From public transit to public parks to public space, this past week brought a lot of interesting and innovative ideas in the world of urban planning.
Public Transit
Northwest Drivers Use A Gallon Less Than the National Average
Motorists in Oregon, Washington and Idaho are using less gas per week than the average American. A recent report credits the region's public transit systems and land use policies for the reduction in fuel consumption.
The Oregonian
Plans Unveiled for New York City's First 'Transitway'
The New York City Department of Transportation and the Metropolitan Transit Authority unveiled the city's current Bus Rapid Transit program earlier this week, including a project that would "redefine the public realm" on Manhattan's 34th Street.
Streetsblog
Friday Funny: A Tight Fit
These two videos show the downside of high public transit ridership.
Chilloutzone.de, YouTube
The Real Problem With Transit: Lack Of Customer Service
Forget slogans and fancy trains. If transit agencies just focused on getting people where they need to go in a consistent, reliable (and preferably quicker) way, more people would abandon their cars.
The Toronto Star
Enhancing Public Transit With Wi-Fi
Some transit agencies are hoping to woo riders by providing internet access on bus and rail vehicles, allowing commuters to check email and surf the web on the way to work.
Wi-Fi Planet
Transit Ridership Is Up, But So Are Costs
More and more people are riding public transit systems, which many officials see as a good sign. But the added strains to the systems are placing many in tight financial situations.
U.S. News & World Report
Honolulu Light Rail Plans Expected to Receive Nearly $1 Billion
Politicians in Washington D.C. are getting behind Honolulu's plans for a $3.7 billion light rail system, calling it the "most efficient light rail project in the country".
Great Falls Connection
Best Ideas of the Week
Fri, 04/04/2008 - 16:00
Another week has passed, and some more exciting and interesting ideas have taken root in the world of urban planning.
Sales Tax for Transit Catching on in Twin Cities
Five counties in metropolitan Minneapolis have approved the creation of a new quarter-cent sales tax that will be dedicated to funding transit projects.
Minneapolis-St. Paul Star Tribune
British Columbians Ditching Cars
More people in British Columbia are responding to higher gas prices by ditching their cars and rising bikes, taking transit and walking, according to a recent survey.
The Vancouver Sun
Calling for Statewide TOD in New Jersey
This editorial calls on the state of New Jersey to take advantage of the fact that it has one of the country's largest mass transit network and to better site homes and development near transit.
The Times (New Jersey)
Salt Lake Transit Authority Accused of Misusing Funds
In Salt Lake City, advocates for bus riders have asked the state attorney general to investigate whether the Utah Transit Authority has skewed its ridership figures to gain public support for major investments, which they say is a misuse of funding.
The Salt Lake Tribune
Locals Apprehensively Excited About Sydney's Big Transit Plans
A recently announced $12.5 billion metropolitan rail system plan for Sydney has many in the region excited about finally getting a good mass transit system. But they are also wary, as many other proposals promising similar services were never kept.
The Sydney Morning Herald
Friday Funny: The End of America's Love Affair with the Car
Assuming everything is fine in its long-time relationship with America, the car comes home to an unhappy surprise in this cartoon from Streetsblog.
Streetsblog
Comprehensive Tolling Idea Meet Criticism in D.C.
A proposal to place tolls on many of the highways around Washington D.C. is being blasted by critics, who say planners should place more emphasis on providing better transit services than charging commuters left with few options.
The Washington Post
The Pains of Popularity
San Diego's downtown trolley service is becoming too popular, causing officials to propose equipment upgrades to handle the rising crowds. But the bigger trolleys will take out some car lanes and affect traffic lights, and many are unhappy about it.
San Diego City Beat
Planning a Smart Transit Future in Tampa Bay
With a newly formed regional transit authority, Tampa Bay, Florida, may be ready for a regional transit system. Many want to do it right.
The Tampa Tribune
After Bus Shutdown, City Considers Mass Carpooling
Residents in the small town of Qualicum Beach on Vancouver Island are starting a citywide carpooling program to help provide for people without cars after the city's underused public transit system was shut down.
The Vancouver Sun
Slow Transit? Put it Underground
This piece from the San Francisco Chronicle argues that the best way to improve the city's sluggish public transit system is to put it underground.
The San Francisco Chronicle
