Breakfast links: Problems addressed

by Steven Yates • July 19, 2012 8:39 am

Ride On bus model that is fire-prone. Image from Ben Schumin.

Ride On pulls buses: Ride On will run a modified holiday schedule today and tomorrow because all of its 26 Champion buses were permanently removed from service over safety concerns after six of the buses caught fire over the past two years. (Examiner)

Better service for some: In an attempt to avoid customer service problems, some high profile MetroAccess customers get special treatment including direct rides, which is above federal requirements. (Examiner)

Finish the trail: A completed Washington Boulevard Trail would help with the relative lack of north south bike trails in Arlington, but some neighbors object that they didn't know about the project and that trees would have to be removed. (Patch)

Music for Metro: WMATA is looking for artists to perform at Metro stations, but some artists object to not being able to collect tips and to the late notice of auditions. (Post, DCist)

One large car sharing fleet: GM vehicles with OnStar can now be rented out thus creating a car sharing service. Car owners set the rates and renters use their cell phones to unlock the car. (Edmunds, Circle Thomas)

Viva la streetcar: US systems can learn from France's experiences on how to build streetcar service including giving them their own right of way, using larger vehicles, and standardizing construction and rolling stock. (City Block, Andrew Schmadel)

And...: WMATA identified the likely culprit of last weekend's shutdowns. (DCist) ... The Clif Bar company celebrated its 20th anniversary by giving each of its more than 300 employees a bicycle. (Public Bikes) ... Construction for the BRT route on Route 1 is set to start soon. (Patch)

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Steven Yates grew up in Indiana before moving to DC in 2002 to attend college at American University. He currently lives in Southwest DC.

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WMATA is looking for artists to perform at Metro stations, but some artists object to not being able to collect tips and to the late notice of auditions.

What? They do auditions? How come the instrument-tortures at Crystal City get through any form of judging then?

Please, please, please metro. Have some standards, and do not allow every clown that wants to practice his Bob Marley tunes to call it a show and play.

by Jasper on Jul 19, 2012 9:27 am • link • report

I don't think Metro owns the tunnel where the Crystal City buskers perform.

by Andrew Schmadel on Jul 19, 2012 9:31 am • link • report

Honestly, I think that DC's WMATA performance policies are rank idiocy, for the most part, but on the other hand, it's nice not to have to deal with the almost relentless stream of beggars masquerading as "performers" that are all over the NYC subway system.

Boston, on the other hand, seems to handle the street performer situation in their subway system pretty well. I doubt that DC will ever be able to approach their level of competence, though.

by JustMe on Jul 19, 2012 9:54 am • link • report

That BRT looks nice. Sounds like it will be a success!

Wouldn't be surprised to see it turned in to a light rail line in 15 years.

by H Street Landlord on Jul 19, 2012 10:02 am • link • report

The layout of DC's metro system doesn't seem equipped to really handle these sort of performances.

One of the first things I remember about NYC subway was a Michael Jackson performance. I still like their "performers" to this day.

by HogWash on Jul 19, 2012 10:14 am • link • report

Dedicated grass rights of way for streetcars. DC had those on several major lines. But now we're progressing to a 1930's European type system. ah progress.

That GM car sharing service could be huge. (Could be).

by Tom Coumaris on Jul 19, 2012 10:19 am • link • report

Re: peer-to-peer car-sharing. The story in Edmunds about the undergraduate who rented her car out to a driver who died while using it is chilling. If the damages do indeed surpass the $1 million coverage limit and the owner is held liable, it could financially ruin her.

There are still too many unanswered insurance questions, both on the side of the owner and the side of the renter, when it comes to these peer-to-peer networks, to make me feel comfortable using them.

by Rob P on Jul 19, 2012 10:34 am • link • report

After I sent a long detailed e-mail about the defects on "El-dorado" Fairfax Connector buses, they pulled those from my line.

These things make me very worried about the maintenance of buses.

by Jasper on Jul 19, 2012 1:35 pm • link • report

Screw a few trees, Arlington needs more bike trails.

by Neutrino on Jul 19, 2012 4:13 pm • link • report

Issa may be open to a commuter tax ! :

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/dc-wire/post/darrell-issa-proposes-hearing-on-dc-commuter-tax/2012/07/19/gJQA4PMOwW_blog.html

by Tom Coumaris on Jul 19, 2012 4:45 pm • link • report

@Tom Coumaris

That would be a game changer. I don't think it is a stretch to say we could pay for the entire streetcar network with two years of additional tax collections we would get from this. Would help grow the population too, as it would stop people from using the cheaper income tax rates as a reason to live in Arlington over DC. If you are paying DC taxes anyways, may as well move on over.

This is the best news I have heard all day. Would be an awesome change for sure.

by Kyle W on Jul 19, 2012 5:05 pm • link • report

Gotta give props to Issa. I'm not fan of his politics but dude seems very open-minded when it comes to DC.

by H Street Landlord on Jul 19, 2012 5:11 pm • link • report

RE: Issa
Open-minded enough to hand us a budget autonomy bill with a provision on what we can and can't spend our own money on!

I'll give you that at least it appears he's willing to at least TALK about giving DC some things but I have yet to see evidence that he doesn't want to offer us trades we don't want.

by MLD on Jul 19, 2012 5:26 pm • link • report

One day in Manhattan I heard a platform busker who was singing along in that style that involved some rhythmic murmuring amidst the singing. He was so good that it took me a little while to realize that he was explaining to people how to get where they were trying to go.

by Turnip on Jul 19, 2012 9:10 pm • link • report