Morning links: The axe starts to fall
MWAA, the Fairfax disconnector
Dulles Toll Road tolls once partly paid for bus service; then MWAA took over the road, and is pulling the money away (perhaps partly to widen roads instead). That’ll force eliminating 7 routes and Sunday service in the Dulles corridor, among other cuts and fare increases (Wesley M.) (Tip: Wesley M.)
Transit cuts will mean gridlock every day
John Kelly had a very frustrating commute after the snowstorm. That kind of traffic is what we can expect all the time if transit is substantially cut. (Post)
Arlingtonians will have to shovel too
Did you know Arlington property owners aren’t required to shovel their sidewalks? After over a decade of trying, transit hero Chris Zimmerman finally won an Arlington County Board vote to institute a snow ordinance. There will be a hearing in March. (Sun Gazette via The Green Miles, Steve Offutt)
Klein not in sync with Rein’s sprawl dreams
Froggie sent in a tip about Post profile of DDOT head Gabe Klein that, he said, “starts off accusing Klein of being anti-car.” Who would have written that? I wondered; the Post transportation reporters are pretty good. All was revealed when I saw the byline: Lisa Rein. (Tip: Froggie)
OP vs. neighbors, reversed
The stereotypical zoning debate has an ANC vociferously “protecting” against development while the Office of Planning pushes for more. But sometimes it’s reversed; OP says it can’t support converting an alley building on Capitol Hill to two apartments, even though the ANC, neighbors, and CHRS support the idea because the zoning regulations don’t.
A bicycle IS a transportation device
At least three people sent in this tip even though we’ve already posted it: Fairfax Supervisor John Cook (R) claimed “a bicycle is not a transportation device” during a recent debate over bike funding. FABB is pushing back. (Tip: Joshua D.)
In other news
Maryland will recognize same-sex marriages performed elsewhere, including DC; will that bring in even more hotel and event revenue to the District? (Post) … They might need it, because total revenue may continue to drop from the economy (WBJ) … Also, a recent cigarette tax hike backfired, reducing total revenue rather than increasing it. (City Paper)