Chronically underfunded rural public transit systems are key lifelines are economic engines for rural communities.
A study of rural transit in Illinois reveals that every dollar the state invests in public transit in rural areas returns close to $4 in economic value through improved health outcomes, increased workforce participation, reduced strain on social services, and other economic activity.
According to an article in UIC Today, the study from the Urban Transportation Center at the University of Illinois Chicago’s College of Urban Planning and Public Affairs quantified the benefits of rural transit to understand how transit investments in small communities impact residents.
Lead researcher P.S. Sriraj says the study can give transit agencies a framework for demonstrating why rural transit is important. “If an agency can show that every dollar invested yields significant returns, it strengthens their case when articulating their needs to decision makers.”
FULL STORY: Rural public transit yields nearly $4 for every dollar spent, study estimates
The Importance of Rural Transit
On Transit Equity Day, reminding policymakers that rural communities need access to transit too.
Congress Hears Rural Transportation Challenges
A Congressional subcommittee heard testimony from rural transportation officials, transit providers, and lawmakers.
Minnesota, Vermont Experiment With Rural Trip Planning Websites
Pilot programs in the two states aimed to make transit information more accessible for riders in rural areas, where on-demand and microtransit services make trip planning more complex.
The state-sanctioned urbicide of Austin
People don’t kill cities. Freeways do.
US to reduce Colorado River water deliveries to Mexico
A new Colorado Treaty amendment reduces Mexico’s Colorado River water allocation by 250,000 acre feet.
New Jersey’s second-largest city bans standalone data centers
Jersey City will continue to allow co-location facilities, such as those meant for research institutions that store their own data.
Amtrak not solely to blame for New Jersey commuter rail's unreliability, report finds
A new study from the Garden State Initiative found that NJ Transit’s budget grew 20% across a 4 year period, but reliability declined significantly over the same period.
EPA erases limits on planet-warming pollution from power plants
Under Monday’s plan, power plants would still have some limits on how much mercury, arsenic and other contaminants they can emit.
Phoenix announces new on-demand transit service, more frequent RAPID buses
Both new services will launch in October, and are part of Phoenix's Project Effective Access Solutions for Easing Congestion.
FREE Course: Walkable City 1: Why Walkability?
After describing his path towards focusing on walkability as the essence of good planning, Jeff Speck marches through his five principal reasons for making more walkable places.
Reinventing Malls: Planning Alchemy—Turning Gray Fields Into Gold
The course focuses on the opportunities and imperatives that shape reinvention of mall sites.
Eagle County Government
Harvard University Graduate School of Design
Nashville Planning Department
The Architects Foundation
University of Cincinnati Online
The Pocatello Development Authority
The Urban Renewal Agency of the City of Pocatello
Journal of the American Planning Association