Breakfast links: Metro moves
New Metro rep
The DC Council enacted legislation to replace Tom Downs with Corbett Price on the WMATA board. Mayor Bowser handpicked Price, a healthcare consultant with no transit experience, to fix Metro’s financial problems. (Post)
Metroway scores
After seven months, Metro’s Metroway bus has exceeded ridership projections, serving 23% more riders than the bus line it replaced. Metroway runs partially in bus-only lanes with frequent service. (Alexandria Times)
No union
The Amalgamated Transit Union says that DC Streetcar fired one-third of their employees for trying to organize a union. The union wants Mayor Bowser to fire the streetcar managers and hand the entire program over to WMATA. (AFL-CIO)
Transit-rich budget
Montgomery County Executive Leggett’s new budget proposes more Capital Bikeshare stations, an increase in Bethesda circulator service, and a new funding structure for the struggling Bethesda parking district. (BethesdaNow)
Rethinking in Arlington
Arlington is working on bus improvements along Columbia Pike and in Crystal City following the streetcar cancellation and will re-examine plans for the expensive Long Bridge aquatics complex. (Post)
Walk safer in Arlington
Arlington continues to improve pedestrian safety in the Rosslyn-Ballston corridor with curb extensions in Clarendon and a “Yield to Pedestrians” sign at the intersection of doom. (ArlNow)
Parity for commuters
A bipartisan group of congressmen introduced a bill to increase federal commuter benefits by $105 for transit and by $15 for cycling. Commuters would also be able to use the benefit on bikeshare. (TheWashCycle)
Failure to house
There is virtually no private affordable housing left in DC. DC’s housing boom has mostly benefited the rich, and planned density restrictions in rich neighborhoods will likely exacerbate the affordable housing crisis. (The Week)
The bus pays
A pilot program in Atlanta will give commuters $2 in express lane toll credits for every bus trip they take on I-85. The program seeks to reduce the number of cars on the road during rush hour. (NextCity)