With the Northgate link light rail expansion project nearing completion and the effects of the pandemic lingering, Sound Transit will change its bus routes in 2021. The transit authority focuses on equity in plotting the route changes.
Recently released, Sound Transit's 2021 Draft Service Plan reacts to a sharp decline in ridership by prioritizing the most active routes with a focus on "balancing equity, coverage, and all-day travel," describes Shaun Kuo. While ridership slowly increases at a snail's pace, the Transit Authority, responsible for service in the Seattle metropolitan area is planning for pandemic impacts to stretch into 2021.
Their draft plan explains changes in seven ST Express routes and investment in service increases for other routes caused by the upcoming completion of the Northgate link light rail expansion project.
Vital to the drafted plan is a focus on equity. Kuo explains:
The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) requires analysis documents of how a service change impact people of color and low-income populations. Service for these populations are of high priority for the 2021 plan due their higher dependency on public resources like public transit... Sound Transit is planning to reach out to all community, hoping to reach populations that typically not tapped into the agency’s operations. Advertising in non-White media, translations, and Language Line services are planned.
FULL STORY: Sound Transit 2021 Draft Service Plan Prioritizes Transit-Dependent Communities, Focuses on Link
The Realities of Pandemic Public Transit Service
Recent analysis by TransitCenter quantifies the effects of the pandemic for the 150 largest U.S. transit systems.
D.C. Metro Seeks Public Input on Proposed Service Cuts
D.C. Metro Seeks Public Input on Proposed Service Cuts
Resident Sues MARTA for Suspending Bus Service Due to the Coronavirus
A local transit advocate is using legal pressure in an effort to hold the Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA) accountable for bus transit cuts in the early months of the pandemic.
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.
Texas Bills Could Push More People Into Homelessness
A proposal to speed up the eviction process and a bill that would accelerate enforcement of an existing camping ban could make the state’s homelessness crisis worse, advocates say.
USGS Water Science Centers Targeted for Closure
If their work is suspended, states could lose a valuable resource for monitoring, understanding, and managing water resources.
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.
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