Unapproved process change grounds Metro’s 7000-series railcars (again)

By Stephen Repetski (Editorial Board Alum) • January 4, 2022

Metro’s 7000-series railcar fleet has been grounded, again, after problems with wheelset inspections caused the agency’s safety oversight body to reverse a plan to return them to service.

The region’s first major snow of 2022 paves the way for “sneckdown” season

By George Kevin Jordan (Managing Editor) • January 4, 2022

It’s #sneckdown season as the region’s first major snow this winter reveals possible places for traffic calming measures to be implemented.

Breakfast links: Metrobus to cut service due to COVID-19

By Libby Solomon (Writer and Editor) • January 5, 2022

Metro scales back bus service due to COVID-19 disruptions

Due to COVID-19 spreading in its workforce, Metrobus will run on a Saturday schedule on weekdays starting January 10 and crack down on vaccination and testing requirements for bus drivers. The service cut comes at an inopportune time; Metro is encouraging riders to take rail, but rail frequency is also still impacted by the removal of Metro’s 7000-series railcar fleet.  (Paige Hopkins / Axios, Amanda Michelle Gomez / DCist)

24 hours on I-95

I-95 in Virginia is finally clear of stranded drivers after some spent a full 24 hours stuck on the road after Monday’s snowstorm. Officials say the rain that preceded the storm plus heavier than expected snow hindered preparation efforts.  (DCist, Michael Laris / Post)

DC seeks zoning amendment to allow by-right office-to-residential conversions

DC’s Office of Planning has applied for a zoning amendment that would allow owners of some office buildings to convert them to residential use by-right, without applying for approval.  (Nena Perry-Brown / UrbanTurf)

Pandemic state of emergency reinstated in Maryland

Maryland has reinstated a 30-day state of emergency in response to record-high COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations in the state. The measure will allow for state regulation of hospital resources as well as National Guard assistance.  (Héctor Alejandro Arzate / DCist)

Advocates urge Baltimore to pause evictions

A renter advocacy group is calling on Baltimore City to pause the hundreds of evictions set to move forward in the coming weeks as Omicron surges. Baltimore’s mayor says the city needs the state of Maryland to delegate that authority.  (Sarah Y. Kim / WYPR)

DC’s snowplow map can be deceiving

DC has a new live map of snow plows — but many say side streets that showed up as having been plowed were icy and snowy as ever.  (Cuneyt Dil / Axios)

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