Breakfast links: Hijackings and low points
Metrobus hijacking
A man hijacked a Metrobus near Minnesota Avenue NE and proceeded to jump the curb at a gas station, ultimately striking and killing a pedestrian. Neither the suspect or the victim have been identified. (Post)
Metro’s bad report
The NTSB released its report on Metro, pointing to a “prolonged short circuit” as the cause of last year’s fatal smoke incident. It also cited the agency’s entrenched lax safety culture as major contributing factor. (DCist, Post)
Fear of trains
Sunday’s CSX derailment rekindled simmering concerns about hazardous material being transported through the city. Many residents along the rail line are expressing worry about potential future incidents. (City Paper)
Dethroning slumlords
Councilmember Anita Bonds introduced a bill making it easier to hold landlords accountable for neglecting properties. Under the new law, outside groups will be able to file an action on behalf of tenants. (City Paper)
Make way for the Purple Line
Only one in seven residents have responded to official requests to remove their fences from the county-owned land along the Purple Line. More than 70 residents received notice in January about clearing the route. (Post)
Defeating displacement
A non-profit is putting $50 million toward an effort to ensure the 11th Street Bridge Park doesn’t displace Anacostia residents. That’s more than the cost of the bridge park itself. (Post)
No urge to surge
In a move that will delight riders but possibly alienate drivers, Uber is looking to phase out the use of its controversial surge pricing model. The company reportedly sees the model as a “marketing failure.” (WAMU)
Testing, testing
The Department of General Services announced plans to retest all water sources at DC Public Schools for elevated levels of lead. Previously, 17 water sources at 12 public schools around the Distric tested positive for lead. (Post)
The new group house
A new space in Crystal City, WeLive, aims to do for living what coworking did for office space: Provide a place to live where facilities like recreation spaces and larger kitchens are shared space. Great idea or terrible? (UrbanTurf)
And…
Check out the Global Subway Spectrum, a tool that explores the colors that organize transit systems across the globe. (CityMetric)… The Chevy Chase Land Co. released renderings that would make an area once touted the “Rodeo Drive of the East Coast” less luxury-focused. (BethesdaMag)… More tourists visited DC in 2015 than ever, and they spent a lot of money here too. (DCist)