Breakfast links: Some Metro bus engines are randomly shutting off
Random engine failure plagues Metro bus
For the second time in just over a week, a Metro bus came to a sudden stop when its engine randomly cut off. Metro has pulled 164 buses, around 10 percent of their total fleet, as they investigate the cause of the incidents. (Martine Powers / Post)
Things are looking up for the Potomac
The Potomac has earned a B, its highest grade ever, up from a D just seven years ago. Declining pollution, returning wildlife, and protected land are contributing to the river’s comeback. If progress continues, the Potomac is poised to become the country’s next swimmable urban river. (Steve Hendrix / Post)
Hogan’s Amazon incentive package squeaks forward
The massive incentive package meant to lure Amazon's second HQ to Maryland barely passed a House committee, getting the exact 12 necessary votes out of 23 in order to stay afloat. (Steve Thompson / Post)
DC lawmakers seek tax breaks for two IHOPS
Councilmember Trayon White (Ward 8) wants to extend a tax break for an IHOP on Alabama Avenue SE, while Brianne Nadeau (Ward 1) has proposed a new tax break for another IHOP, owned by the same people, in Columbia Heights. (Rebecca Cooper / WBJ)
Distracted driving ranks as the most common safety concern
An AAA survey found that distracted driving has become the most cited threat to personal safety among drivers, ranking higher even than drunk driving. Disturbingly, even with such high awareness of the problem, a staggering number admitted to reading or sending emails while driving. (Teta Alim / WTOP)
Bird brings its scooters to DC
A third scooter company has joined the growing list of DC transit options — Bird, based originally in California, is expanding to DC with a fleet of up to 400 scooters. (Luz Lazo / Post)
Lyft’s geofencing pilot begins in San Francisco
Lyft has launched a geofencing pilot program in San Francisco aimed at reducing congestion in high-traffic areas by diverting pick-ups and drop-offs away from busy sections of street to nearby side streets. (Katie Pyzyk / SmartcitiesDive)
LA’s metro seeks to expand its homeless outreach program
LA's metro tasked two teams with reaching out to homeless riders on their Red Line. After 10 months, 19 individuals have been placed in permanent housing. They hope this initial success will attract funding to expand the program to the Green and Gold Lines. (Elana Eden / Planetizen)
Urbanism job opportunities!
Are you looking for a job that combines your passion for walkable, bikeable, transit-oriented communities with a talent for communicating complicated planning concepts and getting people excited about smart, urbanist policy? Check out these three open jobs: Communications Manager with Coalition for Smarter Growth (CSG), and Advocacy Director and Membership/Development Coordinator with Washington Area Bicycle Association (WABA).
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