Breakfast links: Openings and closings

WMATA opens bus data

Yesterday, WMATA released several bus data APIs, allowing developers to access real time bus locations and other data. WMATA is holding a developer contest to develop apps that improves navigation for people with disabilities or facilitates multimodal travel. (Dr. Gridlock)

DCPS closures and an opening in the works

According to a new DCPS proposal, two Ward 7 elementary schools will merge next year, while two campuses in Ward 5 will merge and move to the currently unoccupied Langley School in Eckington. Meanwhile, a Ward 6 Montessori school will expand into its own building near Union Station. (Post)

CaBi won’t close for winter

Many bikeshare programs around the world will shut down for the winter, but Capital Bikeshare is planning to stay on the street. They are developing a “snow day” policy, though. (TheCityFix)

Discovery to alter site plan

After this summer’s hostage situation, Discovery Communications closed the public garden at its Silver Spring headquarters, in violation of its agreement with Montgomery County. Now the company has asked for a change to the agreement, citing the desire for some reactive security measures. (TBD)

Pepco to cut your trees

Pepco will start trimming trees on private property, unless the property owner specifically requests against the work. Pepco said it “plans to spend an extra $200 million over five years,” on improvements in response to Sunday’s Post report, but later reveals that it actually plans to make customers spend that extra dough. (WTOP)

Fairfax creating bike plans for Tysons, county

Fairfax County’s Bicycle Master Plan is being developed, with the first portion covering Tysons Corner expected to completed by February. Fairfax will then expand the master plan to cover the entire county. (Vienna Patch)

NOVa police to learn defensive driving

A Northern Virginia police training center has new driving simulators that will allow police to train for real life, urban and suburban situations, instead of driving courses on the Old Dominion Speedway. (WUSA)

USDOT shuffles HSR money

Ray LaHood has taken back high-speed rail money from the states whose incoming Republican governors have said they don’t want it, and redistributed it to other states. DC, Maryland and Virginia will not get any of the reshuffled money. (Dr. Gridlock)

And…

Toll rates at the main plaza on the Dulles Toll Road will jump a quarter on Jan. 1. The monies will go towards constructing the Silver Line. (Post, Cavan) … A new charter school will open next fall at Andrews AFB, with 35% of slots reserved for non-military families in Prince George’s County. (Gazette) … Turns out, last year’s homebuyer tax credits may have done more harm than good to the housing market. (Examiner)