Photo by infosnackhq on Flickr.

A good ridership reduction

WMATA is saving millions by encouraging riders eligible for MetroAccess to ride the bus or Metro, such as by having escorts teach disabled riders how to use the system. The agency also limited eligibility more in recent years. (Examiner)  

Roads vs. rails

To relieve congestion on I-66 outside the Beltway, Fairfax Supervisor Pat Herrity wants I-66 express lanes while Reps. Jim Moran and Gerry Connolly want Metro extended to Centreville.  (Examiner)  

Can you hear me now? How about 2015?

The deadline for full cell phone coverage in the Metro got extended to September of this year, through WMATA says it won’t be up until the end of 2015. (Patch)  

I can park where I want

Texas Rep. Louie Gohmert lost it over $25 NPS parking ticket and tried to intimidate an NPS police officer. Though Congressmen can park in any available curb space while on official business, his visit seemed recreational. (Politico)  

Alerts on Maps

The Google Maps app on smart phones will now show Metro service alerts in its transit directions. They’ve also started rolling out real-time departure information in New York and Salt Lake City.  (Post)  

Transit greatly helps congestion

Transit reduces auto traffic even more than usually thought, because it takes drivers off the most crowded roads, say economists based on the change in congestion during a Los Angeles transit strike. (NYT, Ben Ross)  

Inspectors didn’t inspect

The contractor responsible for inspecting the concrete at the Silver Spring Transit Center failed to do their job, say independent engineers. They didn’t measure concrete thickness and didn’t raise alarms when cracks emerged. (Post)  

And…

Higher speed limits come to the ICC this weekend, saving drivers a whopping 90 seconds. (Post) … 10% of Mt. Pleasant homes have solar panels. (Grist) … WMATA will run late service Thursday night for the NCAA Sweet 16. (NBC)