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Carpool as an alternative to Metro

By Kristi King

WASHINGTON — At the end of the week, some rail stations will begin to close entirely as a part of Metro’s maintenance plan.

Local leaders suggest rail riders and drivers begin to prepare now for how different phases of Metro work might impact their commutes over the next year.

“If your surge isn’t here yet, in terms of the 15 surges that are going to happen, plan ahead,” said Commuter Connections Director Nick Ramfos.

You have alternatives. And, Commuter Connections will help.

“Sign up for ride-matching. You’ll get a list of others who live and work near you,” Ramfos said while noting that Commuter Connections provides help with more than van- and carpools.

“You can get all of your transit stop locations. You get all of the Park and Ride lot information. You get bicycling information. Essentially, any alternative mode that’s out there, you’re going to get that information,” he said.

To find out what might work best for you, Ramfos recommends getting started sooner than later.

“Start testing out your various modes now, so when [your] surge does hit, you’ll be well aware of what your options are at that point,” he said.

Audit: Metro put millions of federal dollars at risk in failed Buy America program

By Max Smith
WASHINGTON — Oversight and contracting failures at Metro risked an immediate loss of millions in federal funding, a new audit report from Metro’s Office of Inspector General found. The audit of Metro’s Buy America contract award and oversight process found $68 million in bus, paratransit or rail car vehicle and parts purchases did not meet federal contracting requirements, and $517 million of the $1.4 billion in contracts reviewed did not follow the Federal Transit Administration’s nonbinding suggested best practices.
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