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City Cast DC

 will change your bus route. It’s the system’s first overhaul in 50 years, and they’re making changes to every existing line. Expect all route names to have new names, some routes to disappear, and 527 stops eliminated to speed up service.

So what does this mean for you? We spoke to Allison Davis who leads Metro’s Office of Planning about the thought behind this and 

how you can prepare for the upcoming changes

Davis says the existing names that have been around for decades don’t really tell the story of where the buses actually go and didn’t help people understand where to go. In the new system, the first letter of the route name will signal the direction or jurisdiction that route operates in. For example, routes that start with 

. In the District, routes that start with "D" go Downtown. "C" indicates crosstown. And express routes will have an 

You’ve likely seen some signs on your current bus route signaling route changes. But if you haven’t figured that out yet, you can also head to the 

 to see your new route. Select a date after July 29. For example, if you typically took the 90 bus route from 18th Street NW and California Street NW in Adams Morgan to get to La Cosecha in the Union Market area, the new bus route would be the 

Third-party apps may not be updated on these bus route changes by June 29, such as Google, Waze, etc., but Davis says they expect these apps to be updated within a short period of time.

Plus, will this improve accessibility?

Bus ridership in Washington, D.C., Maryland, and Virginia will dramatically change on June 29. Here's how you can prepare for new, and disappearing, bus routes.

How to Prepare for Metro Bus Network Changes

What Washingtonians have been wondering. We break down why things in DC are the way they are and how they work.

DC, Explained

hundreds of military vehicles and aircraft

 this Saturday as part of the military parade and celebration of the U.S. Army’s 250th birthday — which coincides with President Trump’s 79th birthday. The festival will begin at 11 a.m.,  the parade at 6:30 p.m., and the fireworks show at 9:45 p.m., 

. Some senators expressed concern over this level of spending during a period of major federal spending cuts. One-third of the budget has been allocated for street repairs during the parade, as opponents and D.C. officials have expressed concerns over the potential damage that tanks and other heavy vehicles could inflict on D.C. streets. The U.S. Army began 

While D.C. is used to big celebrations, a large-scale military celebration like this is 

. Critics have voiced concerns about the imagery involved in the day, such as showcasing High Mobility Artillery Rocket System weaponry that has been used to launch rockets in Afghanistan, Iraq, and Syria.

It’s going to be a lot to take in as a D.C. resident. Here’s some important information to help you navigate this event:

Officials have announced mass street closures, with some having already started on June 9. Dozens of streets, highway exits, bridges, expressways, and more will be posted as Emergency No Parking and closed to vehicle traffic through to Monday, June 16 — 

. Many streets will remain open to local traffic only starting Friday, June 13.

Metro’s service announcement for the military parade

 includes Metrobus detours or delays, which stations to avoid, and which stations to take if attending the parade. Capital Bikeshare will remain open through the parade, 

but some stations near the event will be closed

Organizers say they expect June 14 to be the “

largest single-day anti-President Trump rally

” since he began his second presidency. Across the U.S., 

millions are expected to protest in more than 1,800 rallies

. President Trump said he plans to meet protesters with “

But, there will be no organized protest in the district. The No Kings organization, which is leading the counter-protest movement across the U.S., said not protesting in D.C. is a deliberate choice to “not give the Trump administration an opportunity to stoke and then put the focus on conflict." However, protests are expected in Maryland and Virginia.

The parade’s scheduling has led to the relocation of other events, including the 

Vietnam veterans’ ‘In Memory’ ceremony

. It will not take place at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in D.C. this year — a tradition it has carried out for three decades. The event has been moved six miles south to Alexandria.

💰 Plus, how the $45M cost will affect DC

The military parade and celebration of the U.S. Army’s 250th birthday is taking place this Saturday, June 14, in Washington, D.C. Here's how to prepare for road closures, service changes, counter protests, and more.

How to Prepare for the Military Parade in Washington, D.C.

What to Expect from Trump's Military Parade

What's being decided in DC City Hall and why it matters. We monitor local elections, political news, and DC City Council.

DC Election and City Hall News

Local Civics

Construction is set to begin this summer to “deck over” a busy section of Connecticut Avenue NW to transform it into a vibrant new public plaza. But some residents and local businesses are concerned over how the project will affect them. We spoke with NBC4 Transportation Reporter Adam Tuss, who helped us understand 

what this all means for Dupont Circle and D.C.

 would cover a section of roadway that drops underneath the Connecticut Avenue underpass in Dupont Circle. This new, multi-modal streetscape along Connecticut Avenue will start at the north side of Dupont Circle and continue north to California Street NW.

The project isn’t designed to fix a problem, rather to improve the area. Tuss says city officials believe that putting this deck over Dupont Circle can make the area more useful and pedestrian and cyclist-friendly. The goal is to make the plaza a place where people can hang out and increase traffic to local businesses.

Traffic due to construction is a major concern for Dupont Circle residents and businesses. Connecticut Avenue is a major commuter route in D.C., so if it has to be shut down to facilitate construction, Tuss says some residents told him they’re concerned that traffic will likely spill over into their residential streets. Another concern is the big, heavy equipment used during construction putting pressure on their streets and causing obstructions in their day-to-day.

🏗️ What’s next for the “deck over” project?

DDOT is expecting to break ground on the project sometime in July, and is expected to be a three-year effort. The estimated project cost is $30 million, which Tuss explains isn’t really a lot compared to other transportation or transit projects — though that amount could change as the project starts.

🎧 Plus, does Dupont Circle even need a deck over?

Understanding the Controversial New Public Plaza in Dupont Circle

The time has come for D.C. Council to settle the debate that has taken over local transit politics for weeks — fix K Street, or make buses free. City Cast DC's newest member Susannah Brown is here to break it down.

Mayor Bowser has been a staunch advocate for the K Street Transitway project for years. 

 the city allocated $122 million to make the downtown area more efficient and safer. The plan includes a car-free bus lane and new tree-lined traffic islands to aid pedestrians. It originally included a two-way protected bike lane that has been 

However, Council Chair Phil Mendelson and Councilmember Charles Allen want to pause the K Street project and put those funds towards fare-free buses.

do we make our transit more efficient or do we make it free?

Some argue that the benefits of the K Street Transitway are more immediately evident, citing safety, traffic solutions, and a revitalization of downtown D.C.

Others point out that many people riding the bus tend to have significantly lower incomes than the general population, which makes the free bus proposal a question of equity.

We’ll know more on Tuesday when D.C. Council holds its first vote on the proposed $19.7 billion fiscal 2024 budget.

Have a strong opinion on this transit feud? Let your councilmember know! 

Find out who your representatives are here

hear more about the opposing sides of this heated debate

transportation

How to Prepare for Metro Bus Network Changes

What to Expect from Trump's Military Parade

Understanding the Controversial New Public Plaza in Dupont Circle

Latest articles

How to Prepare for Metro Bus Network Changes

What to Expect from Trump's Military Parade

Understanding the Controversial New Public Plaza in Dupont Circle

Local Civics: The transit debate comes to a vote. Efficient or free?

Latest articles

Local Civics: The transit debate comes to a vote. Efficient or free?