Breakfast links: Ride the rails

Dupont south reopens

The south entrance to the Dupont Circle Metro reopened this weekend after a closure of more than 8 months to replace aging and unreliable elevators.  (Washington Times)

More people take Amtrak

Amtrak continues to set ridership records and shows no signs of slowing down. The Northeast Corridor was particularly successful, making up about 75% of ridership.  (Atlantic Cities)

Less for VRE?

Federal funding changes could cost VRE $10 million that it pays to run trains on freight railroads’ tracks. It may have to cut service or raise fares. (Post)

Councilmembers for business

A bill by Tommy Wells would make it easier to create pop-up businesses by reducing permit requirements. Meanwhile, Kenyan McDuffie wants a task force to look at how to better use industrial land; most is in Ward 5. (DCist)

Not the way to stop U-turns

DC put up signs to warn against U-turns on Pennsylvania Avenue. Unfortunately, the placement blocked the bike lanes and the crosswalks. Oops! (BeyondDC) … After complaints, the signs were moved. (@sharrowsDC)

Grosso gains on Brown

David Grosso is only a few points behind Michael Brown for at-large DC Council, says a new poll. Grosso talked to Aaron Wiener about housing and development; he supports removing parking minimums. (City Paper)

Fix roads for bikes too

Temporary road fixes in Arlington County often don’t consider cyclists enough, leaving dangerous edges and other safety concerns.  Perhaps Arlington could implement a system where citizens could report problems? (Patch)

DC is most affordable?

Washington is actually the most affordable metro area, counting housing plus transportation costs, if you control for income. Though, does it make sense to control for income? (Streetsblog, Slate)

And…

DC will start testing its streetcars as early as this winter. (Examiner) … Arlington will rescind its 1-mile rule for one elementary school. (WTOP) … The WO&D trail will get a bridge over Wiehle Ave.  (FABB) … Is DC a suburb of Tysons? (Post)