Breakfast links: Streetcars and Circulators and Metro, oh my!

Hybrid streetcar model could get DC debut

Kinkisharyo International has built a hybrid streetcar for the American market. As for the planned November unveiling, one observer says “Don’t be surprised if the nation’s capital offers the ideal debut venue.” (Railway Age, David C)  (Tip: David C)

Circulator gets more riders, cool widget

DDOT and OCTO have released a new dashboard to view Circulator data. … Circulator ridership continues to grow, though the per-passenger subsidy has also increased.  (Post)

Catoe back, as an advisor

Recently retired WMATA GM John Catoe has taken an advisory role to Metro’s executive management as a consultant for

MV Transportation, the Metro contractor that operates MetroAccess. (WTOP) Update: WMATA clarified that Catoe will not be working on Metro projects.

Another runaway escalator?

Reports of another near-runaway escalator at Chinatown on Wednesday night have trickled in. Meanwhile, initial investigations indicate Saturday’s escalator accident at L’Enfant Plaza was due to faulty brakes. (TBD, Post)

Virginia Avenue park still in danger

Despite community opposition, the Barracks Row Main Street’s (BRMS) board has endorsed an unsolicited proposal that would use part of the Virginia Ave Garden for the Marine Barracks proposed Bachelor Enlisted Quarters. (The Hill is Home, Lynda)  (Tip: Lynda)

VRE station has a Spot(sylvania)

Progress is slow, but Spotsylvania County is finally moving to open their own VRE station  with construction complete by Feb 2012 or sooner. The county has chosen a site that contains industrial land slated for a mixed-use, walkable development. (Fredricksburg.com, Scott L)  (Tip: Scott L)

Wisconsin halts HSR construction

The Wisconsin DOT has temporary halted construction on the Madison to Milwaukee high speed rail line in the wake of rail opponent Scott Walker’s victory in the gubernatorial election. (JSOnline)

What could “Chairman Mica” mean?

Yonah Freemark assesses the future of federal transportation policy under the leadership of the presumptive new Republican chair of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee. (The Transport Politic)