Breakfast links: Problems addressed

Ride On pulls buses

Ride On will run a modified holiday schedule today and tomorrow because all of its 26 Champion buses were permanently removed from service over safety concerns after six of the buses caught fire over the past two years. (Examiner)

Better service for some

In an attempt to avoid customer service problems, some high profile MetroAccess customers get special treatment including direct rides, which is above federal requirements.  (Examiner)

Finish the trail

A completed Washington Boulevard Trail would help with the relative lack of north south bike trails in Arlington, but some neighbors object that they didn’t know about the project and that trees would have to be removed.  (Patch)

Music for Metro

WMATA is looking for artists to perform at Metro stations, but some artists object to not being able to collect tips and to the late notice of auditions. (Post, DCist)

One large car sharing fleet

GM vehicles with OnStar can now be rented out thus creating a car sharing service. Car owners set the rates and renters use their cell phones to unlock the car. (Edmunds, Circle Thomas)  (Tip: Circle Thomas)

Viva la streetcar

US systems can learn from France’s experiences on how to build streetcar service including giving them their own right of way, using larger vehicles, and standardizing construction and rolling stock.  (City Block, Andrew Schmadel)  (Tip: Andrew Schmadel)

And…

WMATA identified the likely culprit of last weekend’s shutdowns. (DCist) … The Clif Bar company celebrated its 20th anniversary by giving each of its more than 300 employees a bicycle. (Public Bikes) … Construction for the BRT route on Route 1 is set to start soon. (Patch)