Once the subway's pride, R-32 'Brightliner' trains that operate on the C line will soon disappear from service. Mid-century promo videos notwithstanding, the line's rolling stock was in dire need of an update.
Travelers on New York's C line recently have faced long waits, jarring rides, and general wear and tear. While the route's ridership is generally lower than other lines, there has been an upswing and commuters are unhappy. From the article: "Despite its shortcomings, ridership on the C — like the rest of the system — is on the rise. According to MTA spokesman Kevin Ortiz, 2014 growth along C train stations in Brooklyn is on par with system-wide growth: 2.7 percent versus 2.4 percent for all subway lines."
Kate Hinds discusses the Metropolitan Transit Authority's long struggle to upgrade the trains. "Finally in 2012, the MTA cobbled together the money and put in an order for replacements. But last year Bombardier, the cars' manufacturer, reported that there were welding problems with the prototype car. Now it looks like the new trains — model number R-179 — will come in in 2017."
The article includes a link to a 1964 promotional video for the subway and its then-new Brightliner cars. Catchy tune.
FULL STORY: The Lament of the C Train Rider
Oregon Passes Exemption to Urban Growth Boundary
Cities have a one-time chance to acquire new land for development in a bid to increase housing supply and affordability.
Where Urban Design Is Headed in 2024
A forecast of likely trends in urban design and architecture.
Savannah: A City of Planning Contrasts
From a human-scales, plaza-anchored grid to suburban sprawl, the oldest planned city in the United States has seen wildly different development patterns.
Washington Tribes Receive Resilience Funding
The 28 grants support projects including relocation efforts as coastal communities face the growing impacts of climate change.
Adaptive Reuse Bills Introduced in California Assembly
The legislation would expand eligibility for economic incentives and let cities loosen regulations to allow for more building conversions.
LA's Top Parks, Ranked
TimeOut just released its list of the top 26 parks in the L.A. area, which is home to some of the best green spaces around.
City of Rochester
Boston Harbor Now
City of Bellevue
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
Mpact Transit + Community
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
City of Birmingham, Alabama
City of Laramie, Wyoming
Colorado Department of Local Affairs
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.