Breakfast links: Something old, something new

The 7k’s debut

Riders greeted the new Metro trains with excitement and delight. Commuters liked the color scheme and found the cars “sexy.” One rider worried that there aren’t enough seats and that the floor could get slippery. (Post)

Free range saga continues

The Meitiv parents plan to pursue “all legal remedies” against Montgomery County after their children were held by the County for more than five hours on Sunday. (Post)

Million dollar city

Last year, 18% of homes in DC sold for more than one million dollars, compared to 10% in 2010. The new data also shows that apartment vacancies have shot up from 4.4% in 2012 to 6.4% in 2014.  (City Paper)

Arlington declining

Vacancy rates increased and employment decreased in Arlington from 2013 to 2014, but officials remain optimistic.  They cite millions of new square footage of development in the pipeline, and cheaper office costs than DC. (ArlNow)

Foot stomping

The NIH’s director told the Montgomery County Council that NIH needs more parking because employees can’t afford housing nearby. He also complained that the NCPC’s parking ratio decision was surprising and unilateral. (BethesdaNow)

I’m a uniter

A new plan for Union Station could unify communities on either sides of the tracks. The plan would develop the area over the station’s 20 tracks and bring in mixed use development. (NYT, Randy)  (Tip: Randy)

Glow in the dark

Everyone’s been talking about Volvo’s glow in the dark spray paint for cyclists. Instead of mandatory helmet laws and paint, it might be better to make drivers stop hitting them. (Post)

Driverless trains

As the Red Line returns to automatic control, new research shows that automatic operation systems save on labor costs. Automated lines are more reliable, and headways are more regular. (CityLab)