Midweek Roundup: Why, Robot

Reminder: The FIFA World Cup starts tomorrow and the first match in Seattle is Monday, June 15, at noon. Plan for busy buses, trains, roadways, and lots of tourists. SDOT has travel tips. Metro has an SEA26 transit guide. Community Transit offers ways to Ride to Summer Fun. Pierce Transit is running a Fan Zone Express" shuttle to Puyallup Tribe events.

Local Transit:

• The Gig Harbor Waterfront Connector will run from June 12 to August 23 (Pierce Transit)
• Bus Network Boost from Wilson's Seattle Transit Measure Comes Into Focus (The Urbanist)
• Op-Ed: It's Time to Reform Sound Transit (The Urbanist)
• SDOT offering free e-cargo bike permits for Seattle businesses through 2026 to reduce truck traffic (SDOT Blog)
• WA ferries ups service for World Cup in Seattle (The Seattle Times, $; free via SPL)
• King County Metro's public bathroom pilot has started at the Aurora Village and Burien Transit Centers (Mass Transit Magazine). Also on Metro Matters.
• Sound Transit study suggests fare gates at 14 busy stations by 2030 (The Seattle Times, $); additional coverage by The Urbanist.
• Community Transit wants your input on its 6-year Transit Development Plan by July 2.
• King County Metro's Behavioral Health Support Program supports riders in crisis and helps create a safer transit environment (Metro Matters).
• Join Sound Transit's Community Oversight Panel (The Platform)
• Sound Transit Loses Megaproject Head in Wake of Major ST3 Update (The Urbanist)

Land Use:

• Legal Appeal from MLB Stadium Authority Restarts Stadium District Housing Saga (The Urbanist)
• Seattle's first social housing building draws more than 10K applicants (The Seattle Times, $)
• Op-Ed: Bellevue's Wilburton Housing Policy Actually Builds Housing (The Urbanist)
• Waterfront parks reopen along Seattle's Elliott Bay (KUOW)

Elsewhere:

• Why, Robot: Driverless Taxis Spend As Much Time Without Passengers as Normal Taxis, Study Shows (Streetsblog USA)
• World Cup Host Cities Bet on Transit Improvements That Outlast the Tournament (Next City)

This is an Open Thread. Uncivil comments will be moderated.