Photo by willandbeyond.

In Rockville, on the rails

Just as press coverage of Metro was turning positive, two more track workers died on the Red Line near Rockville. The Post has a timeline of worker fatalities that already shows the epidemic of these incidents before today’s. Shuttle buses are jammed; take buses or MARC.  

In Wheaton, on the roads

A driver killed an elderly woman as she was trying to cross Georgia Avenue in Wheaton. Police haven’t been able to identify her. (Post)  

VA bike legislation moving forward

The Virginia Bicycling Federation is covering bike-related legislation in the Virginia legislature, which does all its work in a short period of time at the start of each year. A bill to reduce liability for railroads that allow trails on their rights-of-way cleared committee yesterday; another that sets a three-foot passing distance (consistent with most other jurisdictions) is up tomorrow.  (Tip: Andrew D.)  

Archives banning photography

The National Archives plans to ban photography. Flashes may be damaging documents, but the policy also shows an ignorance of the value of sophisticated amateur photography. One DC Photo Rights commenter suggests an easy way for non-professionals to get permission to take pictures after showing they understand the importance of not using the flash. (Post, We Love DC, Flickr)  

WSJ pounces on small bag fee confusion

The bag fee, as passed, applies to anyone selling food or drink, which has created some confusion at businesses that sell a tiny amount of food and drink. DDOE plans to issue regulations to fix this, but that doesn’t stop the WSJ’s Sara Murray from making snide remarks about how “government is having trouble legislating its way out of a plastic bag.” How many of the private companies you cover end up having a few customers affected strangely by new policies? For answers, look here. (WSJ, A. Moussako)  (Tip: A. Moussako)  

Dulles AeroTrain opens

Dulles Airport’s new $1.5 billion AeroTrain is now open for passengers. The MWAA site has photos of the construction and the rail cars. Sorry United passengers, most of you will still have to take a mobile lounge (D gates) or walk along a walkway from the station (C gates).  

Union Station more intermodal now with buses

Bolt Bus, DC2NY, and Washington Deluxe will now stop at Union Station, in a 6-month pilot of having intercity buses stop in the station’s garage. (DDOT)