Breakfast links: Metro swings new gates to fight fare evasion
Metro looks to swing gate upgrades to combat fare evasion
In a bid to fight fare evasion, new magnetic locks and alarms will be added to emergency swing gates at all Metro stations over the next few years. Metro says the two pilots of the new gates at Fort Totten and Gallery Place were effective in reducing fare evasion. (Max Smith / WTOP)
Housing discrimination still haunts the Washington region
50 years after the passage of the Fair Housing Act, housing discrimination is still rampant, though it's often harder to recognize. Unequal access to conventional home loans, the use of credit history in rental applications, discrimination against housing vouchers holders, and advertising designed for only certain racial groups to see are all major problems. (Ally Schweitzer / WAMU)
Uber offers more data but is lukewarm on Metro tax
At a forum with Mayor Bowser yesterday, Uber's CEO said Uber will start sharing more data with the city on popular pick-up and drop-off destinations. He also expressed concerned that the proposed tax increase on ride-hailing, meant to help fund Metro, could disproportionately hurt underserved areas if not applied properly. (Andrew J. Hawkins / The Verge, Katie Arcieri / WBJ)
Free bus rides start as I-66 work begins
As work starts on new I-66 toll lanes, so do transit incentives. Starting on Monday, rides on Loudoun County Transit bus routes going to/from Wiehle-Reston East or West Falls Church Metro stations are free. OmniRide and Fairfax Connector bus riders will see significant discounts over the course of construction as well. (Max Smith / WTOP)
Four Mile Run and W&OD trails set to receive improvements
Starting this fall, the Four Mile Run and W&OD trails will be resurfaced and widened, along with some renovations and improvements to bring them up to ADA standards. (WashCycle)
JUMP joins the Uber app in DC
In DC, you can now rent JUMP bikes through the Uber app. In other cities, Uber is adding the ability to book train or bus tickets through the app. (Max Smith / WTOP)
With a bigger budget, Potomac Yard Metro station closer to reality
To account for the rising costs of material and labor, the Alexandria City Council unanimously approved an increase in budget for the Potomac Yard Metro station, bringing it up from $268 million to $320 million. Construction is set to start at the end of this year. (Michelle Basch / WTOP)
Ride-hailing designed with kids in mind
Kid-focused ride-hailing service HopSkipDrive recently launched in Denver. The service is designed for shuttling unaccompanied minors, and requires its drivers to have five years of child care experience and undergo extensive background checks. (James Brausuell / Planetizen)
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