Image via BoingBoing.

Seat hogs rejoice

Why use your bag when you can use a faux spilled drink or melted ice cream to save the seat next to you on the bus or train? (BoingBoing, Steve B.)  (Tip: Steve B.)  

Murder is sooo 1991

Despite the summer heat, despite the unemployment rate, and despite the Supreme Court gun ruling, DC is on its way to its lowest murder count since 1966. (Washington Post, Eric Fidler)  (Tip: Eric Fidler)  

As the crow flew

Walk Score is working on their algorithm to move beyond crow-flies distances to a Street Smart score that takes into account “Pedestrian Friendliness Metrics” like intersection density, link/node ratio, and average block length.  (Tip: Jaime Fearer)  

Stay right for cars

Maryland National Capital Park Police are (driving!) on the Capital Crescent Trail, reminding bicyclists and pedestrians of safety tips. (TheWashCycle, Fox5)  

Cities of God and man

RPUS tips us to The World, a conservative Christian magazine whose latest issue is dedicated to cities. Savannah, New Orleans, Detroit, Brooklyn, and Port-au-Prince are featured. (Rebuilding Place in the Urban Space, Stephen Miller)  (Tip: Stephen Miller)  

Atlanta express buses face shutdown

Months after the Atlanta area lost local Clayton County bus operator C-Tran to budget cuts, the regional express commuter bus system, GRTA (pronounced Greta), is facing a severe budget shortfall, and might be forced to end all service. (Saporta Report, Matt’)  (Tip: Matt')  

Fare hikes and the federal benefit

As we knew when the fare hikes were being debated, it’s not affecting many federal workers, who can just increase their transit benefit, but workers whose employers don’t pay for transit are feeling the pinch. But if Congress doesn’t act, the maximum federal transit benefit will decline, forcing many to pay out of pocket for some of their commute cost. (Post)  

Third time’s the charm

After being twice accosted for taking pictures on Miami’s Metro, a photography rights blogger organized a photo protest. Photography is legal on the Miami Metro, and this time, security guards behaved themselves. (Photography is not a Crime, Matt’)  (Tip: Matt')