What is Metro Lift and why is no one using it
Plus, what's happening with the D.C. Council this week, the story behind U street's family-owned Palestinian restaurant, and more.
Hello everyone,
Another Thursday, another newsletter. This week we're talking about Metro again: now that you know how local transit funding works, we can dive in and talk about fares. WMATA's two-year-old "Metro Lift" program reduces fares for low-income riders – but very few people are using it. A contributor for The 51st explores why that might be.
Plus, as usual, we've got your most important updates from this week at the Wilson Building: A hit to D.C.'s credit rating, more debates on secrecy and private meetings, and a snag for ranked choice voting.
Keep scrolling for a lovely look at a family-owned Palestinian restaurant on U Street, your weekend events, and more ways to get involved in local organizing, if that's your jam. Happy reading!
– Natalie
Overheard of the Week:
At a local playground, a 5-year-old boy is rolling down a hill.
Dad: “What are you doing?”
Son: “I’m a boy. I’m always doing something foolish and dangerous!”
Metro offers reduced fares for low-income riders, but there's not many takers
A reduced-fare program for SNAP recipients was introduced in June 2023, about six months after WMATA first ramped up fare enforcement. But nearly two years after its launch, less than 5% of eligible riders are using it.
Wilson Building Bulletin: D.C.'s budget woes continue
The weather may be looking up, but the news about D.C.’s budget certainly isn’t. Plus some more news on a bill allowing the D.C. Council to meet up in private more often, and a new snag for D.C.'s ranked choice voting initiative.
D.C.'s 'protest restaurant' brings Palestinian food and culture to U Street
Nabiha was born as an act of resistance. Following a verbal dispute with neighbors who were spray painting over pro-Palestinian signs, the owner's husband (who operates an adjacent restaurant) called her and said: "I'm putting up the biggest Palestinian flag on U Street ... and you're going to open a Palestinian restaurant."
15 things to do around D.C. this weekend
Whether you want a live outdoor show from local musicians or a comedy special from an SNL cast member, there are plenty of ways to be entertained this weekend.
Washington Gas hearing and RFK forum: Your weekly Civics Roundup
Fight your dread with some organizing and local activism, including workshops and talks on everything from utility hikes to the RFK Stadium to national protest movements.
Here's more news you may have missed this week:
- The company that's set to open a fancy water park at Poplar Point is accused of falsely representing its success to get a deal for a similar park in Canada. [WBJ, NYT]
- Oysters are rebounding in the Chesapeake Bay. [The Post]
- A look at how Ward 7 is fighting for equity and representation. [Informer]
- Tail Up Goat is closing its doors after 10 years in Adams Morgan. [Axios DC]
- Property managers for a Navy Yard apartment building emailed each other admitting to overcharging residents for utilities ... and then accidentally included a resident on the email chain. [WCP]
- All hail the dirt cheap martini. [Washingtonian]
- The city has reached a preliminary agreement with the Commanders about the redevelopment of RFK Stadium – and it would require taxpayers to pay $800 million. [The Post]
- Kennedy Street has gotten safer since the arrest of most of the Kennedy Street Crew, which the government says was a "driver of violence" in the neighborhood. The city's violence interrupters have also made a concentrated push to reduce conflict in the area. [The Post]
Thanks for reading!
-Natalie
