Transportation (Public Transit)

The Autonomous Vehicle Deployment Authorization Amendment Act of 2026 creates a new program within the District Department of Transportation to regulate and monitor commercial autonomous vehicles in Washington, D.C. It establishes a phased rollout that begins with driverless testing permits and allows commercial ride-sharing services to launch with a fleet limit of 200 vehicles, expanding only after operators submit plans to manage parking and traffic. The legislation sets specific rules for when different levels of autonomous driving features can be used, requires manufacturers to register high-level automated vehicles, and imposes a tax of $0.15 per mile on commercial autonomous vehicle operations. Revenue from this tax is split to fund improvements to public transit infrastructure and workforce training programs for existing taxi and rideshare drivers. Additionally, the bill clarifies liability rules to determine responsibility in accidents and mandates safety plans for emergency interactions and system failures.

This emergency resolution declares the need to close a specific cul-de-sac on Douglas Street, N.E., in Ward 5 (Square 4350, Lot 0006) to support WMATA's Bladensburg Bus Garage Reconstruction Project. The closure directly affects residents and properties adjacent to this cul-de-sac, enabling the project to expand bus parking from 260 to 290 spots and improve infrastructure for WMATA's zero-emission bus transition. The resolution bypasses standard legislative steps to allow immediate action, as the project requires the closure before permanent legislation (Bill 26-166) is finalized. It takes effect immediately upon approval.

This bill authorizes the closing of a dead-end street (cul-de-sac) and the dedication of a portion of land for a public alley at the Bladensburg Bus Garage property (Square 4350, Lot 0006). The change is required to support WMATA’s modernization of the garage, enabling relocation of the main entrance and expansion of bus and employee parking spaces. The new alley, maintained through a public easement, replaces the closed section of Douglas Street. This procedural bill facilitates infrastructure improvements without altering the garage’s core operations.

This bill amends the 1999 Government Employer-Assisted Housing Program to explicitly include public transit employees as eligible participants. It adds a definition clarifying that "public transit employee" covers workers for Metrobus, Metrorail, MetroAccess, and DC Streetcar. The key change updates eligibility language in the law to list "public transit employee" alongside government workers, first-responders, and educators. This expands access to the existing home purchase assistance program for District transit workers without creating new funding or benefits. The bill does not alter the program's structure or costs, only its eligibility criteria.

This emergency resolution approves closing a cul-de-sac on Douglas Street, N.E., in Square 4350 to support WMATA's Bladensburg Bus Garage Reconstruction Project. The closure is needed to expand bus parking (260 to 290 spots), add infrastructure for zero-emission buses, and increase employee parking (100 to 400 spots), avoiding delays before permanent legislation completes congressional review. It directly enables WMATA's project timeline without requiring further public hearings.