Vox's popular video explainer production team explains the consequences of U.S. auto dependency, and how to make transit work in the world we live in.
A new video posted by Vox provides explanation and illustration of the great challenge facing public transit in a country that has spent a century prioritizing the automobile.
The key trope the video deals with is how U.S. transit systems were built to service regional commuters, from outside the city into downtowns. This downtown orientation doesn't serve the most common commute, according to the video: suburb to suburb.
The consequences of all of the country's suburban commutes are immense—measured in terms of economic and environmental impacts, but the video presents ideas about how to solve those problems by getting more people into transit. The question this video endeavors to answer: how can public transit be useful for more Americans? The lesson for Americans is obvious: it's possible to increase ridership by funding improved operations of buses, even in suburban communities.
The video also presents the ideas of transportation planning in context of the 2020 presidential election and state of politics in the United States.
FULL STORY: Why American public transit is so bad
Next Up for Bus System Redesign: Norfolk, Virginia
The Norfolk City Council will vote in February on a draft transit system redesign organized around the principle of a high frequency grid, similar to system redesigns in other cities in recent years.
Draft RideKC Bus System Redesign Announced
The RideKC bus system is being redesigned on a high frequency grid.
Bus System Redesign Coming to the Cleveland Region
The Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority (RTA) revealed a draft system redesign this week.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
Chicago’s Ghost Rails
Just beneath the surface of the modern city lie the remnants of its expansive early 20th-century streetcar system.
Amtrak Cutting Jobs, Funding to High-Speed Rail
The agency plans to cut 10 percent of its workforce and has confirmed it will not fund new high-speed rail projects.
Ohio Forces Data Centers to Prepay for Power
Utilities are calling on states to hold data center operators responsible for new energy demands to prevent leaving consumers on the hook for their bills.
MARTA CEO Steps Down Amid Citizenship Concerns
MARTA’s board announced Thursday that its chief, who is from Canada, is resigning due to questions about his immigration status.
Silicon Valley ‘Bike Superhighway’ Awarded $14M State Grant
A Caltrans grant brings the 10-mile Central Bikeway project connecting Santa Clara and East San Jose closer to fruition.
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.
Caltrans
City of Fort Worth
Mpact (founded as Rail~Volution)
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
City of Portland
City of Laramie