Breakfast links: How transit in the region will survive in the wake of the coronavirus

By Matt Gontarchick (Contributor) • March 23, 2020

The landscape for transit has totally changed

Transit systems nationwide have witnessed ridership plummet due to the COVID-19 outbreak, and some worry that it could take months or years for the transit sector to recover.  (Luz Lazo, Justin George / Post)

What “Shelter-in-Place” would look like in DC

If the District declares a shelter-in-place, non-essentially businesses like retail stores and hair salons would close while essential businesses like grocery stores, banks, and pharmacies would remain open.  (Jordan Pascale / WAMU)

How coronavirus closures will affect the region’s economy

While the DC area tends to weather economic downturns better than most metropolitan areas, a report warns that the region won’t be spared this time due to a massive drop in consumer spending.  (Nena Perry-Brown / UrbanTurf)

Metrobus says riders can only board from rear doors

Starting Tuesday, Metrobus riders will have to enter buses using the rear doors and will not be required to tap their fare cards, essentially making rides free.  (Justin George / Post)

Roads closed to discourages crowds at Tidal Basin

Effective today, certain streets around the National Mall are closed. DC Mayor Muriel Bowser announced the closure on Sunday night to prevent people from congregating around the Tidal Basin, which attracted large crowds over the weekend.  (Mikaela Lefrak / DCist)

Landlords differ on help for tenants during COVID-19

As the coronavirus outbreak has all but forced the District’s restaurants and bars to shut their doors, some tenants are reaching agreements with their landlords on rent relief during the crisis, while other landlords aren’t so forgiving.  (Laura Hayes / City Paper)

School closures, ban on mass gatherings extended to April 27

On Friday, DC Mayor Muriel Bowser announced that schools will remain closed and bans on large gatherings will remain in effect until April 27 to address the spread of COVID-19.  (Rachel Sadon / DCist)

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Hampton Roads gets its first taste of transit funding

By Wyatt Gordon (Virginia Correspondent) • March 20, 2020

For the first time ever Virginia’s General Assembly has granted Tidewater’s transit system its own dedicated funding.

National links: How bike lanes in Bogotá are helping to slow the spread of the coronavirus

By Jeff Wood (Contributor) • March 20, 2020

Bogotá adds more bike lanes to fight against the coronavirus. The mystery of the missing bus rider. What could a COVID-19 related recession look like, and more in this week’s National links.

DC has until 2050 to reach carbon neutrality. GGWash will cover how we get there.

By Will Schick (Fellow) • March 20, 2020

DC created a plan with an aggressive timeclock to deal with climate change. The District plans to use 100% renewable energy sources and cut 50% of its greenhouse gas emissions by 2032. It also plans to reach carbon neutrality by 2050.

I visited DC’s only public hospital during the coronavirus pandemic.

By Ron Thompson (Transportation Equity Organizer) • March 20, 2020

On March 9, I learned that my grandmother had been rushed to the emergency room at DC’s last remaining public hospital, United Medical Center. After ensuring that she was in stable condition, the instinct of my family and I—against the backdrop of a fast-spreading pandemic—was to get her to one of the city’s private hospitals several miles away from her home.