Mid-Size Cities Struggle to Provide Reliable Transit

Smaller transit agencies face some unique challenges.

2 minute read

January 18, 2024, 6:00 AM PST

By Diana Ionescu @aworkoffiction


Red public bus on street in San Antonio, Texas with line of four red e-scooters on sidewalk.

Wangkun Jia / Adobe Stock

While the focus of transit coverage skews toward big cities, mid-sized cities face their own transit struggles. In a piece in Streetsblog USA, Kea Wilson explains why smaller cities have a hard time maintaining reliable public transit systems.

A new analysis points to “the unique challenges of maintaining stable service in relatively less-populous urban areas that often gobble up outsized swaths of land” as a major reason why mid-sized cities had less reliable transit.

The article highlights cities like Baltimore, Orlando, Denver, and Sacramento, which all feature sprawling, car-dependent metro areas that “push residents to live and work on the auto-oriented edges of town and leave transit behind completely, starving agencies of the fares they need to make service improvements and making matters worse for the riders who remain.”

Smaller transit agencies face the same challenges as larger ones across the nation, including staffing shortages and budget shortfalls that make it difficult to improve service. Many also have a hard time tracking their service frequency and reliability because their vehicles lack GPS or other tracking devices. Meanwhile, a lack of dedicated transit infrastructure in smaller regions means bus service is impacted by car traffic. 

Some, like Portland and San Antonio, still rate highly for transit reliability for their combination of service and data availability. “And if Baltimore and cities like it can't follow their lead, it doesn't bode well for their ability to deliver everything else a great transit network can provide.”

Wednesday, January 17, 2024 in Streetsblog USA

courses user

As someone new to the planning field, Planetizen has been the perfect host guiding me into planning and our complex modern challenges. Corey D, Transportation Planner

As someone new to the planning field, Planetizen has been the perfect host guiding me into planning and our complex modern challenges.

Corey D, Transportation Planner

Ready to give your planning career a boost?

Graphic with blue background, flags, and text reading 2024 Presidential Election

Where 2024 Presidential Candidates Stand on 12 Issues Important to Urban Planners

Whether you’re yet undecided or have already cast your early vote, here is a roundup of the key positions of Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump on important urban planning policies.

October 31, 2024 - Planetizen

Amtrak Coast Starlight passenger train passing over bridge in Altamont Pass, California.

Amtrak Expanding Service in California’s Central Valley

Amtrak is planning a major expansion to the passenger rail lines connecting the Central Valley and the Bay Area.

November 4, 2024 - The Modesto Bee

Affordable housing

Commentary: How Can We Solve America’s Affordable Housing Crisis? CDFIs are the Key

As financial institutions whose mission is to support underserved communities, community development financial institutions can be key partners to ensure public-private efforts to build affordable housing pencil out.

October 31, 2024 - Bernel Hall

Two rusty, abandoned oil pumps in rural Texas.

Addressing Orphan Wells for Environmental Justice

Remediating and repurposing some orphan oil and gas wells into parks can turn environmental hazards into community assets, promoting health, environmental justice, and accessible green space for underserved areas.

3 hours ago - Progressive City

Herd of Caribou in Arctic National Wildlife Refuge in Alaska with snowy mountains in background.

Biden Administration Moves to Protect Alaskan Refuge From Drilling

The administration is taking quick action to cement some of Biden’s key environmental accomplishments before the new Trump administration takes the reins.

5 hours ago - CNN

Panoramic view of downtown Denver, Colorado.

Denver Slaughterhouse Measure Reveals Impacts of Meat Industry

Voters did not approve a measure that would have closed a slaughterhouse that is key to the nation’s lamb production.

November 8 - The Conversation