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Travel Tips for Touring Washington, DC

Planning a trip to visit the District? Get the true DC experience by learning about the available transportation options to navigate the city with ease. Our Program Director, Danelle Carey, planned a weeklong stay in the District with a goal to have a car-free experience. During her stay, she was able to get to meetings, events, and visit iconic sites using bikeshare, scooters, and public transit. However, she discovered some details that can help visitors like you avoid the hassles and inconveniences that she experienced. To help you happily explore DC, we've outlined some travel tips below.

Employer Tips: Transitioning Back to the Workplace

The District of Columbia has officially re-opened and many organizations and businesses are planning their transition back to the physical worksite. As more employees return to their regular commute, there are many ways that you can help increase their confidence in using public transit again.

While employees are planning their trips to work, they may have questions about reinstating their pre-tax benefits or subsidies for transit or vanpools. Additionally, over the past year, we've received some questions related to DC Commuter Benefits Law compliance that we've addressed below in order to help you meet those requirements.

Kids Ride Free: Getting Back to the Classroom

Now that students have recently returned to school, we want to make sure you know about all the ways they can get there -- for FREE! The Kids Ride Free (KRF) transit subsidy program allows students to ride the Metrobus, Metrorail, and DC Circulator to school and school-related events and activities within the District at NO COST. Have questions? goDCgo has the answers! Review the frequently asked questions (FAQs) below for more information.

Sharing the Love: New Concepts in Carsharing

Here at goDCgo, we love the freedom that Zipcar, car2go and Enterprise Carshare offer District residents who choose to live car-free. Today, some companies are looking to add to that list by putting an interesting spin on traditional carsharing with  “peer to peer” or "neighborhood" programs. The idea is simple: allow individual car owners to rent out their vehicles when they're not in use to non-car owners.

Benefiting both owner and renter, “neighborhood” carsharing has taken off across the US and is causing a positive shift from personal to shared transport. Car owners are able to offset the cost of ownership and maintenance—potentially earning up to $10,000 a year depending on the type of car and number of rental hours, while renters gain access to lower rates and more conveniently located vehicles.

As an added bonus, every shared car replaces approximately 14 cars on the road, leading to less road congestion and pollution.

Commute with Care and Confidence

#DCisOpen and resuming your commute to work is one of the things you are likely thinking about these days. If you haven't noticed already, traffic congestion is growing in the DC metro area, so you can save a ton of time by opting to take public transit instead. We understand any looming concerns, and we're here to assure you that the safety, health, and wellness of riders and the community continue to be the District's priority. To help you feel safer about using public transportation, goDCgo, the District Department of Transportation (DDOT), DC Circulator, DC Streetcar, and the Washington Metropolitan Area Transportation Authority (WMATA) have teamed up to provide you with the latest information and updates to help you feel confident resuming your commute on public transit.

Getting to the Fall Festivities in DC

While Washington, DC has reopened for the summer, there's even more coming in the fall! We're getting back to our regularly scheduled programming and looking forward to the return of in-person music and food events, art shows, and neighborhood festivals throughout the city. There's a long list of upcoming events, so goDCgo has highlighted five popular fall festivals that you should attend and the best ways to get there without a car. Please be advised that face masks are required for ALL riders when using public transit while on board, within stations, and at bus stops. If you are not fully vaccinated, you must continue to wear a face mask indoors and in crowded outdoor spaces. 

Whether you live in the District or visiting to experience the culture, goDCgo highly suggests leaving the car behind to avoid traffic and the search for parking. Get to the fall festivities using sustainable transportation instead! In addition to the public transit options below, you can easily get around by walking, bikeshare, or scooter.

Perks of Real-Time Transit Displays

Ready to get real? Real-time transit displays, that is! Transit display screens show real-time information about local buses, trains, subways, bikeshare, and weather. Here in DC, that includes public transportation information about Capital Bikeshare, DC Circulator, Metrobus, Metrorail, Lyft, and Uber.

goDCgo Recognizes New Residential Ambassadors

Despite challenges presented by the pandemic, many residential properties in the District have remained resilient over the past year. Whether it was an existing multi-family property or new development, goDCgo appreciates these properties' commitment to providing and promoting sustainable transportation for staff and residents. 

Getting to DC’s Walk-Up Vaccination Sites

As of Saturday, May 1, Washington, DC has transitioned to the use of 11 high-capacity, walk-up, no appointment needed vaccination sites. Please be advised that designated walk-up sites are for first vaccination doses ONLY. After you receive your first dose, you still need to make an appointment to get your second dose. The walk-up sites are available in addition to pharmacies, clinics, and health care providers that are administering the vaccines throughout the District. These sites will operate their own scheduling systems. 

5 Reasons Why Students Should Walk to School

When students walk to school, they're setting good habits and a positive tone for the day. Although distance, weather, and infrastructure can make walking challenging for some, those that do live within walking distance (typically 1 mile or less) can reap some amazing benefits from getting their stride on each day. Here are five ways walking to school can benefit your children and family. 
 
1. Improve Test Scores 
Adding just 20 minutes of physical activity (approximately the time it takes to walk a mile) into a child's day can increase test scores. In a 2015 study, researchers found that after just 20 minutes of physical activity students tested better in reading, spelling, and math and were more likely to read above their grade level. By having your child walk to and from school you can help them perform better.  
 
2. Fewer Sick Days 
Walking just 30 minutes a day can boost your child's immune system and cut their risk of catching a cold in half. Walking to school could mean fewer sick days for your child and fewer missed work days for you.  
 
3. Improve Mental Health 
With mental health issues rising in children throughout the past decade, it's important to find small ways to combat these issues and improve mental health on a daily basis. During the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, children have been sheltered from their normal interactions with peers such as playing during recess and the overall social aspect of being in person. Walking can help to reduce the severity of mental health issues. Just an hour of physical activity a day can help reduce stress and reduce depression and anxiety.  
 
4. Improve Sleep 
Sleep is crucial for children and teens who are developing both mentally and physically, but unfortunately students, especially teenagers, can have issues with sleep and often don't get a good night's rest. Walking to school can help children and teens sleep more soundly and improve their sleep quality. Getting an adequate amount of sleep in turn can contribute to higher test scores, better moods and behavior, and improved mental and physical health.  
 
5. It's Good For You, Too! 
It's advised that children under ten are walked to school by a parent, trusted adult, or as a part of a walkpool (similar to carpools but walking instead of driving). By walking your child to school, you can reap the health benefits that walking brings as well. Walking just 30 minutes a day can reduce the risk of diabetes, heart disease, depression, certain cancers, Alzheimer's and dementia, osteoporosis while improving fatigue, blood pressure, strength, and boosting endorphins and the immune system. Walking your child to school can make you healthier and happier!  
 
Worried About Safety?  
Safety can be a big concern for many parents when it comes to walking to school. Parents can ensure their child is safe by helping them understand and obey traffic signs and signals. Walking in groups and adopting a buddy system can also increase safety. Walkers should also avoid using electronics that could distract them during their route.  
 
In addition, the District's Safe Routes to Schools program works year-round to advance safe walking and biking to and from schools and address problem areas. DC's Safe Passage initiative has also identified safe spot locations that are local stores and businesses known to welcome students who encounter safety issues on their way to and from school. Find safe spot locations along your route to school.