Breakfast links: Delayed gratification
7000 series delayed
Most of the new 7000-series rail cars won’t start arriving until August of 2014, several months after the December 2013 scheduled opening of the Silver Line. This will put a strain on rail car reserves. (Examiner)
Pick your poison
Many industrial areas in DC have vacant areas, particularly in Wards 5 and 7, but Councilmembers McDuffie and Alexander disagree on whether distilleries or marijuana cultivation facilities are better additions to their wards. (City Paper)
No way around bypass
Governor McDonnell has apparently booted Commonwealth Transportation Board member James Rich for opposing the Charlottesville bypass. Rich says he plans to continue fighting the bypass and hopes the General Assembly will stop it. (Charlottesville Tomorrow)
Transit not good enough in northern DC?
Many people in Ward 3 and Ward 4 seem skeptical about transit-oriented living because there isn’t great transit coverage. Does the area need more feeder routes to Metro stations, like Ride On? (RPUS)
Fact checking bold claims
The Times piece on DC might have been right in calling Brookland lower middle class but $3,000 rents aren’t common at all. And contrary to Jack Evans’ belief, $250k is a lot of money in DC. (R.U. Seriousing Me?)
Congress on Metro
Members of Congress from both parties take Metro, although Eleanor Holmes Norton is not among them. Some complain about reliability and broken escalators, but the system still garners mainly positive reviews. (Politico)
Bike researchers found…
The TRB Conference had some interesting findings including that hillier cycle commutes are more satisfying. Less surprisingly, better connecting bike facilities boosts cycling mode share and it’s better to emphasize how cycling is convenient rather than its health or environmental benefits. (Streetsblog)
Next White House COS bike(d) to work
Denis McDonough, expected to be the next White House Chief of Staff, bikes to work from Takoma Park — or did: “After scrapes with motorists, he now mostly drives,” says the New York Times.
No more parking tickets?
Instead of issuing parking tickets, could cities just charge motorists for the precise time they use a parking space, and establish a sliding scale for increasingly longer times? (Atlantic Cities, Jack Love) (Tip: Jack Love)
And…
One of the few pro-bicycle Republicans will chair a key House transportation subcommittee. (Streetsblog) … Glenn Beck really hates central planning, except when he centrally plans his own city. (Streetsblog) … Bethesda’s bus bays might have to close for 2 years for renovations. (BethesdaNow)