All about Bobs (and Tom)

Fri, 16 Apr 2010 09:19:00 EDT

Bob McCartney recommends against cutting MetroAccess service to the ¾-mile minimum (Post) ... Senator Bob Menendez proposes a new tax credit for transit-oriented development (Streetsblog) ... Rethink College Park criticizes opponents of grad student housing, including Councilmember Tom Dernoga.

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Breakfast links: Whee

Thu, 01 Apr 2010 08:00:00 EDT

by David Alpert

Image from HerrVebah with thanks to haglundc.

This article was posted as an April Fool's joke.

It'll be faster, too: Accepting a fiscal reality, Metro will stop trying to repair its down escalators. Instead, the agency will replace the escalators with Playskool™ slides. (Erik W.)

Boo: There's finally an explanation for "ghost buses" in the NextBus system, where buses are listed but don't actually show up: These are actual ghosts of eliminated routes and trips. Riders also report feeling a cold wind when they pass. Thanks to these buses, service on October 31 will be substantially increased. (Michael P.)

Get in the car lane: During his chat today on the Kojo Nnamdi show, DDOT Director Gabe Klein is expected to announce a new DDOT program to restripe all roads for bicyclists. A new 2-person "car program" will start planning a network of special lanes for cars to ensure drivers feel safe. At intersections, the walk signals will always be activated; drivers have to stop and find a small button on the pole to get a green light. The plans do not consider buses. (Matt', Michael P.)

New flock calls for inclusionary wiring: An organization for workforce birds is calling for an inclusionary wiring law that would mandate that 10% of downtown streets include overhead wires. The group's spokesman told the Post, "The burden on families can be severe. Many birds are forced to commute hundreds of thousands of miles each year. That's not right." (Neil)

Stronger preservation: The Historic Preservation Office will manufacture new plastic covers for historic areas. Similar your grandmother's sofa covers, these will guard against pop-ups, pastiche, and vinyl siding and will cost 5¢ each. Regular GGW commenter Lance expressed outrage at the cost. (Neil, Eric F.)

Unacceptable safety record: In a strongly-worded letter, Senators Bob Menendez (D-NJ), David Vitter (R-LA) and Barbara Mikulski (D-MD) are threatening a federal takeover of the National Mall if pedestrian safety conditions do not improve.

Great new blog: GGW contributors Jaime Fearer and Geoff Hatchard have spun off to launch their own blog, titled Greater Greater Greater Washington. Not to be outdone, Cavan Wilk recently bought the URL for Greatest Greatest Washington, and Matt Johnson and Michael Perkins plann to launch Really Wicked Greater Washington in May. (Steve O.)

15 comments

DDOT website first to get landmark status (Apr 1, 2009)
Metro plans 99 express bus on new route to Dupont (Sep 27, 2010)
Happy hour, bike ride tonight (Dec 21, 2010)
Should DC take over local bus routes? (Oct 28, 2010)
Circulator thrombosis (Mar 16, 2009)

See no unsafety, speak no unsafety

Tue, 10 Nov 2009 11:01:00 EDT

by David Alpert

The Post discovered that Metro prevented safety monitors from accessing the tracks to watch normal Metrorail operation. Jim Graham promised to "fix this", and Senators Barbara Mikulski (D-MD) and Bob Menendez (D-NJ) are calling for investigations.

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Bob Menendez - Greater Greater Washington

All about Bobs (and Tom)

Breakfast links: Whee

See no unsafety, speak no unsafety