Breakfast links: Metro wants to cut costs by privatizing buses, and unions say that’s a bad idea
Metro looks to cut costs by outsourcing bus operations
Metro may outsource services at its new bus garage — a change that may be a harbinger of more privatization to come. Union leaders say outsourcing doesn't work, pointing to the Circulator and MetroAccess as examples. (Martine Powers / Post)
A judge upholds Metro’s rule against religious advertising
A federal judge sided with Metro's decision to not place Christmas-specific advertising from the Catholic Archdiocese of Washington, on the basis that it violates a ban against policies that support or oppose a specific religion. (Max Smith / WTOP)
Cities try to make room for older Millennials with kids
Many older Milliennials with children are having a hard time staying in cities because the kind of housing they need (like townhouses) is unaffordable. Some hope this generation's sheer size will force cities and developers to adapt. (Katherine Shaver / Post)
Successful suburbs of the future will look more like downtowns
As Millennials grow and are increasingly priced out of downtown, suburbs will have to diversify their housing stock as the number of households with children declines and the number of one-person households increases. (Alan Greenblatt / Governing)
Higher tolls on I-66 might be worth the pain
Despite the sticker shock of new toll prices on I-66, congestion pricing is likely to pay off in the long run as drivers adjust their habits. It also provides a new funding source for governments that struggle to pay for infrastructure. (Aarain Marshall / Wired)
Construction hampers pedestrian access to Fenton Village
Businesses in downtown Silver Spring's Fenton Village say projects like utility work to make way for the Purple Line and construction of a mixed-use site make it difficult to walk to shops, and are hurting revenue. (Mike Diegel / Source of the Spring)
Some Bethesda residents want proposed a high-rise to occupy the entire block
A proposed 314-foot residential high-rise slated for downtown Bethesda will only occupy a portion of a block. Some residents wish the building could cover the entire block, as current plans make street frontage appear inconsistent. (Bethany Rodgers / Bethesda Beat)
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