Transit surges during major concerts and sporting events are becoming a trend, prompting cities to add specialized transit service to handle extra crowds.
Houston’s Metropolitan Transit Authority (Metro) is taking lessons from recent surges in transit use during Taylor Swift concerts, adding more trains and shuttle buses to downtown in anticipation of hometown heroine Beyoncé’s show at NRG Park this weekend, writes Dug Begley in the Houston Chronicle.
“This isn’t so much Plan B, as much as Plan Bey.”
Metro spokesperson Tracy Jackson said the agency is adding shuttle buses to take people leaving the event to Central Station Main to avoid overcrowding on the NRG Park platform. “In April, Swifties surged Metro use for the three-night stint of Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour at NRG. For the three days, Metro logged 136,000 light rail trips, of which 35,000 were attributed to the Swift shows, transit officials said.”
FULL STORY: Beyoncé’s Houston concerts see Metro prepare for swarms of fans
Houston Metro Plan Centers Safety, Accessibility
A new plan from the city’s transit agency focuses on improving the rider experience and boosting safety, but remains uncommitted to previous plans to build new BRT lines.
Houston Could Launch New Bike Share
Metro is considering a contract with a new operator that would focus bike share service on major transit hubs.
Houston Metro Seeks Proposals for Transit-Oriented Development
The agency will assess ways to more effectively use its surface parking lots and encourage more mixed-use development near transit hubs.
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?
King County Supportive Housing Program Offers Hope for Unhoused Residents
The county is taking a ‘Housing First’ approach that prioritizes getting people into housing, then offering wraparound supportive services.
Researchers Use AI to Get Clearer Picture of US Housing
Analysts are using artificial intelligence to supercharge their research by allowing them to comb through data faster. Though these AI tools can be error prone, they save time and housing researchers are optimistic about the future.
Making Shared Micromobility More Inclusive
Cities and shared mobility system operators can do more to include people with disabilities in planning and operations, per a new report.
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.
planning NEXT
Appalachian Highlands Housing Partners
Mpact (founded as Rail~Volution)
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
City of Portland
City of Laramie