Breakfast links: Slow ride, take it easy
Fire culprit
Last Friday’s rush hour fire at Metro Center was caused by debris catching fire and causing electrical arcing. The Federal Transit Administration will review the incident as part of their Metro oversight. (WAMU)
A safe trip
While Metro tries to expand transit services for people with disabilities by using ride hailing services, DDOT questions whether safety and background checks are stringent enough to protect riders. (WAMU)
Split rides off
One of the area’s many ride-hailing options, the home-grown, low-cost Split, announced it will discontinue service October 3rd. The company will not shut down, but plans to pursue other business ventures. (WBJ)
Homers, not rides home
DC Mayor Bowser, and Councilmember Jack Evans want Metro to offer late night service to get Nationals fans home from playoff games. Metro has previously refused to make exceptions for games or events. (NBC4)
Free ridesharing
There’s a new ridesharing service called CarpoolNow. The app matches riders and drivers to form carpools for free. It’s primarily for commuting but could also help after the Nationals playoff games. (TPB)
Sick leave in MoCo
Montgomery County’s paid sick leave law goes into effect this Saturday. The new rules require an hour of leave for every 30 hours worked and apply to all non-seasonal, non-commission based employees in the county. (Bethesda Beat)
Statehood push continues
The DC Council is holding public hearings on the proposed constitution for the 51st state. Voters will get to weigh in on the November ballot, before it heads to Congress in January. (Post)
Virginia’s budget
Virginia’s projected $1.5 billion budget shortfall will likely hit transportation and infrastructure projects. Governor McAuliffe has already vowed that cuts will not affect any works that have already been announced. (WTOP)
Washington Gas avoidance
Washington Gas didn’t attend a meeting with Montgomery County officials and the National Transportation Safety Bureau to review August’s deadly gas explosion in Silver Spring. The NTSB plans to release its findings on the blast within two weeks. (WJLA, WTOP)
And…
DC’s mayor wants the community to track broken streetlights. (WTOP) … The London Tube is piloting a program for riders to request priority seating. (TfL) … An ANC commissioner in Ward 8 was arrested for throwing a brick at a political rival. (WCP) … The smallest home on the market in DC is 209 square feet. (UrbanTurf)