Breakfast links: Streetcar, streetcar, streetcar
Big interest in streetcar
Over 500 people applied for 34 jobs working on DC’s new streetcar. The biggest hiring challenge will be operators who will have to learn to “cohabitate with traffic.” (Post)
Streetcar is a cash cow
Portland witnessed $3.5 billion in development within two blocks of its streetcars. The District is expecting $18 billion in development within 10 years around the streetcar network, with demand for office space leading the way. (Post)
Do streetcars count?
Are streetcars really an integral part of the transit network or just development catalysts? Analysis of 7 cities shows that streetcar ridership is a small percentage of total transit ridership, except in New Orleans. (Atlantic Cities)
Not just red light cameras anymore
DC’s traffic cameras will now issue $250 tickets to drivers who fail to yield to pedestrians or drive through intersections at unsafe speeds. Drivers who block intersections or roll through stop signs can get a $50 fine. (Post)
Misleading poll question?
Was there misleading wording in the Post’s poll question that found 59% of DC residents oppose the DC United soccer stadium deal? Also, polls from 2004 show only 40% of residents supported the Nationals Park deal, but now that number is 70%. (City Paper)
The transit Super Bowl
Super Bowl organizers hope the few hundred thousand visitors to the New York/New Jersey area this weekend use trains and buses. Transportation agencies will increase service and offer Super Passes. (Post)
Why transit remains Balkanized
Except during major sports events, trains from New York and Connecticut don’t run through Penn Station to New Jersey and vice versa. There are historic reasons for this, mostly political. And a lot of them also apply to why MARC and VRE don’t run between Maryland and Virginia. (Capital)
And…
Several colleges in southwestern Virginia will get electricity from methane that comes from local landfills. (Post, Dave Murphy) … The chapel at St. Elizabeths will become an “interim innovation hub” while DC works on getting the rest of the campus ready for people and offices. (WBJ) (Tip: Dave Murphy)
Thanks, Guardian!
The Guardian launched a new city-focused site, Guardian Cities, and named Greater Greater Washington to its list of the “best city blogs around the world.” Thanks Guardian, and thanks to all our readers, commenters, and contrbutors!