Bus

People have been driving about 1% less per year for the last 9 years. What can public-private partnerships for transportation alternatives do to stoke this fire?

January 26, 2014 - PlaceShakers

Though new streetcars, light rail, and subway projects get much of the attention, the lowly bus does most of the heavy public transit lifting across the U.S. Even in rail-heavy cities like Philadelphia and Chicago, bus ridership exceeds trains.

December 22, 2013 - Next City

A couple of months ago we told you about a new bicycle safety campaign being run by the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro). Apparently the memo didn't go out to Metro's bus drivers.

May 3, 2013 - LAist

Whet Moser looks at the revival of the intercity bus industry, despite its past inadequacies and stigmas. He discusses a new report that details the elements contributing to today's bus boom.

January 10, 2013 - Chicago Magazine

Even in cities without world-class transit systems, transit can reduce car ownership to some extent.

November 18, 2012 - Michael Lewyn

Angie Schmitt takes issue with the controversial premise of a recent story from the popular Freakonomics guys. True to their reputation for counter-intuition, their most recent report makes the claim that "driving is greener than transit."

November 16, 2012 - DC.Streetsblog

Described as a "train on wheels," the 98 feet long three-section bus that seats an astonishing 256 passengers is set to hit the streets of Dresden, Germany in October.

August 30, 2012 - tecca

The city and federal DOT have decided against a $600 million plan that would introduce light rail and, subsequently, more residents to the city. Instead, money will go to improving a notoriously unreliable bus system.

December 18, 2011 - The Wall Street Journal

In August, I moved into a high density apartment complex just 1.5 miles from my office and a five minute walk to a bus stop. One of the central advantages of the building's location was its access to alternative transportation modes. While I could park my car for "free" (the real cost is built into the lease), I was interested in keeping it parked as much as possible. Now, after nearly three months of experimentation, I'm ready to give up the bus, and the reasons are central to understanding the future of transit in the US.

November 2, 2011 - Samuel Staley

Bus rapid transit has seen a recent spike in interest, and with that interest has come the analysis that BRT takes away from light rail projects and vice versa. But as this post points out, they need each other and work better when both are around.

May 27, 2011 - the transport politic

Intercity bus travel is the fastest growing mode of travel for the third year in a row. This piece from New Geography looks at why.

April 25, 2011 - New Geography

TheCityFix's Jonna McKone profiles one of the most interesting subways in the world — Haifa's Carmelit funicular — and the city's BRT system.

October 31, 2010 - TheCityFix

Electronic passes used to board transit systems in the Seattle region could offer a new eye for Big Brother. According to privacy rights activists, the data in the employer-provided passes can be monitored by employers without employees' knowledge.

December 20, 2009 - The Seattle Times

San Antonio is wrapping up a month-long experiment that has offered free Wi-Fi internet access on some of its buses.

November 24, 2009 - The Houston Chronicle

A new web-based application that tracks the location of Washington D.C.'s Circulator bus has been released.DCist reports.

June 29, 2009 - DCist

A draft Environmental Impact Report is now underway to study the proposed routes and power sources for rail extensions south of Boston. Considerations include ridership, wetlands, smart growth benefits, and future development around train stations.

April 10, 2009 - The Boston Globe

This commentary from re:place magazine offers tips and insights into how one can ride transit like a pro.

March 1, 2009 - re:place

Manners Mall in Wellington, NZ, has been closed to all vehicles since the seventies. The City Council wants to restore buses through the walkway to improve service.

February 16, 2009 - The Dominion Post

Plans to replace Seattle's aging inner-city freeway with a $4.2 billion tunnel and expanded bus service have many lawmakers concerned about being able to raise enough money to make it happen.

February 11, 2009 - The Seattle Post-Intelligencer

A long-help plan to install GPS-ready bus tracking equipment to New York City buses has been pushed off indefinitely.

February 3, 2009 - NY1 News