Regional governance and more bus lanes are needed to improve ridership, according to a new study.

Faiz Siddiqui reports on initial findings from an analysis of Washington D.C.’s regional bus network that seeks to identify the reasons for declines in ridership.
The study, a joint effort between the Eno Center for Transportation and the Boston Consulting Group, finds that bus lanes have not been a priority in the metropolitan region and, as a result, bus speeds have decreased and led to $30 million of additional labor and fuel costs.
The analysis also provided detailed characteristics about Metrobus riders, who make up about three-quarters of the region’s bus riders. Almost half are low-income and travel during off-peak times, most live in the District, and 85 percent do not transfer to the rail system.
"[The project] will likely recommend a more regional governance structure and a clearer delineation of funding sources — rather than disparate jurisdictional bus subsidies covering routes in their municipalities," says Siddiqui.
FULL STORY: Region’s bus network is too slow, complex, and increasingly threatened by competition, analysis says

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.
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