Transition Falls Church Movement Continues to Grow

Guest Commentary: Transition Falls Church Movement Continues to Grow: "Thus far, I’ve come away from the project with these things: an appreciation for community connections, a desire to become more engaged in my civic society, and an excitement for the future.

A key message of Transition is that people can be awakened to a new power to address challenges like climate change when tapping into the unchecked potential of community, and we can do it creatively and become richer from the lessons we learn in the process. As Rob Hopkins, the pioneer of the Transition model has said, we don’t need to wait for anything to respond to these problems for us, because we’re already here."

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Anne Arundel, Howard joining forces to create regional transit system

CapitalGazette.com: "If you live in Anne Arundel County but don’t have a car, you can spend half your day on the bus getting to work in another county."

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Estonian capital the world’s first to give its residents a free ride

The Washington Post: "Deputy Mayor Taavi Aas says the experiment, which will cost the city some 12 million euros ($16 million) annually in lost ticket sales, has surpassed expectations. Passenger numbers are up 10 percent, while the number of cars on city streets has fallen by as much as 15 percent, according to Tallinn’s transport authority."

We used the Post headline, but it should really read: "One city decides to put money into public transit instead of continuing the free ride for automobiles." 

Transit, real estate mash-up helps you live near transit

Greater Greater Washington: "Say you're moving to the area, have a job, and want to find places with good transit to work. How do you figure it out? A lot of people just look at the Metro map and don't consider other modes, but a new service called AutNo is trying to help people locate near transit."

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Ocean City fare-free trolley proposed as good for business

Ocean City Maryland News | OC MD Newspapers | Maryland Coast Dispatch - West OC Area Trolley Proposed; Sponsor Commitments Needed: "“We are hoping to be able to allow them to step on for free at any point and these buses would circulate and the people could come and go,” Challenger said. “We do believe that when you have the ability to move people around from place-to-place they do spend more money.”"

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TheWashCycle: Driver in video attack pleads guilty but could have charges dismissed

TheWashCycle: Driver in video attack pleads guilty but could have charges dismissed: "John W. Diehl, the driver in a much-seen video of a driver intentionally trying to hit a cyclist, formally pleaded guilty in D.C. Superior Court to charges of leaving the scene of an accident and destruction of property. But he will perform community service and attend anger management classes in exchange for having charges in the case dismissed.

Diehl is required to complete 25 hours of community service, undergo anger management counseling, complete a driver safety course and complete drug and alcohol treatment over the next year, according to Machen's office.

If Diehl complies with those conditions, prosecutors have agreed to dismiss the case. But if he fails to live up to his end of the deal, the court will proceed with sentencing. His next hearing is set for April 2, 2014, Machen's office says.

Why drug and alcohol treatment? Was he driving under the influence at the time?

While Amtrak Subsidies Draw Fire From Congress, Aviation Gets a Free Pass | Streetsblog Capitol Hill

While Amtrak Subsidies Draw Fire From Congress, Aviation Gets a Free Pass | Streetsblog Capitol Hill: "subsidies for air travel and roads are funding Amtrak’s competitors. (As Streetsblog has reported, just 51 percent of road funding come from gas taxes, tolls, and other fees on driving.) Cutting subsidies to rail while maintaining the others would hardly create a level playing field."

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