Breakfast links: Metro is listening

Metro seeking input

Metro wants to hear from a limited number of riders about how to improve service through its new outreach campaign, Amplify, which will send out regular surveys and publish a newsletter. (City Paper)

Fewer trains, steady ridership

After last month’s transformer fire, Metro has cut the number of trains traveling on the Orange, Blue, and Silver Lines by nearly one third but ridership has stayed fairly steady, with decreases mostly confined to Stadium-Armory. (WAMU)

Tax break incentives

Mayor Bowser offered a $60 million tax break to The Advisory Board Company to stay in DC instead of moving to Rosslyn. But does DC need to keep offering such breaks, or will its other advantages win companies over? DC’s CFO doesn’t think the deal is necessary. (WAMU)

Layoffs at LivingSocial

Meanwhile, LivingSocial announced more layoffs. It got millions in tax breaks in return for job creation, but since the company didn’t meet its goals, it won’t collect the tax break. (Washingtonian)

Falling wages

Wages for DC residents without a college degree have been falling since 1980, as the job market has shifted toward high-skilled professions. An increase in the minimum wage and stronger job-training programs could help. (Washingtonian)

Not homeless anymore

New “permanent supportive housing” for previously-homeless residents in Columbia Heights doesn’t look like a shelter, but an attractive building, even if height limits forced it to be boxy. (City Paper)

Carpooling the Uber way

Uber will launch a carpooling service in DC next week. People along the same route share a ride, similar to the startup Split and similar service from Lyft. An expert says these services also compete with transit. (WAMU)

Gallaudet redevelopment advances

More detailed plans are available for a large mixed-use redevelopment around Gallaudet. The project aims to improve pedestrian connectivity between the college campus and Union Market. (UrbanTurf, Tom)

And…

Here’s what Arlington County Board candidates think about bicycle issues. (WashCycle) … Here’s how much money you need to retire in various US cities. (Business Insider, Kayla) … Traffic on the Intercounty Connector is growing. (Post)