Breakfast links: Funding strategies
Second snow day
Most area schools are closed for the second day in a row while DC and the federal government are on a two-hour delay. Metrobus is running a moderate snow plan. (Post, WMATA)
Bike hike
In May, Capital Bikeshare prices will increase for the first time since the system opened in 2010. Bikeshare will use the fare increase to support expansion and other improvements, like new bike “rebalancing” strategies. (Post)
No statehood, but we can sled!
Dozens of kids showed up yesterday to a neighborhood organized a “sled-in” on Capitol Hill. Capitol Police handed out fliers on regulations, but did not stop anyone from sledding. (City Paper)
More Maryland light rail?
Charles County needs $20 million to start plans for a light rail line that would connect to Metro. The county hopes it can sway the state with its relatively low costs, but the project wasn’t even a priority under O’Malley. (Gazette)
Uber-happy in Maryland
A widely supported bill going through the Maryland legislature would allow ride-hailing companies, like Uber, to operate legally if they register with a regulatory body and conduct background checks on drivers. (Post)
More Amtrak funding details
The new four-year Amtrak funding bill lets Amtrak use Northeast Corridor profits on infrastructure improvements and orders a study that might lead to roll-on bike services. (Streetsblog)
Compact is cheap
It costs nearly 2.5 times as much to fund public services for suburban sprawl vs dense urban areas. One study found that the space between homes was directly proportionate to the cost of maintaining services. (Streetsblog)
And…
Arlington is nearly out of road salt and is not treating all roads as a result. (ARLNow) … Here’s how yesterday’s snowstorm looked from various modes of transportation. (Post) … California drivers are bringing in a lot of money for high-speed rail through the state’s cap-and-trade program. (CityLab)