New survey findings identify transit priorities among residents in D.C. and surrounding areas, and indicate broad support for public investments.
The Washington Area Bus Transformation Project surveyed almost 3,000 residents about their transit priorities. "Across age, racial backgrounds, and between regular riders and non-regular riders, respondents consistently chose bus lanes or free transfers as their number one priority, and the other one second in almost all cases," reports David Alpert.
The focus on bus lanes is consistent with a Washington Post poll that shows strong support from a majority of Washington-area and D.C. residents. The strong desire for free transfers also makes sense, says Alpert. "Among transit agencies that operate both bus and rail, the majority let people transfer between the two for free. WMATA has the most punitive structure for bus-rail riders, with people having to pay two full fares less a 50¢ discount.”
The Bus Transformation Project survey also asked respondents if they thought these changes would transform bus service and if they supported the use of public funds. "For transformational, 85% said these would be, and 82% favored spending public dollars on them," says Alpert.
FULL STORY: Bus lanes and free transfers are Washington area residents’ top bus priorities
When a Planner Commutes by Bus: Score Card
Commitment gets tested when a dedicated urbanist, transit rider, and L.A. County planner is relocate to a suburban office. Clement Lau shares his thoughts about the good and the bad of riding an L.A. Metro bus.
Ottawa's Rapid Transit Corridor Design Approved
Twenty-four stations and a new dedicated bus lane have been approved in Canada's capital city.
APTA Requests CDL Testing Change to Address Bus Operator Shortage
Eighty-four percent of U.S. transit agencies surveyed said CDL complexity was a hiring obstacle, with the “under-the-hood” requirement being the most challenging.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
Restaurant Patios Were a Pandemic Win — Why Were They so Hard to Keep?
Social distancing requirements and changes in travel patterns prompted cities to pilot new uses for street and sidewalk space. Then it got complicated.
Map: Where Senate Republicans Want to Sell Your Public Lands
For public land advocates, the Senate Republicans’ proposal to sell millions of acres of public land in the West is “the biggest fight of their careers.”
Maui's Vacation Rental Debate Turns Ugly
Verbal attacks, misinformation campaigns and fistfights plague a high-stakes debate to convert thousands of vacation rentals into long-term housing.
San Francisco Suspends Traffic Calming Amidst Record Deaths
Citing “a challenging fiscal landscape,” the city will cease the program on the heels of 42 traffic deaths, including 24 pedestrians.
California Homeless Arrests, Citations Spike After Ruling
An investigation reveals that anti-homeless actions increased up to 500% after Grants Pass v. Johnson — even in cities claiming no policy change.
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
JM Goldson LLC
Custer County Colorado
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
Transportation Research & Education Center (TREC) at Portland State University
Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Claremont
Municipality of Princeton (NJ)