RIDE THE RAIL

Help Your Employees Welcome Spring!

Spring is right around the corner (March 20), and it is almost time for blooming flowers, warmer temperatures, and longer evenings thanks to daylight saving time. After months of snow, chilly days, and darker commutes, this season invites us to step outside, soak up the sun, and shake up our routines, which includes the way we get around.   Spring is... View Article

Welcome Spring by Rethinking Your Commute!

Spring is right around the corner (March 20), and it is almost time for blooming flowers, warmer temperatures, and longer evenings thanks to daylight saving time. After months of snow, chilly days, and darker commutes, this season invites us to step outside, soak up the sun, and shake up our routines, which includes the way we get around.   Spring is the... View Article

Trip Planning Tools and Apps for Sustainable Transportation in DC

Navigating public transportation in DC, especially with ongoing changes from the Better Bus Network, can be overwhelming for both commuters and visitors. Frequent route updates, new signage, and shifting schedules often leave people confused and frustrated, pushing many to drive instead of using more sustainable options. Trip planning tools and apps take the guesswork out... View Article

Rules of the Rail: Metro Etiquette Tips & Tricks

With Metro ridership reaching its highest numbers since 2020, it’s more important now than ever to respect your fellow passengers and understand the rules of the rail. Following proper Metro etiquette not only helps you travel more efficiently, but also keeps our Metro clean and operating smoothly. Read on for a list of ways you... View Article

No Red Line Service? No problem! 3 Alternate Routes

Beginning July 21, WMATA will be performing scheduled maintenance work along the Red Line, resulting in the closure of both the Brookland-CUA Metro Station and Rhode Island Ave Metro Station until September 3. There will be no Red Line service between Fort Totten and NOMA Metro stations during this time. To assist you with these commute disruptions, goDCgo has compiled 3 great alternative routes to help you navigate your commute.

Try out one of the options below and tag us with #CommuteSmarterNotHarder during the shutdown for a chance to win a free month of Capital Bikeshare!  

Bike the Metropolitan Branch Trail to Save Time and Money 

20-minute commute from Fort Totten to NOMA, $2 per ride with Capital Bikeshare.

Take the Metropolitan Branch Trail for an off-street trail (completely separated from car traffic for most of the way) stretching from Fort Totten to Union Station (see picture, right) where you can easily transfer to the Red Line. There is a Capital Bikeshare station at all four affected Metro stops, download the CaBi App to quickly purchase a $2 trip and be on your way in no time! 

A Capital Bikeshare corral with unlimited parking will be available at 3^rd St. NE and M St. NE from 8am-1pm, on Monday - Friday from 7/23 – 8/31, so you can easily drop off your bike.

Dockless bikeshare or a scooter are other great alternatives for commuting.

Express Buses and Shuttles

Commute times will vary depending on traffic but the shuttles are free. 

Free Shuttles will replace service between Fort Totten, Brookland, Rhode Island Ave, and NoMa-Gallaudet U stations. There will be additional express shuttles from Brookland and Rhode Island Ave to Metro Center, Gallery Place, and Union Station neighborhoods.

The MetroExtra G9 usually operates only during rush hour, but during the shutdown will run at all times Metrorail is open. This route connects to Shaw-Howard & McPherson Square Metro stations. It will operate in a temporary dedicated bus lane on Rhode Island Avenue NE to allow buses to avoid congestion.

P6 originates at the Rhode Island Avenue Metro Station, with connections to numerous downtown Metrorail stations. 80 stops at numerous Metrorail stations, including Brookland.

Check out the map below for additional bus route options and this map for the free express shuttles.

Alternative Rail Options

MARC train, 30-minute commute and $5 one-way.

Green and Yellow lines will be operating additional trains to accommodate riders that transfer between Fort Totten and Gallery Place to avoid the closed stations.

The MARC Brunswick Line has a stop in Rockville Silver Spring before reaching Union Station where a connection can be made to Red Line. The MARC Brunswick Line operates on weekdays only.

If you have additional questions, please tweet us @godcgo or email [email protected]. WMATA has additional info here. 

Ride Smart with SmarTrip®

Do you ride the rail or bus? If not, now's the time to start! We encourage you to try transit this winter. Whether you're a rookie or a vet to public transit, we want to make sure you're familiar with all the perks that having a SmarTrip® card provides you with as a local transit rider. A SmarTrip® card is a durable, plastic, rechargeable farecard used to pay Metrorail and local bus system fares... and it's pretty "smart" because it keeps track of the value on the card!

DC Ranks #1 Place to Visit in 2020: Prep for Guests

Of the New York Times' top 52 places to go in 2020, our very own Washington, DC came in at number one! You may be wondering, why now? Well, in addition to the city's already rich history, political precedence, memorials, monuments, and FREE exhibitions, DC culture is on the rise. Our nation's capital is one of the very few majority-minority cities in the country, so we have garnered a diverse culture of food, music, and art. Residents can barely keep up with all the new trending restaurants that are popping up with blended international influences. Now that our city has been nationally recognized as a top place to visit, hotels and lodging providers should prepare for an influx of visitors this year.

Are You Up for the Challenge?

Get your game face on! We're seeking top DC employers who offer commuter benefits to join goDCgo's first-ever Employer Commuter Challenge from September 1 to 30, 2019. To make DC a healthier, greener, and safer city for all, we're launching this inaugural challenge to encourage employees to use sustainable transportation instead of driving to work alone. Alternative options include biking, walking, public transit, carpooling, vanpooling, scooting and even travel by water taxi here in the District!

Welcome to 2020: New Decade, New Transportation Benefits Increase

Welcome to the new decade! Starting January 1st, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) increases the monthly pre-tax deduction limit for transportation fringe benefits from $265 to $270; that's $5 more towards your transit or vanpool expenses! So, make sure to let your employer know if you'd like to increase your commuter benefits election.

Not yet saving money on the cost of your public transportation or vanpool to work? Let's fix that! Whether you’re an employer or employee, we can give you the tools you need to gain a competitive edge or to save time and money on your commute. Visit goDCgo.com/commuter for transportation options and resources to help you explore a new commute.

goDCgo, Literally!

Since launching in 2010, goDCgo has continued to have a major influence on DC commuters choosing to travel sustainably. goDCgo is an initiative of the District Department of Transportation and the leading resource for sustainable transportation information and options in Washington, DC. We work with DC employers and residential and hospitality industries to provide complimentary consulting services to encourage and support the use of active transportation and public transit. Our goal serves to decrease traffic congestion, improve air quality, and create a better quality of life in the DC area for commuters, residents, and visitors.