Snow day links: Winter, after all
It’s modified transit service during this winter’s first real snow
Metro is operating on a Saturday schedule today, meaning 12 minute waits between trains outside of downtown. Bus service is even more limited, with some lines not running at all. Also, the DC Streetcar has indefinitely suspended service because there's ice on its wires. (Martine Powers / Post, @DCStreetcar)
Overhead wires may not be an issue when the streetcar runs to downtown DC
The streetcar may one day connect to downtown DC, and it will probably do so without using overhead power lines. Instead, power systems at each stop will charge onboard batteries. DDOT says this means streetcars will need dedicated lanes! (Martin Di Caro / WAMU)
The federal budget could gut public transit funding…
Transportation advocates are worried that the federal budget, set to come out this week, would completely cut spending on public transit. Nationwide, only about 57% of transit funding comes from local sources. (Melanie Zanona / Hill)
...and it could do a lot of harm to our region in general
If the current draft of the federal budget passes, area incomes could drop 3.5 percent and home values could fall 2 percent. This would mostly impact the region's middle class. (Benjamin Freed / Washingtonian)
Maryland isn’t doing enough for cyclist and pedestrian safety
Safety advocates are not pleased that the Maryland legislature killed a bill that would've made state roads and highways a bit safer for pedestrians and cyclists. The State Highway Administration argued that at least one bill would cause vehicles to stop too frequently. (Martin Di Caro / WAMU)
Will Alexandria better fund schools and affordable housing?
Alexandria residents and activists spoke at a budget hearing on Monday to call for fully funding schools. They also want more money for renovating recreation centers and building more affordable housing. (Patricia Sullivan / Post)
DC is still trying to figure out how to regulate Airbnb
After another rent-controlled apartment building listed units on Airbnb, the DC Council is still trying to figure out what to do about Airbnb. Critics say the service is effectively taking long-term rentals off the market and driving up housing costs, while the company says it contributes to the local economy. (Abha Bhattarai / Post)
A visual history of Washington’s wondrous protests
The DC skyline has served as a backdrop for protests for two centuries. The city itself seems designed specifically to rally participants to democracy. This photo collection documents some of the protests our fair capitol has played host to over the years. (Howard Means / Washingtonian)
These maps show how big San Francisco would be with the density of other cities
If San Francisco had the population density of Mumbai, it would be only be 15 square miles. If it had the density of Jacksonville, FL, it would be 744 square miles. Take a look at how San Fran's population would spread out if it were as dense as Houston, Jacksonville, or Anchorage. (Caleb Pershan / SFist)