Over the next few months, Congress will continue to debate health insurance reform, and in particular, whether to create a "public option"- a government-financed insurance company which would compete with private
health insurers. Opponents of the public option fear that the government package might drive private insurers out of business. Are such concerns legitimate? American transportation history may give ammunition to both supporters and opponents of the public option.
Mass Transit
Public Options in Transit and Health Care
Thu, 11/05/2009 - 11:15
Save the T from Ruin
The Metropolitan Area Planning Council will unveil a new plan for growth and preservation in Greater Boston, which calls for a new pattern of development based on "Smart Growth".
The Boston Globe
Nation's Largest Mass Transit Project is under Way
The second passenger rail tunnel beneath the Hudson River will link New Jersey with New York and will also double the capacity on the nation's busiest rail corridor.
CNN
Selling Naming Rights for Light Rail
The Metro's Rail Management Committee of East Valley is considering trading the naming rights of light rail stations for revenue.
East Valley Tribune
"Rescue" Bill for New York's Mass Transit
The solution to transportation problems in New York lies not just with the city and the state, but also with the federal government.
DMI BLOG
Nashville Mayor Seeks Regional Transit
Mayor Karl Dean of Nashville, TN spoke yesterday about his belief that the area needs a regional transit system, and now. Said Dean, "We need to be bold, not afraid and push forward fast."
The Tennessean
If A German Town Can Go Car-Free, Why Not America?
An article in the New York Times this week profiled Vauban, Germany, a town without cars. NYTime's Room for Debate Blog asked planners and developers to envision a car-free town in America.
The New York Times
Accelerating Mass Transit
It's an exciting time for transit advocates, says Peter Gertler, vice president and high speed rail services chairman for HNTB Corporation. Here are five steps Gertler says will keep mass transit moving forward, and build a more balanced transportation policy.
How States are Divvying Up the Transportation Money
This article provides a general breakdown of how state governments plan to use the first installment of transportation spending money from the stimulus. The leeway states have in how to spend has sparked debates among legislators.
The New York Times
Predicting the Future of U.S. Suburbs
No drastic changes will occur in American suburbs over the next quarter century, Columbia University professor contends.
Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy--Rutgers
Shrinking Budgets May Hurt Ridership Levels
Many commuters still find buses, trains, and subways to be more cost-effective than driving. However, mass transit funds are drying up, and increased fees and decreased service may deter riders from sticking to mass transit.
Los Angeles Times
Are We Resuscitating a Dinosaur?
A panel of experts weighs in. Is rebuilding rail transit the way of the future, or just reviving a system that should stay extinct?
The Hawaii Reporter
Sydney Pins New Growth to Mass Transit Plans
Officials in Sydney, Australia, are creating a blueprint for the city that envisions a broad mass transit system, increased density in the inner city and the suburbs and a much higher skyline.
The Sydney Morning Herald
BRT Fails in Delhi
The Bus Rapid Transit System has failed to meet the demands of New Delhi's riders and pedestrians. A better strategy, according to one report, is to improve its mass transit instead.
The Indian Express
Rapid Buses To Serve Suburbs?
A local leader in the suburban Maryland/Washington DC area proposes aggressive use of "rapid buses" in dedicated lanes to accommodate growth, like other jurisdictions in the U.S.
Washington Post
$1/Gallon Gas Consumption Tax Proposal
In this Mercury News Op-Ed, San Jose State University Professor Larry Gerston proposes this bold tax for mass transit and alternative energy programs. It yields $175 billion annually and creates green jobs, enabling us to determine our destiny.
Mercury News
In Total, $75 Billion Approved for Mass Transit
Last week, a majority of transportation initiatives were approved by voters. This is good news for transit advocates, but risks still loom.
The Wall Street Journal
Riding in Peace
'Quiet' cars on trains -- where cell phones and loud headphones are banned -- are widely popular. So why aren't more transit agencies making designated quiet cars?
The New York Sun
Couple Exploits Broken Transit Ticket Machine for $800k
In the wake of a recent scandal with MIT students hacking the subway comes a story of a Long Island couple who stumbled into a glitch in a ticket machine and exploited it for $800,000 in free tickets.
Newsday
High Gas Prices Breathe New Life into DC's TOD
The cost of commuting is beginning to trump federal policies favoring exurban development, and transit ridership is at a fifty year high.
The Washington Post
Planetizen picks
Contribute
- Higher Fees Drive Developers to Outskirts
- Embracing Entrepreneurship to Revive Cleveland
- Replacing Empty Storefronts With Fake Ones
- Forecasting the New American Economy
- Finding Ways to Create "Emerald Necklaces" in Built-Out Cities
- The Urban Farms of New York
- Introducing the "Parklet"
- Israeli Housing Plan Draws Ire of Peace Negotiators
- Waterfront Rail Plans Advance in Philadelphia
- Detroit Makes Big Hire to Aid Downsizing
Conventional Planning May Be Contributing to Cleveland's Decline -- Samuel Staley
Inside the City of RVs -- Nate Berg
Parking Policy Reform More Important Than LEED Certification -- Todd Litman
Exploring Web 2.0 in Urban Planning -- Chris Steins
Sprawl In Canada and the U.S.: A Comparison -- Michael Lewyn
Baltimore & New Orleans Select INDEX for Regional Visioning Support
Criterion Planners
Mar 18, 2010
FREE Upcoming IEDC Webinar: Carbon Cap and Trade and Economic Development
International Economic Development Council
Mar 18, 2010
Request for Statements of Qualifications for State Route 239 Phase 1 (Planning)
Contra Costa County Department of Conservation and Development
Mar 16, 2010
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