Breakfast links: Tough talk
Privatize the ICC? Huh?
One Maryland delegate wants to study “privatizing” the ICC. It’s not clear what that means, since the tolls are already supposed to be market rate. Maybe he just thinks “privatize” is a magic word that creates more money? (Gazette)
New rules for big buses
DDOT is proposing new rules regulating intercity curbside bus services as well as chartered tour buses, that will require companies to register pick-up and drop-off points. The proposal is open for public comment. (Post)
Parking priorities
John Kelly spends a day in parking ticket court. Some people got some unfair tickets, while others feel quite entitled about parking. “It’s not about the money” might as well be the new “with liberty and justice, for all.” (Post)
Education center & more for Ward 7
A new early childhood education center, DC’s equivalent of the Harlem Children’s Zone, will be part of a mixed-use complex that will include a bridge to the Minnesota Avenue Metro. (Housing Complex)
Gray pushes to keep solar promises
Mayor Gray introduced a bill to follow through on promised payments to the people who installed solar panels but then were told the might not get their rebates. (Michael Neibauer)
Transit demand will rise with gas prices
APTA estimates between 600 million and 1.5 billion new transit trips next year, depending how high gas prices rise. Of course, APTA’s not exactly an unbiased party, but we saw the same trend in 2008. (WTOP)
I’m an environmentalist but… around the nation
What do Park Slope, Cape Cod and Berkeley have in common? Some of their generally very liberal residents nonetheless oppose green policies. DC’s closest analogue is probably Klingle Valley. (NYT)
BART, a derailment and transparency
A BART train suffered a minor derailment yesterday, but rather than downplay the incident, the agency posted continuous updates, thoroughly explained and filmed the re-railing process. (BART, Matt’) (Tip: Matt')
And…
MARC’s Penn Line starts a new schedule today with more, slightly shorter trains. (Post) … Dull though it may seem, more open government data begets useful tools for public. (NYT via Transit Wire) … Washingtonians celebrated St. Patrick’s Day on the Mall this weekend. (City Paper)