In an effort to speed up bus trips, WMATA has proposed a $0.25 fee for actions which slow down boarding, including paying with cash and reloading SmarTrip cards onboard. While speeding up bus service would be a boon for all riders, this proposal shifts the responsibility for dealing with a systemic issue onto individual clients—the poorest ones.
In the six months since the District decriminalized fare evasion, Metro is blaming DC for a spike in infractions. The District is disputing Metro numbers and points out that the biggest jump in fare evasions comes from Maryland, where the practice is still a criminal offense. (Natalie Delgadillo / DCist)
An eight-mile stretch of high occupancy toll lanes on I-395 in Northern Virginia went into effect yesterday after two years of construction, and solo commuters on the route could face tolls as high as $30 during peak morning rush. (Luz Lazo / Post)
An American University student was fined $1,240, fired from her campus job, and placed on a year-long probation after AU found she had violated the student conduct code for her involvement in a protest against the university’s relationship with fossil fuel companies. She had only chalked messages on campus buildings. (Braeden Waddell / AWOL)
A new agreement to rebuild and widen the American Legion Bridge could open the door for consequences like more greenhouse gas emissions in an era where climate change is a top concern. Others aren’t happy about the potential for high tolls. (Robert McCartney / Post)
Last week, the Philadelphia City Council approved a bill that would provide free legal services to low-income tenants who face eviction. There are about 20,000 eviction cases filed each year in the city, and only 11% of tenants have attorneys in subsequent court proceedings. (Caitlin McCabe / Philadelphia Inquirer)
While housing prices in zip codes near the future Amazon HQ2 have certainly spiked, a new report has found that the tech giant’s new headquarters’s has overall had a minimal effect on housing prices in the region. (Nena Perry-Brown / UrbanTurf)
While parks in the West are generally built with younger people in mind, parks in China are constructed to address the needs of the elderly and typically include walking trails and exercise equipment. This helps keep seniors’ health and provides opportunities for social connection. (Vittoria Traverso / BBC)
