How to get around on Metrorail and commuter lines during New Year's. more ›

How to get around this weekend on Metrorail and commuter rail lines. more ›

Good morning, Washington. Whether you’re a loyal fan or recently initiated into World Cup frenzy by an uncharacteristic fist pump after a last-minute header against Brazil, eyes are on Frankfurt today where the U.S. Women's National Team will play for the World Cup title in the final against Japan. Obama couldn’t make it, but he’s sending a presidential delegation led by Jill Biden. more ›

Good morning, Washington. Threats of crippling heat next week compel us to enjoy the weekend, which kicks off with a stunning Saturday. Mostly sunny, barely sticky, and without breaking 90, it shouldn’t be difficult to enjoy the day. more ›

So when a MARC or VRE train runs into trouble and Metro offers to shuttle those riders for free -- a regular occurrence during the morning rush hour -- how much does that actually cost WMATA? That's a good question, since no one's really sure. According to this report in the Examiner, no agency keeps a reliable count of those who ride Metro for free during MARC and VRE breakdowns. It's just considered "transit courtesy," like holding open an expensive door. more ›

An 81-year-old man was struck and killed by a MARC commuter train in Gaithersburg this morning at 7:52 a.m., according to the Maryland Transit Administration. NBCWashington.com reports that the man was rushing across the tracks to try and make a train when he got hit by train 878 -- the death will likely be classified as an accident, though Montgomery County police are investigating. The man reportedly lived but blocks away from the station. The incident caused major delays this morning as train 878 and others were severely delayed. Metro was accepting MARC tickets from Shady Grove into Washington to help alleviate the backup. more ›

Three Amtrak employees and two other people suffered minor injuries this morning after a low-speed collision between an Amtrak train and a MARC train caused a derailment outside of Union Station. Based on information from D.C. Fire and EMS spokesperson Pete Piringer, the two trains "bumped" after 9 a.m. this morning, but neither overturned. No customers were on either train at the time of the collision. Now, I realize that when people hear "train derailment," they immediately think of the worst -- so, for context, here's an image of the scene from WAMU reporter Patrick Madden. As you can see, its hardly the wreckage you may have initially imagined. Still, the area is a bit of a mess, and I'm sure there will be plenty of questions to answer about why the two trains were occupying the same section of track at the same time. Both Amtrak and MARC riders should expect delays today due to the investigation of the scene. more ›

Bosses, cut your commuting employees a little bit of slack: most people coming into D.C. from the suburbs had a real rough go of it this morning. From the looks of things, some decided to eschew Metro -- and its new higher fares -- in favor of their car this morning. (They chose...poorly.) Every major interstate around Washington was stuffed to the gills with vehicles this morning, due to several major accidents and high density. MARC -- who has been taking a beating after hundreds of riders were stuck for hours on a train without air conditioning last week -- ran into a bevy of issues this morning, delaying service on several lines. Traffic once you get into D.C. is no picnic, either. For what it's worth, Metrorail's reporting no problems this morning. more ›

An Acela Express train struck a person on the tracks between BWI and Odenton earlier this afternoon. The Maryland Transit Administration has issued an alert that all Penn Line MARC service has been suspended until further notice. Northbound Amtrak trains out of D.C. are currently holding at Union Station. more ›

Amtrak and MARC Penn Line service has been suspended between Baltimore and D.C. since 7:45 a.m., thanks to a major water main break affecting tracks between the BWI Thurgood Marshall Airport and Baltimore Penn stations. Amtrak reports that tracks in the area are covered with mud, trees and other debris. Service restoration is not expected until at least noon today, and could be hours later. There's literally no alternative rail service between the two cities, so if you had plans to travel north from D.C. via train this morning, you ought to look into a bus. You can call 800-USA-RAIL for train status updates later in the day. more ›

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The Post reports that the body of an adult male was found on the tracks near Union Station shortly before 8 a.m. today. At the time, MARC reported that trains on the Camden and Brunswick lines had come to a complete stop in both directions due to the police investigation. Both lines were reopened by 10 a.m., but those caught in the morning commute mess had to take Metro in to D.C. after MARC trains were sent back to Greenbelt and Silver Spring stations, respectively. The death remains under investigation. On Sunday, an apparent double suicide in Baltimore County resulted in two deaths on a set of CSX train tracks there. more ›

Hey Virginia, are you taking notes? more ›