State-run buses and subway trains in Baltimore have breakdown rates far higher than systems in other cities.

"Maryland Transit Administration vehicles [in Baltimore] fail or break down far more often than in most other comparable cities, according to the most recent Federal Transit Administration data," writes Luke Broadwater.
State legislators are proposing $500 million of funding per year for the MTA over the next six years.
"One reason why Maryland has fallen behind other cities, [MTA CEO Kevin B. Quinn Jr.] said, is that several years ago the agency missed a deadline to make its annual purchase of new buses to replace those that are falling apart," reports Broadwater.
MTA officials say they have a $211 million plan to replace aging buses over the next five years. The agency also will fund a $160 million overhaul of the Light Rail train fleet and spend another $400 million to replace signals and railcars in the Metro SubwayLink system.
[Update: For reporting on how the Maryland Transit Administration is responding to the coronavirus, including one driver testing positive for the virus, see an article by Alex Holt, published by Greater Greater Washington on March 25.]

Study: Maui’s Plan to Convert Vacation Rentals to Long-Term Housing Could Cause Nearly $1 Billion Economic Loss
The plan would reduce visitor accommodation by 25,% resulting in 1,900 jobs lost.

Placekeeping: Setting a New Precedent for City Planners
How a preservation-based approach to redevelopment and urban design can prevent displacement and honor legacy communities.

Using Old Oil and Gas Wells for Green Energy Storage
Penn State researchers have found that repurposing abandoned oil and gas wells for geothermal-assisted compressed-air energy storage can boost efficiency, reduce environmental risks, and support clean energy and job transitions.

Washington State Plans Ambitious ‘Cycle Highway’ Network
The state is directing funding to close gaps in its existing bike network and make long-distance trips more accessible.

Homeowners Blame PG&E for Delays in ADU Permits
The utility says it has dramatically reduced its backlog, but applicants say they still face months-long delays for approvals for new electrical work.

Rethinking Wildfire Defense: How a Landscape Approach Can Protect Neighborhoods
Post-fire analysis of the Eaton Fire reveals that a landscape approach — including fire-resistant vegetation, home hardening, and strategic planning — can help reduce wildfire risk, challenging assumptions that trees and plants are primary fire hazards.
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