Breakfast links: What do you think?
Is the fare fair? Post version
Some of WMATA’s budget proposals may weigh more heavily on the poor. WMATA is using Census data to analyze the impacts of proposals. (Post, Erik W) … Streetsblog DC discusses the issue further, prompting a comment by Michael Perkins. Craig Simpson looked at the question here a few weeks ago. (Tip: Erik W)
Big races coming to DC?
DC Council Chairman Vincent Gray is expected to announce a run for Mayor, and developer Don Peebles may run as well. Who would you pick? And if Gray runs, the Council chairmanship will be open; who will run and whom should we support? (City Paper)
Does six suffice?
Froggie isn’t the only one disappointed WMATA didn’t have any hearings in Alexandria or southern Fairfax. Others have lamented the lack of a hearing at WMATA HQ. Should there have been more or is six enough? (Tip: Froggie)
Are police bad drivers?
MPD’s 1,500 vehicles were involved in 237 “preventable crashes” last year, and hundreds of “non-preventable crashes.” Is that a lot or just a consequence of driving a lot? Not sure if this is a serious issue or just the police analogue of WTOP’s “look at all the bus incidents” story series last year. (Examiner)
“Go forth and inflate”
The Commission on Fine Arts has approved the Hirshhorn bubble temporary addition. That’s ok but a painted lane for bikes isn’t? (WJZ)
It’s working
The bag fee has raised $150,000 for river cleanup, but more importantly, people are using far fewer bags, which really was the point of the law. (Post)
Plugging leaks and more
The Park Service will spend $30 million to fix the western part of the Mall between the Lincoln and WWII memorials, fixing leaks in the Reflecting Pool, improving lighting and more. (WTOP)
Driving too safe
Egypt’s analogue of The Onion has a hilarious article: “Microbus driver sent to rehab for not causing an accident in over a year.” (El Koshary Today)