Breakfast links: Service oriented
Give, take
Mayor Bowser’s legislation to ban pot clubs passed unanimously yesterday. (Post) … The council supports legislation to let breweries, like restaurants and bars, to serve alcohol in sidewalk cafés or summer gardens. But it may take awhile to become law. (City Paper)
More data needed
Anita Bonds wants to create a public database of the city’s 80,000 rent-controlled units to make it easier to find and track affordable housing. But many rent-controlled units are not actually affordable. (City Paper)
Public busing, private schools?
Montgomery County will continue a pilot program that uses public school buses to transport private school students. County officials support the program because it reduces traffic congestion. (BethesdaNow)
More MARC trains
MARC’s Camden Line will add two additional trips per day between DC and Baltimore. The MTA says the expansion is in response to increased ridership to the University of Maryland and several federal agencies. (MTA)
Stamp of approval
Maryland’s senate unanimously approved Pete Rahn as the new MDOT secretary on Monday, despite concerns around his support of the Purple and Red Line projects and his lack of experience outside of highways. (Post)
Stairway to maintenance
One of Metro’s newest escalators is already undergoing extensive repairs. The escalator, which debuted at the Dupont Circle station in 2012, has been out of service nearly every day since early December. (WAMU, Joe)
Ticket to ride
Seattle’s transit system will charge riders based on income level. Proponents say the move was necessary after the tech boom pushed lower-income residents into the suburbs. (BBC, BTA)
And…
The cherry blossoms should hit peak bloom around April 11-14. (DCist) … Can you think of a terrible surface parking lot? Submit it to Streetsblog’s worst parking crater competition. … Smithsonian museums have officially banned “Selfie Sticks.” (WBJ)