News of a potential economic stimulus package in Congress is followed by news that two of the nation's most prominent transit systems are reducing cuts proposed to address plummeting revenues.
"The Metropolitan Transportation Authority is backing off from approving the so-called 'doomsday budget' that would have seen major cuts to subway and bus service in the city," according to an article by Spectrum News.
The MTA previously announced a proposed budget that would have cut 40 percent of weekday subway service and laid off more than 9,000 employees.
The positive news for the MTA's budget comes as reports from Washington, D.C. indicate that Congress seems to have cleared the logjam regarding a stimulus package that would include funding for public transit agencies. According to the Spectrum News, the MTA is expecting $4 billion as part of the package being negotiated now.
As of this writing, Congress seems poised to approve a $900 billion stimulus package, as reported by Politico and The New York Times.
In similar news from the Boston region, the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) has also scaled back promised service cuts, keeping some of the T routes that it proposed shutting down in November. The MBTA is still running a reduced service schedule to deal with COVID illnesses among system workers. Although the MBTA scaled back cuts, "riders will face longer waits between buses and trains, and 20 bus routes are still slated for elimination," according to an article by Christian MilNeil that updates the MBTA's service plans.
FULL STORY: Sources: MTA Backs Off So-Called 'Doomsday Budget'
D.C. Metro Seeks Public Input on Proposed Service Cuts
D.C. Metro Seeks Public Input on Proposed Service Cuts
What's in the New Economic Stimulus Package for U.S. Transit Agencies
A new economic stimulus package that appears headed for approval as of this writing will give $15 billion to public transit, far less than transit advocates had hoped, but far better than nothing.
New York MTA Plans Catastrophic Service and Employment Cuts
A vague threat, present since the beginning of the pandemic, is now much more defined in New York City, as transit riders get an idea of what pandemic austerity looks like for the city's mobility. Congress can still save transit agencies.
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.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
In Urban Planning, AI Prompting Could be the New Design Thinking
Creativity has long been key to great urban design. What if we see AI as our new creative partner?
How Trump's HUD Budget Proposal Would Harm Homelessness Response
Experts say the change to the HUD budget would make it more difficult to identify people who are homeless and connect them with services, and to prevent homelessness.
The Vast Potential of the Right-of-Way
One writer argues that the space between two building faces is the most important element of the built environment.
Florida Seniors Face Rising Homelessness Risk
High housing costs are pushing more seniors, many of them on a fixed income, into homelessness.
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.
Gallatin County Department of Planning & Community Development
Heyer Gruel & Associates PA
JM Goldson LLC
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
Transportation Research & Education Center (TREC) at Portland State University
Jefferson Parish Government
Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Claremont