Lunch links: Affordable and accessible

We’re really affordable!

The latest fantastic Ashley Halsey story looks at the relative costs of living around the country when factoring in transportation costs. Thanks to our transit, the Washington region is actually more affordable than most across the country. The average area household spends $12,000 a year on transportation. (Post, Cavan, Eric F.)  (Tip: Cavan)

Every bus stop is political

Consolidating too-close bus stops is the quickest way to improve bus service, but is also politically very difficult. San Francisco has been trying to consolidate stops since 1990. (Human Transit, Michael P)

PG snow debate neglects pedestrians?

Prince George’s held a hearing on the snow, but either they didn’t talk at all about the failure to clear sidewalks which led to someone being killed, or the Gazette didn’t mention it. (Gazette)

Bloggers for WMATA Board?

The new mayor of Houston, Annise Parker, nominated a blogger and activist as one of several to serve on the city’s transit board. (Houston Chronicle, Michael P)

GPS making us dumb?

Does using GPS navigation instead of paper maps reduce people’s geographical literacy? (Miller-McCune via @IMGoph)

Congress to dig holes, point transit systems into it?

Congress is considering letting transit agencies use more of their capital for operating expenses to close budget gaps, but APTA thinks this is a bad idea. WMATA already can do this under current law since they haven’t already maxed out as other agencies have, but as we’ve discussed, they probably shouldn’t. (Streetsblog Capitol Hill)

Development dispatches

Swedish development firm Skanska is set to build a new, entirely speculative mixed-use office building with a church in it at 10th and G (Post, Cavan) … Arts District at Hyattsvile will break ground on its second phase, including a Busboys and Poets and Yes! Organic Market (DCmud) … Fairfax and Loudoun are quibbling over the location of the future Route 28 station entrance on the Silver Line. (Fairfax Times)  (Tip: Cavan)