By Libby Solomon (Writer and Editor) • August 13, 2021
In late 2017, DC launched a pilot program, DC Flex, to try giving families a smaller, more flexible rent subsidy than a standard voucher. Now a newly released report evaluating the program’s first year has found that the program shows promise.
Growth in metropolitan areas around the US is looking a whole lot like sprawl. See what’s included in the new Senate infrastructure bill. Is there a better way to think about economic growth in cities?
Amid uncertainty over what commuting and teleworking patterns might look like post-pandemic, transit agencies are making investments in electric buses and other new projects thanks to a $107 billion federal investment in transit. (Justin George / Post)
Thanks to a $1.5 million subsidy increase from the Alexandria City Council, Alexandria’s DASH transit agency will nix its $2 fare beginning on September 5. DASH said the free fares will help recoup or potentially grow ridership compared to pre-pandemic levels. At the same time, the transit agency is also revamping its bus route network. (Jordan Pascale / DCist)
Montgomery County Public Schools will proceed with in-person classes unless the state orders that school buildings be closed, according to documents released on Friday. While MCPS is leaving the door open for a hybrid option, details are scarce. (Caitlynn Peetz / Bethesda Beat)
On Friday night, a motorist struck and killed a 61-year-old woman in a crosswalk near the West Hyattsville Metro station. Early Saturday morning, another pedestrian died after being hit by a driver on Route 29 near Columbia, and a cyclist was seriously injured after being struck by a driver near Ashburn. (Matthew Delaney / WTOP)
Brenda Donald will serve as director of the DC Housing Authority for the next two years. She inherits an agency that’s made little progress in its longe range goal to renovate nearly 3,000 public housing units that have been deemed uninhabitable due to mold, structural issues, and other problems. (Morgan Baskin / DCist)
Washington Metrorail Safety Commission says the absence of a “safety certification” means employees don’t have a way to identify and fix problems before they get worse, contributing to at least two incidents last fall where railcars detached while passengers were on board. (Justin George / Post)
Due to a glitch, some Metro riders are finding more money than they expected on their SmarTrip cards. Metro says its aware of the issue and is working to resolve the problem but has yet to provide a timeline. (Jordan Pascale / DCist. Tip: Chester B.)
