Breakfast links: New ways to move
Buses flying by
VDOT will start a pilot program this month to allow commuter buses to travel on the shoulder of I-66 inside the beltway during heavy traffic. The pilot will kick-off only with Omniride, but VDOT hopes to add more bus services soon. (Post)
Uber for kids?
Some DC parents are turning to Uber to shuttle their teenagers around town, even though minors are not technically allowed to ride alone. Other ride-hailing services specifically meant for kids are cropping up around the country. (Post)
Walkblock still blocked
The sidewalk on Connecticut Avenue near the Van Ness Metro station, featured in Walkblock of the Week, will remain closed until the Park Van Ness building is finished, likely by the end of the year. (Forest Hills Connection)
TOD comes to Totten
Metro found a developer to transform the large, 400-space surface parking lot next to the Fort Totten Metro station into a mixed-use transit oriented development. Construction should begin in 2017. (City Paper)
Secondhand smoke
A DC judge ordered a man to stop smoking in his own home after a family in an adjacent property complained that the smoke frequently seeped into their home and endangered their health. (Post)
“Rain tax” lives, for now
Maryland Senate and House committees have voted down Governor Hogan’s attempt to repeal stormwater fees. But another version of the bill, sponsored by the Senate president, will likely pass. (WAMU)
Underground plans
There are big plans afoot for Dupont Underground. The organization leasing the old streetcar tunnel under Dupont Circle wants to renovate the tunnels and use them for arts events, and eventually open a micro hotel. (UrbanTurf)
And…
Transit trips set a record in 2014, but don’t get too excited. (Citylab) … Riders chronicle their complicated relationship with the X2 Metrobus through Twitter. (Post) … DC’s potential new “Cat Cafe” is doing well on Kickstarter. (DCist)