There’s so much news today, we’re just going to summarize it quickly:

• Washington‘s Metro is testing new seats on its trains that will be covered with fabric instead of the vinyl it has been using for the last thirty years. There will be more than one color tested.

• There’s increasing support in Baltimore for the construction of the $1.6 billion Red Line light rail system. It will run partially underground, partially overground, and complement the existing light and heavy rail systems in the city.

• Sound Transit in Seattle got a huge rebate on its plans for an extension of its light rail line underconstruction: bids for the University extension were under estimates by $10 million.

• San Francisco will be breaking ground on its Transbay Terminal today, which will serve as the site of a new tower, terminal for bus lines, and eventually as the end of the California High-Speed Rail Line from Los Angeles. Here’s an editorial criticizing the way it’s being implemented.

• The Hampton Roads-Norfolk light rail system in Virginia is getting a little over budget…

• Merrill Lynch suggests that Obama ought to prioritize mass transit as the major part of his stimulus package. Meanwhile, businesses in New York suggests the state could use $12 billion of infrastructure investment, including $6 billion just for NYC subway stations.