Under the leadership of former WMATA Chief Richard White, the transit agency wasn’t known for being particularly user-friendly. And while steps were taken to open the agency to commuter advice and scrutiny in White’s latter years — townhall meetings were hosted, online chats occurred and the Riders Advisory Council was created — Metro seemed somewhat insulated from the day-to-day troubles that its many riders experienced. That’s changing. WMATA’s Interim General Dan Tangherlini, former head of…
Back in November when we first reported on the idea of extending the Yellow Line beyond its terminus at the Mt. Vernon Square/Convention Center stop, we thought it a bit of a shot in the dark. After all, then WMATA Chief Richard White didn’t seem to keen on the idea, stating, “Such an extension of service would be exceedingly expensive, both from an operating cost perspective, as well as from a capital cost perspective.” But…
Severance for Metro Chief Higher Than Average: When WMATA Chief Richard White stepped down/was fired last week, few seemed surprised at the news. Most were, though, surprised at the size of his severance package — a one-time payment of $238,000, an annual pension payment of $116,000, free Metro travel and health care for life, and a $58,000 annual salary for his wife. Yesterday the Post reported that White’s severance exceeds that of comparable transit…
Yes, it is about that time of year again. That time when DCist comes out from behind our computer screens to prove that we do, in fact, have lives and personalities. And we’d love for you to join us. Since we imagine we’re not incentive enough, we’ll have drink specials, giveaways, and DJs. And if you were under a rock this week, this is what you may have missed: — Marion Barry reacquainted himself…
In response to allegations that existing state law banning gay marriage hasn’t gone far enough in protecting traditional marriages from corrosive homosexual influences, Virginia is now considering further defining marriage as only being between a man and a woman, reports WJLA. We thought that Virginia had made their opposition to gay marriage clear enough last year with their endorsement of “Traditional Marriage” license plates, but it’s always good to err on the side of excess….
It’s been rumored for the better part of the last month, and today it has finally come true — WMATA Chief Richard White is being replaced. According to a reliable DCist source, White will be replaced by District Department of Transportation head Dan Tangherlini. White was chosen to head the region’s transit agency in 1996, and has since steered the agency through a variety of scandals and mishaps that angered commuters and frustrated members of…
Good morning, Washington. Today it will be partly cloudy with a 30 percent chance of rain, so be prepared. Flickr user birdcage from Missives from the Birdcage posted this photo of the Prince George’s County Fair to DCist photos. We are getting excited for our first birthday party tomorrow at Stetson’s – will we see you there? Cost of Living Rises in Area: Yesterday we reported and analyzed the news that affordable housing in the…
Moving into the weekend — which is set to be beautiful, according to Capital Weather — today’s news is particularly heavy on the transportation front. (This photo is from Melissa, who posted this photo on DCist’s Flickr page of a sunrise over the campus of the Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Northeast.) First, DCist anxiously awaits the results of a meeting held late last night concerning whether Georgetown’s Whitehurst Freeway will be torn down…
