Breakfast links: From the feds
Soccergate?
Mayor Bowser is catching flak over changing course on support for the Pepco-Exelon merger after Pepco contributed $25 million towards the construction of the new DC United soccer stadium. Activists are calling for an ethics investigation over the deal. (Post)
Don’t stall on WMATA safety
DC, Maryland, and Virginia have until 2019 to replace the ineffective Tri-State Oversight Committee with independent safety oversight for WMATA. FTA head Theresa McMillan says even though it might be tough to get a bill through all three legislatures, there’s no reason to wait until the deadline. (WAMU)
Forward-thinking Foxx
At a recent conference, U.S. Secretary of Transportation Foxx conceded that widening roads is not the answer to traffic congestion and lauded Virginia’s ongoing investment in transportation options. (Inside Business, LEW) (Tip: LEW)
New plans for St. Elizabeths
Budget cuts have stalled much of the planned office space for the Department of Homeland Security at St. Elizabeths West. But now a new plan from President Obama could consolidate space, save money, and bring some much needed investment in Ward 8. (Post)
Rerouting for the wrong reasons
Georgetown University made its bus route to Dupont Circle at least twice as long during rush hour just to avoid a residential area where people had complained about the bus traffic. (Georgetown Metropolitan)
Lyft Line in DC
Lyft Line joins uberPool and Split as the latest dynamic carpooling service in the region. But will people really be willing to share their ride? (Post)
Ride transit for your health
A recent medical study found that people who commute via transit are healthier than those who drive. Transit riders were even healthier than walkers and bikers due to walking to transit. (treehugger, LEW) (Tip: LEW)
And…
This Metro train operator’s booming voice and pithy announcements put a smile on everyone’s face. (NPR) … Airbnb is ready to pay lodging taxes and disclose activity data to cities, including DC, as part of a new “community compact.” (WBJ) … A Metrobus clipped the side of a DC Streetcar yesterday. (CityPaper)