Breakfast links: We’d really like nice things
Less money
Are people choosing not to ride Metro? Metro’s passenger revenue fell over the past fiscal year while its expenses rose. Labor costs were one of the biggest expenses. But Metro expects revenue to go up because of new Silver Line ridership. (WTOP)
Escalator out
The Bethesda Metro station’s new escalator broke down for the fourth time after it was installed. Trains skipped the station for a couple hours Monday morning. (City Paper)
Why transit stinks here
Public transit stinks in America because we think of it as a public subsidy. Other countries built transit to connect their communities and let transit agencies raise fares while we were destroying our transit systems. (Vox)
Police on camera
Mayor Bowser is proposing a new plan to release more police body camera footage than any other US city. Public access to footage from indoor private spaces would be limited due to privacy concerns. (Post)
Pennsylvania Avenue revitalized
Offices are abandoning Pennsylvania Avenue for more vibrant neighborhoods. The National Capital Planning Commission is looking at both physical changes and new ways to revitalize the corridor. (WBJ)
Maximize the Mall
Some advocates think the Mall should be bigger, even though Congress declared it “complete.” But others believe more memorials can be added to the existing space. (Washingtonian)
Tapped out
After a year, Baltimore’s Horseshoe Casino is bringing in less money than anticipated. Lots of other casino options in the region, along with unrest in the city, have contributed to the shortfall. (Post)
Singing for statehood
A group of kids (with their parents permission) gathered to sing the song from John Oliver’s DC Statehood segment at the Capitol. (City Paper)
In LA the car is out
Los Angeles is embarking on an ambitious new transportation strategy to convince Angelenos to trade their cars for buses, bikes, and their two feet. Future plans include dedicated bus and bike lanes and road diets. (LA Times)
Hello old friend
Meet WABA’s new executive director. You probably already know him. Greg Billing was WABA’s advocacy coordinator before this new role. (WABA)