Overcoming lawsuits and controversy, Albuquerque opened the Albuquerque Rapid Transit to partial service over the holiday weekend.
The Albuquerque Rapid Transit (ART) electric bus launched partial operation, celebrating the occasion offering free service to and from the Albuquerque BioPark’s River of Lights event on Friday and Saturday nights.
Maddy Hayden and Matthew Reisen report on the first days of the new service over the holiday weekend. "There was one hiccup, however: On Saturday evening, an ART bus shuttling riders to the show collided with a car whose driver made an illegal left turn, said ART Project Manager Dayna Crawford."
As noted in the article, the $126 million project has faced controversy and lawsuits on its path to opening day. The project also still has work to do: "Construction on the controversial project that involves connecting around 10 miles of Central from Unser to Louisiana via fully electric, articulated buses is expected to be completed by the beginning of next year."
In one additional bit of news that will appeal to public transit enthusiasts, the Institute for Transportation and Development Policy awarded ART the Gold Standard for Bus Rapid Transit Standard. "It’s the first BRT system in the country to receive the top designation," according to Hayden and Reisen.
FULL STORY: ART’s a hit at the start
Bus Rapid Transit Opens to the Public in Albuquerque
A long-awaited bus rapid transit system has opened to the public this weekend, a cause for celebration in Albuquerque,.
Opponents Delay Albuquerque's Bus Rapid Transit with Lawsuits
A well organized opposition to a planned Bus Rapid Transit line in Albuquerque, New Mexico has stalled the beginning of construction on the new transit line with lawsuits.
Albuquerque Approves 10-Mile Bus Rapid Transit Project
Now that the Albuquerque City Council has approved a plan to create bus-only lanes on Central Avenue, the city will seek federal funding for the project.
Trump Administration Could Effectively End Housing Voucher Program
Federal officials are eyeing major cuts to the Section 8 program that helps millions of low-income households pay rent.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
Ken Jennings Launches Transit Web Series
The Jeopardy champ wants you to ride public transit.
Driving Equity and Clean Air: California Invests in Greener School Transportation
California has awarded $500 million to fund 1,000 zero-emission school buses and chargers for educational agencies as part of its effort to reduce pollution, improve student health, and accelerate the transition to clean transportation.
Congress Moves to End Reconnecting Communities and Related Grants
The House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee moved to rescind funding for the Neighborhood Equity and Access program, which funds highway removals, freeway caps, transit projects, pedestrian infrastructure, and more.
From Throughway to Public Space: Taking Back the American Street
How the Covid-19 pandemic taught us new ways to reclaim city streets from cars.
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.
Heyer Gruel & Associates PA
Ada County Highway District
Institute for Housing and Urban Development Studies (IHS)
City of Grandview
Harvard GSD Executive Education
Toledo-Lucas County Plan Commissions
Salt Lake City
NYU Wagner Graduate School of Public Service