Breakfast links: Spacing stops farther apart could boost bus ridership

LinksBy Linnea Champ October 31, 2017

Image by S. Davis licensed under Creative Commons.

Spacing out bus stops may increase ridership

Bus balancing, or creating the optimal space between bus stops, may help increase efficiency, service, and ridership on bus lines. When distance between stops is too short, buses spend excessive time stopping and waiting for red lights.  (Angie Schmitt / Streetsblog USA)

Black households face higher eviction risk

A recent report by Apartment List begins to assess the scale of the eviction problem in the US. Even after controlling for education, black households face the highest eviction rates, and people also fare worse in the South and Midwest.  (Sarah Holder / Citylab)

Metro officials disable emergency alarm used for train operators

Metro officials disabled an emergency alarm last month intended for use by law enforcement. Operators say they used the alarm to get in contact with the control center when their calls were ignored, which is not what it was designed for.    (Martine Powers / Post)

But really, who can fund WMATA’s budget?

Concern over how local government in DC, Virginia, and Maryland can fund WMATA's budget proposal ensues. The budget seeks a $136 million increase in capital investment, but it remains unclear if and who will make this contribution.  (Martine Powers / Post)

Plans underway for bike trail from Baltimore to Drum Point

Calvert county thinks it may be possible to connect Baltimore to Drum Point, the southernmost tip of Calvert county, on an uncompleted railway. Trail planners anticipate using land under power lines running north to connect parts of the trail.  (TheWashCycle)

“Tuesday blitzes” help get rid of DC rats

In an effort to combat DC's growing rat population, the mayor instituted weekly outings where agencies go door to door applying pesticides and educating residents on proper trash removal.   (Yuliya Panfil / Petworth News)

Maryland students will face tougher testing standards

By 2024, Maryland will require higher test scores in order for students to graduate. Educators say there could be a possible 40 percent decrease in graduation rate with the proposed new standards.   (Liz Bowie / Post)

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