a firearm. The president’s son was found guilty of three felony counts related to his purchase of a gun in 2018 while he was addicted to crack cocaine.
The court said the “serious crimes” warranted the suspension of Biden’s ability to practice law in the district.
“[T]he respondent is suspended immediately from the practice of law in the District of Columbia pending resolution of this matter,” the order said, referring the matter to the D.C. Bar’s Board on Professional Responsibility for further investigation.
Biden is a Yale Law School graduate, although he hasn’t been a particularly active user of his law degree recently. He has been licensed to practice law in D.C. since 2007.
Scott MacFarlane contributed to this report.
Independence Historic Trust Executive Director Bill Marrazzo, who is also CEO and president of WHYY, said the nonprofit was honored by the proposal.
“Of course, in our judgment, Philadelphia is no less than natural to host such a meeting in 2026,” Marrazzo said. “It was in the 1700s when the founders of our nation selected Philadelphia for a series of meetings, including one in 1774 at Carpenters’ Hall, which began to build the infrastructure that holds up what is now the United States of America.”
Congressman Boyle said he felt there was enough bipartisan support for a road trip to Philadelphia, adding that after the session he hopes Congress would be “more committed than ever to preserving our democracy.”
“Through this special meeting of Congress, we will ensure that the eyes of the nation — indeed, the eyes of the world — will be on Philadelphia as we celebrate America’s 250th birthday,” Boyle said.
Kathryn Ott Lovell, who heads up the Independence Visitors Center, is all for it.
“This is … a phenomenal opportunity to bring leaders here to experience our city. This was the reason that this park exists,” Lovell said.
Philadelphia plans to mark America’s 250th birthday in 2026 in a big way. Events already announced include the FIFA World Cup, the PGA Championship at Aronimink Golf Club and the NCAA’s Men’s March Madness basketball tournament.
Iowa DOT shuts down stretches of I-680, I-29 ahead of anticipated flooding
B-Line's seven craft boubon distilleries in NKY added to Kentucky Bourbon Trail – NKyTribune
Shoppers react to rule changes for those under 18 at Mall of Louisiana
Off-duty officer hit by vehicle, driver arrested after fight, police say
Maryland teacher’s union president to step down Aug. 1 after six years in job – Maryland Matters
See it: Tesla crashes into Columbus convention center at 70 mph
Colorado Rockies game no. 116 thread: Zac Gallen vs José Ureña
Fox News Politics: Georgia the whole day through
Death of missing Oregon girl found in stream ruled homicide
At least 2 dead as tornadoes hit Alabama, damage homes across Southeast
Mike Kennedy advances past crowded GOP primary to secure nomination for open Utah House seat
France elections: Germans prepare for seismic change in EU politics
Iowa floodwaters breach levees as even more rain dumps onto parts of the Midwest
Fox News Politics: Trump Ungagged…Kinda
A right to drink? Inside the debate to protect US workers against the heat
-
News1 week agoJoe Biden, Barack Obama And Jimmy Kimmel Warn Of Another Donald Trump Term; Star-Filled L.A. Fundraiser Expected To Raise At Least $30 Million — Update
-
News1 week agoIt's easy to believe young voters could back Trump at young conservative conference
-
World1 week agoRussia-Ukraine war: List of key events, day 842
-
World1 week agoSwiss summit demands 'territorial integrity' of Ukraine
-
World1 week agoProtesters in Brussels march against right-wing ideology
-
News1 week agoA fast-moving wildfire spreads north of Los Angeles, forcing evacuations
-
World1 week agoAl-Qaeda affiliate claims responsibility for June attack in Burkina Faso
-
Politics1 week agoJudge rules Missouri abortion ban did not aim to impose lawmakers' religious views on others