Breakfast links: Your iPhone can now be used to board Metrorail and Metrobuses
Metro station by Mr. Nixter licensed under Creative Commons.
You can now access Metro using your iPhone
Metro announced that existing and new SmarTrip cards can be used via Apple Wallet. WMATA also released an app that will allow users to add value to their SmarTrip card as well. The digital card will be available for use on all Metrorail and Metrobuses as well as regional bus providers that also use SmarTrip. WMATA is working to make these digital choices available for Android users as well. (Margaret Barthel / DCist. Tip: Chester B.)
Downtown DC has been hit hard by the pandemic
A new report from the Downtown DC Business Improvement District revealed that only 5% of employees physically worked within the BID’s boundaries in July. Daytime population in the area also sank by 90%. And economic activity was just 12% of what it was a year ago, according to the report. (Ally Schweitzer / DCist)
Maryland approves MoCo’s voting centers
Maryland’s state board recently approved Montgomery County to have 39 voting centers instead of its usual 240 polling places. This move is an attempt to offer fewer, but larger, spaces for voters in the upcoming elecitons. Of the 39 centers, 25 will be public high schools, and 11 will be early voting sites. (Briana Adhikusuma / Bethesda Beat)
DC will pursue federal funds for unemployment claims
DC will join other US jurisdictions in pursuing federal funding for people who are unemployed in the District due to the pandemic. Seeking federal coronavirus aid would provide unemployed workers with an additional $300 per week. States have until September 10 to apply for the aid. (Post)
How the pandemic is affecting car sales
According to an August cars.com survey about 21% of participants say they bought cars within the last six months, and 57% say they made the purchase because of the pandemic. This may be a cause of concern for people fearful that less people will use public transit. (Adam Tuss / NBC Washington)
Montgomery County public schools returned to school Monday
About 166,000 students in Montgomery County Public Schools returned to class on Monday, though it was certainly different from last year. This year school is virtual. Here’s a look at what happened for students, teachers, and administrators. (Caitlynn Peetz / Bethesda Beat)
Have a tip for the links? Submit it here.