Photo by FaceMePLS on Flickr.

BRT or bust

Montgomery County councilmembers want the county’s bus rapid transit to move faster, and are worried they’re losing ground to Virginia. Meanwhile, mayors in Rockville and Gaithersburg are already looking at ways to speed up buses in their cities. (Bethesda Beat, Chester B., WTOP)  (Tip: Chester B.)  

Hit the ground running

Metro’s new head Paul Wiedefeld knows he has his work cut out for him. He has ideas for ways to better communicate with passengers about repairs and service, and he’s recruiting for a new safety chief. (City Paper, Post)  

Keep it simple

The 62-year-old Cleveland Park library will be replaced by a “bold yet restrained” new building. Its design has been controversial, Cleveland Park being home to some of DC’s fiercest neighborhood activists. (WBJ)  

DC’s dime

The District will pay to overhaul Franklin Park, even though it’s owned by the National Park Service. The National Capital Planning Commission has signed off on the new park design, and work could begin next fall. (WBJ)  

Office worker walkers

Montgomery County should make it easier for pedestrians to get around Bethesda and White Flint. That’s according to experts the county brought in to look at suburban-style office parks that are mostly empty. (Bethesda Beat)  

Feds riding Metro

Federal workers make up about a third of all Metro’s passengers, and the federal government’s office locations have a big effect on who rides. Many more non-federal workers are choosing to ride, influencing its growth. (PlanItMetro)  

Transit saves you money

Metro estimates that driving is still more expensive than taking transit, even with gas prices at historic lows. Driving includes costs besides gas, like depreciation, insurance, and maintenance. (PlanItMetro)  

Fairfax school space available

Fairfax County is pondering what to do with a soon-to-be empty school in the Mount Vernon area. An Islamic school uses the building now but is moving close to Herndon next year. (Post)  

Ditch this deal

Some DC Council members still want to nix the Pepco-Exelon merger, despite the mayor’s support for the deal. The city’s Public Service Commission won’t make a final decision until next year. (Post)  

And…

Listen to the DC streetcar song. (Post) … GGWash contributor Joe Fox took some amazing photos of the Bay Bridge. (Post) … Chevy Chase Village is one of the wealthiest communities in the US. (The Guardian)