Breakfast links: Fare evasion is now a civil offense instead of a crime
Metro escaltor by Jordan Barab used with permission.
Now Metro riders can no longer be jailed for fare evasion
The DC Council voted to decriminalize fare evasion on Metrorail and bus while also decreasing the fine to $50. Before, those who failed to pay the fare faced arrest, jail time, and up to a $300 fine. (Jennifer Ortiz / WTOP)
A young commuter keeps Metro accountable
You may already follow him on Twitter: Sam Mencimer, a 14-year old commuter and train nerd, holds Metro accountable for issues he finds on his daily commutes. (Kery Murakami / Post)
A proposed eviction bill for Montgomery County faces opposition
Del. Jheanelle Wilkins plans to introduce a bill that would limit the types of violations tenants can be evicted for and raise the minimum notice for eviction to 60 days. Opponents say the proposed legislation may prolong the eviction process and make it difficult to evict problem tenants. (Dan Schere / Bethesda Beat)
Uber is in talks with Bird and Lime
Uber could be getting into the scooter business. The ride-hailing company has discussed a multibillion-dollar deal with dockless scooter companies Bird and Lime, though talks are still in the early stages. (WBJ)
Architects, engineers, and designers build a gingerbread village
Teams of architects, engineers, and designers put their skills to the test to design a village made of gingerbread. The winning team's village will be displayed at The Foundry Building and then divided between six DC charities. (Lauren Landau / DCist)
Ikea considering a downtown DC mini-store
Ikea is the latest big box retailer to begin exploring smaller format stores in urban centers. They plan to open a small store in central Paris this spring, followed by New York. If the New York store performs well, downtown DC is next on their US list. (Bill Murphy Jr. / Inc.)
DDOT is finalizing the terms of its move to Navy Yard
DC is proposing leasing the new Department of Transportation headquarters for almost $9.5 million a year. DDOT is expected to move in March 2021, and the lease would be for 15 years, with an option for a five-year expansion. (Daniel J. Sernovitz / WBJ)
The Initiative 77 saga isn’t over
Supporters of Initiative 77 must collect 24,993 signatures by next Wednesday in order to put a referendum on the ballot in 2019 that would overturn the DC Council’s repeal of Initiative 77. (Martin Austermuhle / WAMU)
Luxembourg is making all public transit free to combat congestion
Luxembourg will make all of its transit free of charge to combat congestion. Luxembourgh is like DC in two aspects: its population (around 600k) and its immigrant population (400k a day). Geographically, it's more like a steep West Virginia, so it's easy to imagine a lot of congestion. (Daniel Boffey / The Guardian)
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