Breakfast links: Same old, same old
Metro is more than just the train
A few weeks after the Red Line crash, many riders are still using the bus. It’s a lot slower, but some are sticking with the bus because it’s cheaper, or because they are afraid to go back to rail. (Post, Stephen Miller) (Tip: Stephen Miller)
ReadOn
Another rider caught a transit driver paying attention to something other than operating. This time, it was on a Ride-On bus, where according to the rider’s photographs, the driver seems to be reading while driving. (WTOP)
Denser counties safer, motorcycling not
Road fatalities have decreased in the region’s denser counties, but increased in many more rural areas. Motorcycle fatalities are also up, partly due to more inexperienced drivers switching for the better fuel economy; bicycle fatalities have also risen, though not as part of an ongoing trend. (Post, Stephen Miller) (Tip: Stephen Miller)
More stop sign tickets
Richard Layman narrowly escaped getting a ticket for not coming to an absolute, complete stop on his bike on the way to Friday’s policy greenhouse. (RPUS)
A loophole and a sex-shop flounder
After Alexandria denied an Old Town property owner’s request to add onto his historic “flounder” shed, the owner leased the property to a sex shop. Now, a city ordinance might allow the owner to proceed with the addition despite the city’s and preservationists’ objections. (Gazette Packet)
A fourth the parking
Old Town Manassas closed its VRE parking garage during the Fourth of July, arguing that it would otherwise dump too many cars onto the street at one time. But do residents have any alternative but to drive and park somewhere nearby? (PT’s Parking Blog)
Advice to GOP: Be innovative, except in transportation?
A Baltimore Sun op-ed suggests ways to revitalize the Maryland GOP, including embracing environmental cleanup. Unfortunately, the author doesn’t draw the connection to transportation and land use, recommending Republicans keep pushing for projects like the I-95 widening instead of transit. He says that’s because it’ll take years for projects like the Red Line to benefit commuters, but that roads are cost-effective. Sorry, new roads are on the drawing boards just as long, and are less cost-effective. Plus, how will that distinguish them from Maryland Democrats, again?
Wonder Woman wins!
Wonder Woman has won the NOI mock election. Street sweeping is safe and streetcars are at the top of the agenda, at least in the fictional world where she actually becomes mayor. Who will she pick as Deputy Mayor of Planning and Economic Development?